Antonovo Municipality is situated in northeast Bulgaria, in the southwest part of Targovishte Region . It borders in the north , north - east and east respectively with municipalities of Popovo, Targovishte, Omurtag ( Targovishte Region ) . In south-east with Kotel Municipality (Sliven Region), in south-west and north-west municipalities of Elena, Zlataritsa and Strazhitsa (Veliko Tarnovo Region). The municipality is situated at the foot of the Balkan.

The territory of Antonovo Municipality is comparatively poor at water resources and of diversified relief including plains and lower mountain hills.

Only automobile transport is developed on the territory of the municipality.

Antonovo Municipality encompasses 60 settlements, including 1 city - Antonovo.

The number of the population is 7902 inhabitants, 23 % of them city and 77% - village population.

Currently the industry in the municipality is in deep crisis.

Agriculture is mainly represented by farming and stock-breeding.

Private business is in the process of development.

The growth of unemployment is 37,31 %.

In the beginning of 2004 Antonovo has acquired access to Internet.

Because of the specific geographic, economic, social conditions communications between local authorities and citizens are performed in live and on the spot. This requires transportation, time and good organization, but still creates conditions for better live connection and exchange of information, acquaintance with real conditions and problems on the spot. Our goal is effective, efficient, timely and joint decision-making related with finding solutions to problems.

Research of opportunities to create partnership between local authorities , citizens, private business , students was carried out . Our practice is related to the work of USAID, SDC, FLGR, Balkan Assist, NGOs, Regional Administration, Municipal Administration, Municipal Council, Community Centers, students, pensioners, private sector and other institutions.

Four seminars under PLEDGE Programme were carried out in the process of communication, organized by the Municipality, and 10 forum sessions held within Community Forum programme .

The citizens manage fourteen projects co-funded by the Municipality. The uniqueness of all projects is that they have been started in 2003 during the mandate of a local authority, which has not been changed for many years, and continue their implementation in 2004 under the government of new political power .

The power is in the continuity and tolerance among ethnic groups and political will represented in our municipality .

Policy of transparency and publicity in the performance of the local authority was promoted .

The participation of wide range of citizens in decision-making processes has been promoted .

Citizens learned how to formulate their goals and to solve community problems using direct dialogue with local authorities, different institutions and private business ;

Living environment was improved ;

The computer office was modernized in the unique high school in the city ;

New children playgrounds were established ;

Ecological and aesthetic attitude towards living environment brought up in the community ;

Confidence between local authority and citizens established a bridge to undertake next steps towards sustainable civil society in the municipality ;

Thinking was changed , self - confidence that jointly we will make it built ;

Citizens manage fourteen projects thirteen under Community Forum programme and 1 under PLEDGE Programme ;

The municipality is involved in co - funding of all fourteen projects , provides methodological and practical assistance in the process of goals achievement.