Bulgarian municipalities exchange best practices on successful initiatives to promote good democratic governance in line with European standards. The Bulgarian municipalities reaffirmed their commitment to the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance as a means of building trust in public action through increased citizen participation and improved efficiency.
During a three-day Forum organized by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in Velingrad, 22 Bulgarian municipalities exchanged best practices and experiences in achieving the European Quality Standards of Local Governance.
The discussions highlighted the need to increase transparency and accountability, and to improve communication between local authorities and citizens through public consultations. The 22 municipalities presented innovative practices of public service delivery which increased citizen participation and improved efficiency.
For example, the municipality of Rakovski has created its own municipal company to manage significant pavement and water issues. This will lead to reduced expenditures and increased efficiency in the long term. The municipality of Svishtov created an innovative online platform to manage waste collection, promote citizen participation, and stimulate environmental project. This enabled the municipality to reallocate funds for social programmes.
Following a four-month awareness-raising campaign and building on lessons learned from previous ELoGE cycles, 22 successful municipalities received the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) award, a crystal dodecahedron engraved with the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance, as a recognition for the high level of performance that they have demonstrated in respect of the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.
Mr Trendafil VELICHKOV, Governor of the host Region Pazardzhik, encouraged local governments as representatives of the citizens to be united and enhance cooperation to serve the best interests of their people. He further indicated that it is the right time, amidst the current crisis, for a national action plan that would incorporate the Principles of Good Democratic Governance into local government. Mr Kostadin KOEV, Mayor of Velingrad, recognized the need for administrative and legal reforms to make municipalities more independent in the decision-making process.
In support of the ongoing decentralisation process, the joint European Union/ Council of Europe project on fiscal decentralisation will play a key role in supporting the ongoing effort of the Republic of Bulgaria in improving local financial management in line with European practices and standards. The project implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance, in partnership with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Finance, aims at supporting Bulgarian municipalities in increasing their financial autonomy.
