Background

The idea for the development of a web-page for the Municipality of Straldzha was initiated by IT experts Mr. Ivan Dobrev and Mr. Dichko Dichev, both employees of the local cable TV network. Motivated to promote the municipality and make it attractive to potential investors, the two gentlemen, in a very short time and for a symbolic fee, developed the design of the web site and submitted it to municipal management.

Practice

The official promotion of the web site was held on August 8, 2000. Since then, the information on the web-site has been updated regularly. The site offers a database on important industries, the number of communities within the municipality and their demographics, the history of the municipality and its development priorities. A phone book of individual and office numbers and a business directory provide easy reference to users. The site has a guest book where visitors can express their opinions and comments on the design and contents. This is an opportunity for direct citizen participation in municipal development. Citizens aare able to review the structure of the municipal administration, read Municipal Council decisions and make recommendations on how to improve the functioning of the municipal administration.

To local businesses, the municipal web site provides multiple opportunities to promote their business and to establish useful contacts. The site also targets potential investors and allows them to quickly get detailed economic information on different industries and development opportunities.

Results

The Municipality of Straldja is the smallest municipality in the Trakya Region that has its own web site. By itself, this fact makes the citizens feel proud of their municipality, spurs greater interest on behalf of external investors and encourages local business people to study the opportunities of advertising on the Internet.