On June 20, 2004, in Sofia, the Foundation for Local Government Reform held a National Seminar on the successful completion of the Social Environment Improvement Program. The Program was implemented by FLGR with the financial support of Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. FLGR s partners in the implementation of the program included 10 pilot municipalities: Peshtera, Batak, Bratsigovo, Godech, Dzhebel, Kirkovo, Kresna, Momchilgrad, Svoge and Strumyani.

The seminar was attended by 70 representatives of more than 35 municipalities countrywide, local and national NGOs operating in the social area, national agencies, Bulgarian and international donors.

Petya Demireva, Head of Local Social Services Department, Social Assistance Agency, presented the new aspects Bulgaria s social policy. Marieta Dimitrova from the Bulgarian Non-Profil Law Center presented the legislation framework in the social area and recommendations for its improved enforcement.

The coordinators of projects implemented under the program shared successful practices developed by the pilot municipalities and NGOs to: solve problems, develop municipal social policies, deliver services and provide for the social integration of disadvantaged people, develop alternative forms of social care for adults and youth, develop employment encouragement and creation programs, create communication opportunities, provide education and professional training, initiate joint cultural initiatives, provide institutionalized and informal cooperation methods, create interest and understanding of the cultural diversity in the community.

The topics presented generated a lot of questions and opinions. The contribution of the program to the development of small communities, which so far had been neglected by donors and trainers and in which the people had managed to prove their potential, was highly appreciated. The degree of local resources mobilization, which contributed to the achievement of the impressive achievements of these otherwise low-budget projects, also created a great interest among the participants.

The projects implemented by the pilot municipalities are presented in FLGR s publications. This will provide a wider circle of municipal experts, local government managers and NGO representatives in the country an opportunity to learn about the innovative solutions developed under the Social Environment Improvement Program. The municipal managements can borrow many ideas about the implementation of the principles of decentralization in the delivery of social services, as stipulated by the Social Assistance Act.