On October 7, Thursday, at an official ceremony on the occasion of Bulgarian Municipality s Day October 12, Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) awarded its 2004 Annual Innovative Municipality Award. The Foundation s award for innovation in local government was awarded for the third consecutive year. More that 160 innovative practices were presented by the municipalities and their civic partners.

The national prize was won by the Municipality of Dobrich that shared 31 innovative practices on various topics!

It was awarded a unique statuette, masterpiece of the sculptor Christo Michaylov that symbolizes climbing the spiral way to a better future.

As an additional award Dobrich Municipality got two airplane return tickets for European destination. It is an opportunity for 1 municipal employee and 1 NGO representative to participate at an international innovative event. Tickets are provided by CARLSON WAGONLIT Travel. PC, provided by Index Bulgaria, was also awarded to the contest winner for 2004.

The second place winner with 20 innovative practices is the Municipality of Mezdra that got a printer provided by Office 1 Superstore Bulgaria Kutsarov 2000 Ltd. and a laminator, provided by Allegro.

The third place shared 2 municipalities with 17 innovative practices: Mizia Municipality and Svishtov Municipality. They got a programme product for administrative activities in their municipalities, provided by the Central Laboratory of Computer Graphics and Information Systems Axter, Technical University Sofia.

Seven municipalities are honored for their innovative achievements in 2004:

Razgrad Municipality 11 practices
Botevgrad Municipality 7 practices
Peshtera Municipality 4 practices
Silistra Municipality 4 practices
Strumyani Municipality 4 practices
Bracigovo Municipality 3 practices
Kresna Municipality 3 practices

Congratulations to the winners!

Thank you, to all sponsors for their support!