Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Communication with the Citizens
Izgrev District
Background
The main aim of the municipal administration of Izgrev District is to stimulate civil society and strengthen citizens participation in local self-government. The methods chosen by the municipal government aim the achievement of beneficial communication with the citizens in the process of finding opportunities for dialogue, outlining the present problems and optimization of the possible solutions in accordance with the resources, rights and powers delegated by the Municipal Council of Izgrev District.
The main aim of the municipal administration of Izgrev District is to stimulate civil society and strengthen citizens participation in local self-government. The methods chosen by the municipal government aim the achievement of beneficial communication with the citizens in the process of finding opportunities for dialogue, outlining the present problems and optimization of the possible solutions in accordance with the resources, rights and powers delegated by the Municipal Council of Izgrev District.
Practice
The solution of problems in the sphere of local self-government depends on the proximity or remoteness of local executive government from the citizens and the aspiration of the municipal administration for adequate dialogue with them. The district administration finds several successful ways by which it communicates with the citizens of the region.
Regular meetings with the citizens: The main goal of these meetings is to report on the duties fulfilled and to give information about the current problems. Such meetings are held in cooperation with the Pensioners` Association, Reserve Officers Association, Izgrev Regional Community of Art and Culture Creators, Municipal Ecological Committee, International Youth Organization and other citizens groups.
Periodical written announcements: Most of them are delivered to each household - about 1500 in the region. Others are displayed in the houses` entrances or at places frequently visited by the citizens - electricity, heating, water and telephone payment stations, central post office, libraries, schools and shops on the territory of the district. A significant part of these messages appeal for overall improvement of the hygienic condition of the region and also for involvement of citizens in the cleanness problems. There are announcements which express thankfulness to the citizens for participation in the campaigns for cleaning the neighborhood areas. Some of the messages give information about the addresses and telephone numbers of different institutions - Water-Supply and Sewage, Local Police Department, Emergency Aid, Post Office Services, etc.
Annual Reports of the Mayor: The reports are in written form, published as a newspaper. The Mayor shares with the citizens the results from the municipal activities and points out the problems that have to be solved. This newspaper is published annually and delivered to all households in the district.
Shared Telephone Line: Izgrev district in cooperation with Slava Foundation applies for funds from the Phare Democracy Program in order to open a shared telephone line. Nowadays the citizens of Izgrev district are free to share their proposals, ideas and solutions of problems existing on the territory of the region; they are able to signal for corruption or committed violations by the municipal administration.
Lectures: Monthly delivering of lectures is proposed by the citizens. The latest lectures are connected with the reform in the social policy and the problems of floor property in the context of the old regulations.
Free of charge legal consultations: Izgrev district administration gives its citizens the opportunity to obtain free legal consultations. On every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the week everyone is free to ask for legal information from the legal advisors of the municipal administration.
The solution of problems in the sphere of local self-government depends on the proximity or remoteness of local executive government from the citizens and the aspiration of the municipal administration for adequate dialogue with them. The district administration finds several successful ways by which it communicates with the citizens of the region.
Regular meetings with the citizens: The main goal of these meetings is to report on the duties fulfilled and to give information about the current problems. Such meetings are held in cooperation with the Pensioners` Association, Reserve Officers Association, Izgrev Regional Community of Art and Culture Creators, Municipal Ecological Committee, International Youth Organization and other citizens groups.
Periodical written announcements: Most of them are delivered to each household - about 1500 in the region. Others are displayed in the houses` entrances or at places frequently visited by the citizens - electricity, heating, water and telephone payment stations, central post office, libraries, schools and shops on the territory of the district. A significant part of these messages appeal for overall improvement of the hygienic condition of the region and also for involvement of citizens in the cleanness problems. There are announcements which express thankfulness to the citizens for participation in the campaigns for cleaning the neighborhood areas. Some of the messages give information about the addresses and telephone numbers of different institutions - Water-Supply and Sewage, Local Police Department, Emergency Aid, Post Office Services, etc.
Annual Reports of the Mayor: The reports are in written form, published as a newspaper. The Mayor shares with the citizens the results from the municipal activities and points out the problems that have to be solved. This newspaper is published annually and delivered to all households in the district.
Shared Telephone Line: Izgrev district in cooperation with Slava Foundation applies for funds from the Phare Democracy Program in order to open a shared telephone line. Nowadays the citizens of Izgrev district are free to share their proposals, ideas and solutions of problems existing on the territory of the region; they are able to signal for corruption or committed violations by the municipal administration.
Lectures: Monthly delivering of lectures is proposed by the citizens. The latest lectures are connected with the reform in the social policy and the problems of floor property in the context of the old regulations.
Free of charge legal consultations: Izgrev district administration gives its citizens the opportunity to obtain free legal consultations. On every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the week everyone is free to ask for legal information from the legal advisors of the municipal administration.
Results
Beneficial and long standing methods of two-way channel of information flow - from the local government authority towards the electorate and backwards - in respect of the optimal solution of the problems valid for the territory of the region, have been established. The regional administration strongly demonstrates its willingness to provide maximum information to the citizens. Additional initiatives undertaken by the municipal administration are highly appreciated by the citizens and considered as timely and useful deeds.
Beneficial and long standing methods of two-way channel of information flow - from the local government authority towards the electorate and backwards - in respect of the optimal solution of the problems valid for the territory of the region, have been established. The regional administration strongly demonstrates its willingness to provide maximum information to the citizens. Additional initiatives undertaken by the municipal administration are highly appreciated by the citizens and considered as timely and useful deeds.
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