Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Developing a mechanism for efficient participation of young people in the work of Varna Municipal Council
Regional Youth Council - Varna
Background
The existence of a number of problems concerning young people in Varna Municipality, and neglecting youth organizations resources and youth itself as a driving force for problem resolution, creates the feeling that young people are a burden rather than capital for the development of civil society. In previous decision-making and program implementation concerning young people, Varna local authorities have not taken into serious consideration the opinions and reaction of young people as stakeholders. The reason for that was the insufficient openness of local authorities towards the citizens, as well as the lack of an organized permanent forum of youth organizations. Until the start of the initiative, the seeking of joint decisions of Varna Municipality and Varna young people was spontaneous and sporadic. Spending time and efforts on the interaction between youth organizations was considerably reduced with the establishment of the Varna Regional Youth Council. Further joint efforts of these organizations led naturally to the need of sustainable forms of partnership with local authorities.
The existence of a number of problems concerning young people in Varna Municipality, and neglecting youth organizations resources and youth itself as a driving force for problem resolution, creates the feeling that young people are a burden rather than capital for the development of civil society. In previous decision-making and program implementation concerning young people, Varna local authorities have not taken into serious consideration the opinions and reaction of young people as stakeholders. The reason for that was the insufficient openness of local authorities towards the citizens, as well as the lack of an organized permanent forum of youth organizations. Until the start of the initiative, the seeking of joint decisions of Varna Municipality and Varna young people was spontaneous and sporadic. Spending time and efforts on the interaction between youth organizations was considerably reduced with the establishment of the Varna Regional Youth Council. Further joint efforts of these organizations led naturally to the need of sustainable forms of partnership with local authorities.
Practice
The idea of effective partnership between young people and local authorities was born during the establishment of the Regional Youth Council. In all European states, the youth councils national, regional, or local present a bridge allowing young people to participate and influence policy at various levels. The idea to find a mechanism for representative participation of young people in the work of local authorities, followed by the involvement of a larger youth community in the life of both Varna Municipality and the other municipalities in the district, resulted in the establishment of Varna Regional Youth Council (VRYC). In that sense, the idea of practical and institutionalized interaction is the main goal of the VRYC, and the implementation of the project was a natural follow up of initiators efforts to involve young people with common problems, including the problems of the municipality.
The VRYC studied the experience and activity of the Gabrovo Cultural and Information Youth Center related to the implementation of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions a project supported by the Foundation for Local Government Reform. Right after its foundation, the VRYC made an official proposal to Varna Municipal Council regarding the adoption and implementation by the municipality of the principles underlying the Charter. This proposal was accepted with Decision No. 1215-4/1216-4/1217-4/ Protocol No. 27 / 25.07.2001 of Varna Municipal Council, followed by a number of meetings held between the VRYC and representatives of the municipal administration, Municipal Council, and NGOs working with young people. The result of these meetings was the innovative approach towards the elaboration of the precise scope and concrete suggestions for joint initiatives.
As a part of the program prepared by VRYC for the celebration of the European Youth Day, the Council organized a round table meeting entitled Partnership Between Youth Organizations and Varna Municipality , which led to the conclusion that Varna offers extremely favorable conditions for the development of effective partnerships between young people and local authorities.
The main goals of the project were:
1. Formulation of Varna Municipality youth policy, based on the suggestions and opinions of young people;
2. Institutionalization of the dialogue between local government, young people and their representatives, through the establishment of permanent structures for discussion, consultations and public monitoring of the decision-making process concerning young people;
3. Development of a sustainable model of interaction between local authorities and young people;
4. Assessment of young people s needs, problems and attitudes within the municipality;
5. Improvement of youth representatives work, knowledge and skills, regarding their participation in the mechanisms for interaction;
6. Development of mechanisms and information channels for direct contacts and feedback among young people and their representatives;
7. Transfer of experience and skills from youth representatives to other young people from other municipalities.
Goals were achieved through the elaboration and acceptance of rules for youth delegates election, training of young people and municipal councilors, organization of public debates on youth problems, preparation of proposals to local government for the formulation of youth policy, and transfer of experience to other municipalities.
Participants in the project were youth organizations and local authorities the Mayor and municipal administration, and Varna Municipal Council. A natural partner was the Varna House of Youth hosting the meetings of youth organizations. The project involved experts on youth problems, as well as attracting the attention of the media. The Gabrovo Cultural and Information Youth Center, a project partner, played an essential role for the implementation of activities and the achievement of the stated goals, bringing in its experience in strategic planning for the development of an efficient and sustainable model for adopting the European Charter and promoting its principles.
Keeping in mind the very fact of VRYC establishment and the ratification of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions by Varna Municipal Council, it should be stressed that the most innovative part of the project was the preparation and singing of an agreement allowing the participation of youth representatives, having the right of a deliberative vote in the regular sessions of all permanent commissions at Varna Municipal Council, as well as the constitution of a youth expert council involving the Chairperson of the Municipal Council, the Mayor, and the youth representatives.
The idea of effective partnership between young people and local authorities was born during the establishment of the Regional Youth Council. In all European states, the youth councils national, regional, or local present a bridge allowing young people to participate and influence policy at various levels. The idea to find a mechanism for representative participation of young people in the work of local authorities, followed by the involvement of a larger youth community in the life of both Varna Municipality and the other municipalities in the district, resulted in the establishment of Varna Regional Youth Council (VRYC). In that sense, the idea of practical and institutionalized interaction is the main goal of the VRYC, and the implementation of the project was a natural follow up of initiators efforts to involve young people with common problems, including the problems of the municipality.
The VRYC studied the experience and activity of the Gabrovo Cultural and Information Youth Center related to the implementation of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions a project supported by the Foundation for Local Government Reform. Right after its foundation, the VRYC made an official proposal to Varna Municipal Council regarding the adoption and implementation by the municipality of the principles underlying the Charter. This proposal was accepted with Decision No. 1215-4/1216-4/1217-4/ Protocol No. 27 / 25.07.2001 of Varna Municipal Council, followed by a number of meetings held between the VRYC and representatives of the municipal administration, Municipal Council, and NGOs working with young people. The result of these meetings was the innovative approach towards the elaboration of the precise scope and concrete suggestions for joint initiatives.
As a part of the program prepared by VRYC for the celebration of the European Youth Day, the Council organized a round table meeting entitled Partnership Between Youth Organizations and Varna Municipality , which led to the conclusion that Varna offers extremely favorable conditions for the development of effective partnerships between young people and local authorities.
The main goals of the project were:
1. Formulation of Varna Municipality youth policy, based on the suggestions and opinions of young people;
2. Institutionalization of the dialogue between local government, young people and their representatives, through the establishment of permanent structures for discussion, consultations and public monitoring of the decision-making process concerning young people;
3. Development of a sustainable model of interaction between local authorities and young people;
4. Assessment of young people s needs, problems and attitudes within the municipality;
5. Improvement of youth representatives work, knowledge and skills, regarding their participation in the mechanisms for interaction;
6. Development of mechanisms and information channels for direct contacts and feedback among young people and their representatives;
7. Transfer of experience and skills from youth representatives to other young people from other municipalities.
Goals were achieved through the elaboration and acceptance of rules for youth delegates election, training of young people and municipal councilors, organization of public debates on youth problems, preparation of proposals to local government for the formulation of youth policy, and transfer of experience to other municipalities.
Participants in the project were youth organizations and local authorities the Mayor and municipal administration, and Varna Municipal Council. A natural partner was the Varna House of Youth hosting the meetings of youth organizations. The project involved experts on youth problems, as well as attracting the attention of the media. The Gabrovo Cultural and Information Youth Center, a project partner, played an essential role for the implementation of activities and the achievement of the stated goals, bringing in its experience in strategic planning for the development of an efficient and sustainable model for adopting the European Charter and promoting its principles.
Keeping in mind the very fact of VRYC establishment and the ratification of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions by Varna Municipal Council, it should be stressed that the most innovative part of the project was the preparation and singing of an agreement allowing the participation of youth representatives, having the right of a deliberative vote in the regular sessions of all permanent commissions at Varna Municipal Council, as well as the constitution of a youth expert council involving the Chairperson of the Municipal Council, the Mayor, and the youth representatives.
Results
1. Practical implementation of the principles of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions on the territory of Varna Municipality;
2. Involving young people in the work of the Municipal Council and administration of Varna;
3. Accepting young people as an active part in decision-making on problems which concern them and fall within the competence of local authorities;
4. Developing the skills and knowledge of youth representatives on team working, thus making them an equal and active partner;
5. Developing sustainable tools for communication between young people and their representatives;
6. Promoting the idea of partnership to other municipalities from the region;
7. Raising public (including the media) interest towards the idea of efficient interaction between the civil sector and local government.
The publication and dissemination of a brochure summarizing the successful practices and the experience gained in the course of the project, the involvement of young people in the formulation of long-term youth policy, and the knowledge and skills accumulated by youth representatives, are the guarantee for the sustainability of project results, their multiplication in other municipalities, and the foundation of a good basis for further partnerships between young people and local government.
1. Practical implementation of the principles of the European Charter for Youth Participation in the Life of Municipalities and Regions on the territory of Varna Municipality;
2. Involving young people in the work of the Municipal Council and administration of Varna;
3. Accepting young people as an active part in decision-making on problems which concern them and fall within the competence of local authorities;
4. Developing the skills and knowledge of youth representatives on team working, thus making them an equal and active partner;
5. Developing sustainable tools for communication between young people and their representatives;
6. Promoting the idea of partnership to other municipalities from the region;
7. Raising public (including the media) interest towards the idea of efficient interaction between the civil sector and local government.
The publication and dissemination of a brochure summarizing the successful practices and the experience gained in the course of the project, the involvement of young people in the formulation of long-term youth policy, and the knowledge and skills accumulated by youth representatives, are the guarantee for the sustainability of project results, their multiplication in other municipalities, and the foundation of a good basis for further partnerships between young people and local government.
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