Description
The project addresses the need for more active civic engagement in decision-making and more active dialogue between the public and the authorities. The project aims at encouraging more active involvement of NGOs as representatives of the public interest in decision-making by boosting the NGO capacity. First, the appropriate NGOs will be selected as project participants in the 3 cities of Pleven, Burgas and Stara Zagora. Second, 30-45 NGO members will be trained in strategic planning and advocacy, civil campaigns and work with the media. Third, 15 NGO members will be trained as trainers. Fourth, the NGOs will strategically plan and carry out advocacy campaigns in the 3 cities. Finally, the NGOs will engage in long-term cooperation with local authorities by entering into agreements and setting up permanent public councils. The project will benefit local NGOs, authorities, companies, the media and local communities in general.
Summary of project results
In the last couple of years the civil society in Bulgaria has exercised pressure mainly through spontaneous protests instead of constructive actions together with the local authorities. Action is needed to empower NGOs as the main bearers of the civil factor in the public and the project helped contribute for that purpose. Advocacy is the best method. Interactive training sessions of local NGOs from the cities of Pleven, Stara Zagora and Bourgas were held and the participants acquired knowledge in line with IRIS’ methods for more successful strategic planning and advocacy that have been conceptually developed and improved. The participants applied in practice their knowledge in pilot campaigns by organizing themselves in coalitions aiming at achieving impact and real forms of partnership with the local authorities. As a result three successful civil initiatives were carried out with a considerable potential for impact on the target groups in the local communities: (1) a health cluster in the city of Pleven supporting regional development and acting as an intersection between the public, the business and local authorities; (2) participation of civil organizations in the Public Council with the Municipality of Stara Zagora and protection of citizens’ interests in many areas from the life of the local community; (3) an analysis and specific proposals for actions in Bourgas aiming at including young people in the social, economic and cultural life of the city and providing workforce for the business.
Summary of bilateral results