Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Increasing citizen participation and activity in Bulgaria the Koprivshtitsa 21 Century Project
"Hadji Nencho Palaveev" Culture Centre
Background
The Koprivshtitsa 21 Century Project is implemented by a team of Hadji Necho Palaveev Culture Centre in the town of Koprivshtitsa. It started in February 1998 with the following fundamental goals:
- to reduce unemployment in the town;
- to increase the living standard of the population through support of the basic sources of income for the town: tourism, agriculture and crafts. Gradually the idea finds more and more supporters and the project expands. The culture Centre proves its capability to act and its authtority increases.
The Koprivshtitsa 21 Century Project is implemented by a team of Hadji Necho Palaveev Culture Centre in the town of Koprivshtitsa. It started in February 1998 with the following fundamental goals:
- to reduce unemployment in the town;
- to increase the living standard of the population through support of the basic sources of income for the town: tourism, agriculture and crafts. Gradually the idea finds more and more supporters and the project expands. The culture Centre proves its capability to act and its authtority increases.
Practice
To achieve project goals an Information Centre is set up, which offers services focused on the support and development of tourism (the basic industry for the museum town of Koprivshtitsa, with all the challenges set in this area); local traditional crafts; potato production.
The Information Center created covers all services. Its equipment is up-to-date and its structure matches the need for providing multi-faceted services to the population. Annually about 750 clients make use of the possibilities of the centre. Another important activity of the Centre is the promotion of Koprivshtitsa as one of the active tourist and cultural places in Bulgaria. The owners of private houses and hotels, with the support of the Information Centre, advertise their sites through printed materials and radio programmes. In this way Koprivshtitsa establishes itself as a serious partner on the tourist market.
The project expands to encompass the following groups of the population: local middle size and small businesses (including local producers); socially deprived households; unemployed; children and students; interested citizens.
Funding is provided through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Active partnership is established between the Municipality of Koprivshtitsa, The Tourism Council, the Museum Department, L. Karavelov School, local businessmen (hotel and restaurant owners), Koprivshtitsa Foundation and others. Over 145 people are engaged in the project activities - full and part-time staff, as well as volunteers, demonstrating high interest and activity.
An indicator for stimulating citizens activity are the newly emerged associations, e.g. the setting up of the sustainable NGO Women s Society , dating back from the time of the April Uprising, which has resumed its activity and registration. Units within the school board and the nursery school are formed. Potato producers gradually united around the idea of setting up their own cooperative in Koprivshtitsa. The Potato Exchange , established as a bank of information and intense mass advertisement for Koprivshtitsa agriculture, supports the producers and provides strong motivation for their getting together.
With the cooperation of the Museum Department a bazaar exhibition of articles made by more than 50 local craftsmen is organized. The exhibition of 248 souvenirs and the great interest demonstrated in it are the basis for the further development of local crafts and the provision of home-based employment for those willing to be engaged in this activity. This enterprise was met with high interest and is still operational. Hadji Nencho Palaveev culture centre proves to be an active organization, highly respected by the local population. It justified the trust of the people and stengthened its position in Koprivshtitsa.
To achieve project goals an Information Centre is set up, which offers services focused on the support and development of tourism (the basic industry for the museum town of Koprivshtitsa, with all the challenges set in this area); local traditional crafts; potato production.
The Information Center created covers all services. Its equipment is up-to-date and its structure matches the need for providing multi-faceted services to the population. Annually about 750 clients make use of the possibilities of the centre. Another important activity of the Centre is the promotion of Koprivshtitsa as one of the active tourist and cultural places in Bulgaria. The owners of private houses and hotels, with the support of the Information Centre, advertise their sites through printed materials and radio programmes. In this way Koprivshtitsa establishes itself as a serious partner on the tourist market.
The project expands to encompass the following groups of the population: local middle size and small businesses (including local producers); socially deprived households; unemployed; children and students; interested citizens.
Funding is provided through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Active partnership is established between the Municipality of Koprivshtitsa, The Tourism Council, the Museum Department, L. Karavelov School, local businessmen (hotel and restaurant owners), Koprivshtitsa Foundation and others. Over 145 people are engaged in the project activities - full and part-time staff, as well as volunteers, demonstrating high interest and activity.
An indicator for stimulating citizens activity are the newly emerged associations, e.g. the setting up of the sustainable NGO Women s Society , dating back from the time of the April Uprising, which has resumed its activity and registration. Units within the school board and the nursery school are formed. Potato producers gradually united around the idea of setting up their own cooperative in Koprivshtitsa. The Potato Exchange , established as a bank of information and intense mass advertisement for Koprivshtitsa agriculture, supports the producers and provides strong motivation for their getting together.
With the cooperation of the Museum Department a bazaar exhibition of articles made by more than 50 local craftsmen is organized. The exhibition of 248 souvenirs and the great interest demonstrated in it are the basis for the further development of local crafts and the provision of home-based employment for those willing to be engaged in this activity. This enterprise was met with high interest and is still operational. Hadji Nencho Palaveev culture centre proves to be an active organization, highly respected by the local population. It justified the trust of the people and stengthened its position in Koprivshtitsa.
Results
The Koprivshtitsa 21 Century Project is already operational in all its areas, one year after the conclusion of its funding. As a result, 4 new working places were set up in the Hadji Necho Palaveev Culture Centre (coordinator of administrative services; coordinator of the bazaar exhibition, office coordinator of the Tourist Information Centre). These positions are held by young people, previously registered as unemployed at the Labour Bureau. A tradition is established for Koprivshtitsa citizens to meet each Wednesday to discuss their ideas and initiatives. The organization Work after Working Hours has opened a Telephone of Trust, at which citizens can signal about their mishaps and complaints.
The Koprivshtitsa 21 Century Project is already operational in all its areas, one year after the conclusion of its funding. As a result, 4 new working places were set up in the Hadji Necho Palaveev Culture Centre (coordinator of administrative services; coordinator of the bazaar exhibition, office coordinator of the Tourist Information Centre). These positions are held by young people, previously registered as unemployed at the Labour Bureau. A tradition is established for Koprivshtitsa citizens to meet each Wednesday to discuss their ideas and initiatives. The organization Work after Working Hours has opened a Telephone of Trust, at which citizens can signal about their mishaps and complaints.
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