Description
The project addresses the need of active involvement of citizens in decision-making. The project aims at developing the skills and knowledge of NGOs in the 3 cities of Varna, Veliko Tarnovo and Blagoevgrad and meeting the need by creating an education programme for strategic planning of advocacy campaigns. First, the target NGOs and activities will be identified. Second, 15 NGO members in each of the cities will be trained in strategic planning, advocacy, civil campaigns and work with the media. Third, 5 NGO members in each of the cities will be trained to become trainers. Next, 3 advocacy strategies will be planned and implemented. Finally, the project will provide for long-term pressure and monitoring of the institutions by means of agreements with the institutions, standing public councils and networks of NGOs. The project will benefit not only the NGOs and activities involved but the local communities which will be actively involved in decision-making.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the need of active involvement of citizens in decision-making by developing the skills and knowledge of NGOs in the 3 cities of Varna, Veliko Tarnovo and Blagoevgrad and meeting the need by creating an education programme for strategic planning of advocacy campaigns. Due to the project grassroots NGOs outside the capital Sofia gained important skills in advocacy that will help them pursue their missions more successfully. Also, three concrete NGO partnerships on specific causes were established in the three cities which will serve as a basis for future local action in other areas. And last but not least, local authorities placed the participating NGOs on the radar. Outputs include analyses of the problems facing the different communities, strategic plans of action, signed documents for strategic partnership among NGOs, memoranda of understanding and cooperation with the authorities, media publications and participations in shows. The beneficiaries (local NGOs in Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna) took part in the training in advocacy and strategic planning, devised their own pilot advocacy campaigns on relevant issues and implemented the campaigns, establishing channels of communication with decision makers and giving publicity to the problems addressed. The main benefit was the new confidence of NGOs that via a carefully designed advocacy campaign and media involvement they can effect real change or at least obtain commitment by authorities for future engagement with their cause.
Summary of bilateral results