From October 8-15, a group of local development experts from 8 Bulgarian municipalities traveled to Estonia for training on Improving the Economic Development Environment of Local Communities. Participants learned about the experience of a new EU member country in applying EU funds to strengthening local economic development.

"Quality implementation of reforms in Estonia is a good example for Bulgaria," said Diana Bebenova of Silistra. "Although this small country has only 20 years of independent political life before the changes in 1991, today it is the country with the most dynamic development index among the new EU members. Our Estonian hosts shared experience showing that politicians should possess a strong reforming spirit, listen to expert opinion, and decentralize the management of structural funds."

Local Economic Development (LED) experts from Svilengrad, Plovdiv, Strazhitsa, Haskovo, Gorna Oryiahovitsa, Silistra, Gotse Delchev and Yambol participated in the program, along with two representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The training was administered by World Learning as part of the City Links Program of the Foundation for Local Government Reform (FGLR).