The experience gained as a result of implemented pilot projects so far by the BAFECR Club Ragzrad in the municipalities of Loznitsa, Razgrad and Zavet in Razgrad Region has proven the need of continuing the process of institutionalization at local level. To the present moment the Association has been implementing a project Open Gates for Citizens in Ragzrad. About 50% of municipal services at local level are delivered by the local authorities. 50% are delivered by public institutions at central level. In order to develop as a credible provider of protecting civil rights and liberties, it is necessary that the public mediator be provided with the opportunity to address requests and signals against actions or lack of actions of institutions delivering public services. The public mediator offers his / her recommendations and signals in cases when the administration had not provided the necessary conditions for citizens to execute their legal rights and interests.

From the beginning of January 2004 the BAFECR Club Razgrad jointly with the municipality and the municipal council in Rzgrad has been implementing a project Open Gates for Citizens in Razgrad, supported by the USAID and Coalition 2000.

The goal of the project is through establishing an institution Public Mediator to perform citizen control over local authorities. At a roundtable organized in March 2004 with the participation of representatives of local authorities and public institutions problems of citizens in Razgrad Municipality and the characteristics of the Public Mediator were discussed . It was openly stated that citizens are not afraid of institutions ; there was a need of extending competencies of central institutions at local level ; promoting duties and rights of citizens and functions of mayors of mayoralties ; hope that the Public Mediator would become successful local practice was also shared.

The project coordinator Georgi Milkov carried out several successful meetings with Dobrinka Moneva Chair of Municipal Council Ragzrad and Stanka Angelova, Deputy Mayor on financial issues in Razgrad Municipality , where future cooperation activities in the process of institutionalizing the Ombudsman of the local authorities and the selecting procedures were discussed . At a session of the municipal council held on 23 March 2004 a report on the establishment of a Temporary Committee on Preparing Regulations of Organization and Activities of the Public Mediator was discussed. The municipal councilors took the decision to form this committee including 9 members ( one municipal councilor of each political party in the council BSP, UDF, MRF and the Center Group , two representatives of the municipal administration and the coordinator of project Open Gates for Citizens in Razgrad ). In the course of six sessions Regulations of the Public Mediator and selection procedures were elaborated . On 1 March 2004 a competition under a preliminary selection for Public Mediator was announced, and on 26 April 2004 at a session of the Municipal Council the selection was carried out through secret vote . The local parliamentarians voted two rounds for the nominated three candidatures . None of the candidates received the necessary majority . The Municipal council took the following decision : Public Mediator of Razgrad Municipality under Open Gates for Citizens in Razgrad project was not elected . In the beginning of May 2004 at a session of the Temporary Committee decisions to fix date for another Procedure and to announce another competition for election of Public mediator . On 19 May 2004 six candidates were personally interviewed and assessed under six criteria of objective score through personal cards by each participant in the Temporary Committee .

For the past three months since the election of Public Mediator totally three complaints were submitted . In the course of their processing Prof. Boyan Penev Library and Municipal Property Management Department were visited . There were no difficulties in the exchange of information and the officials cooperated all the time.

The meetings carried out with representatives of different institutions were very beneficial for the public mediator. As a result 15 agreements were prepared to be signed with 15 institutions . The managers of the institutions declared their agreement to cooperate the public mediator referring to various complaints and signals, regarding services to citizens in Razgrad Municipality . Through agreements the public mediator after reviewing the complaint addresses recommendations towards both sides , thus aiming at improving administrative services and attitude towards citizens. To the present moment agreements with the following institutions were signed : Chair of the District Court Razgrad, Head of Unit Labour Department City of Razgrad, Information services Joint Venture Razgrad , head of Custom's Department Razgrad and the head of the Center for Urgent Medical Help.

Under the project five information meetings were carried out in the villages of Balkanski, Cherkovna, Rakovski, Osenets and Mortagonovo. Despite the intensive farming season the organization was very good thanks to the help of mayors of mayoralties. Citizens were introduced to the institution Public Mediator , its functions and powers , the procedures of reviewing complaints . We were informed about the results of the meetings and conversations with heads of state institutions , whose goal was also signing partnership agreements in order to be at maximum beneficial to citizens in Ragzrad Municipality. People were informed about the address of the reception office and the working time . Citizens of all villages shared their problems .

Through the project Open Gates for Citizens in Razgrad BAFECR Club Razgrad actively develops its experience, capacity and expertise in the process of institutionalizing of the public mediator in the local authority . The working committee professionally developed Regulations on the statute , activities and organization of the Public mediator in accordance with the positive practice of ombudsman in European countries.

The institution Ombudsman is very popular among citizens of Razgrad and the settlements in the municipality . Five information meetings in the largest villages of Ragzrad were carried out . Due to the great interest towards the activities of the public mediator invitations for meetings were addressed to mayors of three more mayoralties. The institution is highly respected by the representatives of the public institutions.