In July FLGR carried out training in Citizen Journalism (module 1 and module 2) in every of the three pilot municipalities for citizens, representatives of local NGOs, community centres, schools. The training is part of the "Citizen Monitoring towards Effective Management of Public Resources".

One of the main problems in the work of local NGOs is the lack of visibility, public image and public awareness of the problems they strive to solve. Many of these local NGOs do not have websites or other information means to reach the community. In order to be as informative as possible regarding their own initiatives and particularly those related to the project monitoring activities they need to get familiar with the new information and technology achievements, approaches, skills and tools. For that purpose FLGR organized and conducted:

-          Trainings for representatives of local NGOs in Introduction of the concept of Citizen Journalism and the possibilities given by the web-based cutting-edge information technologies (first module);

-          Practicums for representatives of the local NGOs – learning by doing of the technical requirements of the communication instruments in the internet environment: posting texts, digital illustrations and videos. Creating training blogs for local NGOs and accounts/fan pages/causes in Facebook/Twitter (second module).

The participants in the three municipalities were highly motivated and gave high ratings of the new knowledge the trainings provided to them and the possibilities to use them in their work.

The third module – Practicum on “How to write for internet” - will be carried in September 2011.

Municipalities of Kyustendil, Knezha and Gotse Delchev partner FLGR in carrying out the project "Citizen Monitoring towards Effective Management of Public Resources", funded by the America for Bulgaria Foundation.

America for Bulgaria Foundation supports the development and growth of a vibrant private sector in favor of free and democratic Bulgaria. Founded in 2008, ABF is the successor of the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund, established by the U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development. The grants of he Foundation America for Bulgaria Foundation grant continue the relationship of goodwill and friendship between the people of USA and Bulgaria.