On September 27 - 28, 2004, 300 children from Mikrevo, Strumyani, Slivnitsa, Kresna, Godech, Svoge, Bratsigovo, Peshtera and Kirkovo met at Sofia Land. For most of them, this was not only the first visit to Sofia Land but to the capital city as well.

The children were participants in the projects implemented under the Social Environment Improvement Program of the Foundation for Local Government Reform and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (2002 2004). The event was the final meeting for the current, second phase of the Program.

The purpose of the projects targeting children was to integrate children from minority groups, children with disabilities, children from poor families, to provide them new opportunities for education and development, for joint activities with children from different ethnic groups.

The program was implemented in small communities. Ignored until now by donors and trainers, the people in the small communities managed to prove their potential. The mobilization of local resources provided for the impressive results of the otherwise low budget projects.

The projects are among the few examples in our country of decentralization in the delivery of social services stipulated by the Social Assistance Act.

More information on the projects under the Social Environment Improvement Program is available at FLGR's website.