Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Implementing a model for interactive policy making in solving the unemployment problem in the Municipality of Yambol
Centre for Liberal Strategies
Background
In April 1998, a project entitled Local Democracy in the Bourgas Region. Modelling Interactive Policy Making starts with the financial support of the PHARE Programme of the European Union and the MATRA Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, implemented by the Center for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, the Institute for Public and Politics (IPP), Amsterdam and Voskamp Consultants International , the Netherlands. The aims of the project are to present a model for interactive policy making, based on the idea of improving the communication and cooperation between local government and citizens for the solution of local problems. The project is implemented in four municipalities in Bulgaria: Bourgas, Yambol, Karnobat and Malko Tarnovo.
In April 1998, a project entitled Local Democracy in the Bourgas Region. Modelling Interactive Policy Making starts with the financial support of the PHARE Programme of the European Union and the MATRA Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, implemented by the Center for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, the Institute for Public and Politics (IPP), Amsterdam and Voskamp Consultants International , the Netherlands. The aims of the project are to present a model for interactive policy making, based on the idea of improving the communication and cooperation between local government and citizens for the solution of local problems. The project is implemented in four municipalities in Bulgaria: Bourgas, Yambol, Karnobat and Malko Tarnovo.
Practice
The model for interactive policy making offers a new way for improving the interaction between local authorities and citizens. Six very important steps are followed in its implementation:
1. Exploring current local problems.
2. Drawing up an agenda (a list of all existing problems described by the citizens).
3. Communication and information.
4. First public debate, seminars and meetings of the working groups for establishing alternative solutions of the problem selected.
5. Second public debate, which presents the results from the seminars. Choosing the best solution and preparing a report to the Municipal Council.
6. The Municipal Council makes the final decision and starts implementing it.
This model is appropriate for solving problems, which meet the following criteria:
- be of regional interest;
- can be solved on a local level;
- be of public interest;
- be (potentially) contradictory;
- can be really influenced;
- have funding possibilities;
- provide a real chance for attaining concrete results in a short period of time.
The project implementation in the Municipality of Yambol demonstrates the efficiency of the model in the Bulgarian context and creates favorable conditions for improving communication between the local (executive and legislative) authorities and the citizens.
Following a series of meetings between local government representatives and citizens, unemployment is determined as the most important problem for the region. It complies with the theoretical criteria outlined and is of strong regional importance.
A more detailed picture of the problem outlined is achieved through conducting telephone surveys, TV programs and interviews. The different aspects of the problem and the alternative ways of solving it are discussed at two Public Debates bringing together local government, citizens and other organizations directly connected with the problem (Labour Bureau, Yambol Chamber of Commerce and Economy, the Union of Small and Middle Business etc.). The draft decision submitted for consideration to the Municipal Council proposes the establishment of an information and consulting centre for the unemployed and for people who wish to start a business of their own. At its regular session on 2 July 1999, the Municipal Council of Yambol decides to grant a municipal lot for implementing the idea. The property is to be managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Economy in Yambol with the aim of setting up an Euro-Info Centre. Among the Centre s main functions is to provide information and consultations to the unemployed people from the region.
The model for interactive policy making offers a new way for improving the interaction between local authorities and citizens. Six very important steps are followed in its implementation:
1. Exploring current local problems.
2. Drawing up an agenda (a list of all existing problems described by the citizens).
3. Communication and information.
4. First public debate, seminars and meetings of the working groups for establishing alternative solutions of the problem selected.
5. Second public debate, which presents the results from the seminars. Choosing the best solution and preparing a report to the Municipal Council.
6. The Municipal Council makes the final decision and starts implementing it.
This model is appropriate for solving problems, which meet the following criteria:
- be of regional interest;
- can be solved on a local level;
- be of public interest;
- be (potentially) contradictory;
- can be really influenced;
- have funding possibilities;
- provide a real chance for attaining concrete results in a short period of time.
The project implementation in the Municipality of Yambol demonstrates the efficiency of the model in the Bulgarian context and creates favorable conditions for improving communication between the local (executive and legislative) authorities and the citizens.
Following a series of meetings between local government representatives and citizens, unemployment is determined as the most important problem for the region. It complies with the theoretical criteria outlined and is of strong regional importance.
A more detailed picture of the problem outlined is achieved through conducting telephone surveys, TV programs and interviews. The different aspects of the problem and the alternative ways of solving it are discussed at two Public Debates bringing together local government, citizens and other organizations directly connected with the problem (Labour Bureau, Yambol Chamber of Commerce and Economy, the Union of Small and Middle Business etc.). The draft decision submitted for consideration to the Municipal Council proposes the establishment of an information and consulting centre for the unemployed and for people who wish to start a business of their own. At its regular session on 2 July 1999, the Municipal Council of Yambol decides to grant a municipal lot for implementing the idea. The property is to be managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Economy in Yambol with the aim of setting up an Euro-Info Centre. Among the Centre s main functions is to provide information and consultations to the unemployed people from the region.
Results
The implementation of the model for interactive policy making in the town of Yambol shows the desire of all participating parties to improve the interaction and the dialogue between themselves, demonstrating their good will for creating together a society which ensures equal opportunities for all its members and solves its problems with the active participation of all interested parties.
The implementation of the model for interactive policy making in the town of Yambol shows the desire of all participating parties to improve the interaction and the dialogue between themselves, demonstrating their good will for creating together a society which ensures equal opportunities for all its members and solves its problems with the active participation of all interested parties.
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