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Description
The sustainable development of the three largest municipalities in Bulgaria, i.e. Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, has not been accompanied by an efficient structure of local self-governance that enables citizens to participate in the process of policy making and implementation. The governance of these municipalities does not ensure in practice the necessary conditions for citizens to take part efficiently in solving issues of local interest and being provided with public services that take into account the specificity and requirements of the local context of a large city. The main goal of the project is to create an environment for identification and provision of opportunities for active participation of citizens and their organizations in the process of policy making and implementation in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. The project envisages the carrying out of surveys to identify the problem areas related to involvement of citizens in policy making and implementation in cities with division into districts as well as good practices related to participation of citizens of European cities with similar division. The findings from the surveys will be used in proposals for legislative changes that will be discussed broadly by experts and the public and then submitted for approval to the relevant institutions at central level. The main project outcomes will be: surveys of the changes needed, drafted proposals and recommendations for legislative changes and a campaign to support the latter changes. The target groups are the structures of the civil society and businesses, interested in improving the quality of life through participation in the process of policy making and implementation in municipalities with division into districts.