Description
The project addresses the need for organizations bringing together all the stakeholders (NGOs, informal groups, the citizens) to support common causes. The project aims at making regional libraries in the regions of Kardzhali, Razgrad and Vratsa resource centres uniting NGOs and citizens for joint actions. First, 32 librarians from the 3 regional libraries will attend 3-day training in advocacy and basic community actions. Second, a methodology for regional research and a civil sector compass will be developed for the libraries. Third, about 140 employees of NGOs and community centres will attend training to improve their skills in planning, budgeting, advocacy and attracting donors and volunteers. Finally, 3 information days of the work of local NGOs and 3 public events supporting common causes will be held at the libraries. The project will benefit NGOs, library staff and the public. The partner will contribute with its experience.
Summary of project results
NGOs in the regions of Kardzhali, Razgrad and Vratsa do not have any interaction mechanisms and citizens have not always recognized them as advocates of local causes. Regional libraries and community centres have the potential to become places bringing together local communities and a platform and a resource centre for collective civil society actions on important issues. This is the background against which the project of Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation was implemented. Three desk studies were carried out under the project of registers and databases of the target libraries to establish the status of civil society in the three regions. As a result of the analysis, a report titled Civil Society Compass was drafted. In addition, a handbook for libraries working with NGOs was published, namely Libraries and Civil Society Organizations. The handbook is disseminated online. However, 30 copies of the handbook were published for the regional libraries in the country. Several public events rook place under the project, one in each of the target regions, where three local causes on a specific issue important for the public were presented by three local coalitions. In addition, a meeting of people from different generations was held in each target region to ensure learning from experience. Next, an information event of an NGO was carried out in each of the three regional libraries. The NGOs presented their work and discussed the working conditions for NGOs, the challenges, partnerships, etc. Then, 3 three-day training sessions were carried out to raise the knowledge and skills of the staff of community centres and NGOs to develop projects and work with the media (Vratsa – 53 participants, Razgrad – 35 participants, Kardzhali – 45 participants). Finally, 9 workshops in total were held the target regions to help informal groups acquire important skills to develop their organizations to meet their needs. The regional libraries raised their capacity as social platforms for communication and community development and broadened their interaction with NGOs on local causes.The development of civil society was encouraged in the three regions by creating an environment for active partnership and building of trust between the staff of regional libraries and NGOs.As a result of the project, they are not only prepared to apply jointly for projects but also to organize themselves and act on important local issues, while involving active citizens and recruiting volunteers.
Summary of bilateral results