Description
The project addresses the lack of efficient mechanisms for civil participation in decision-making, lack of sufficient awareness and trust. The project aims at supporting active citizenship and building citizens’ capacity and motivation to participate in decision-making through the introduction of efficient mechanisms. First, 1000 people will be interviewed on civil participation and control mechanisms. Second, the findings will be discussed at 6 regional civil discussions with 360 participants. Third, a national civil discussion with 60 participants will be held. Fourth, 20-member team of the Agents of Change will be set up to have meetings with policy-makers and the media to present the recommendations from the discussions. The results will be presented at a final meeting. The project will benefit the target groups of citizens, civil society organizations and local, regional and central decision-makers promoting more active citizen participation in decision-making.
Summary of project results
One of the serious challenges facing the civil society in Bulgaria is the lack of dialogue and functioning mechanisms for civil participation in the process of decision-making and in the local and central management. The project goal meets this need to enable a broad range of citizens and NGOs to join the public debate about the governance of the country by means of applying efficient mechanisms for civic participation and public control over the actions and decisions made by politicians. A nationally representative sociological survey was conducted. Then an efficient mechanism for civic participation and public dialogue was successfully applied and promoted, as 6 regional and 1 national civil panel discussions were held which enjoyed a broad public response; the panel discussions resulted in civic proposals and recommendations for legislative changes that were presented and discussed with the government (at the Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the President’s Office) and covered by the media. The participation in discussions enabled more than 240 citizens and 120 NGOs to raise their awareness and motivation for involvement in the decision-making process, joint initiatives and interaction. Many of the project participants continued to work on specific local and regional initiatives related to civic participation in governance after the project ended. For more information, see:
www.citizendebate.com
Summary of bilateral results