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Description
While the larger municipalities in Bulgaria have learned to successfully use their local potential and supported by multiple European instruments have boosted their economic development over the last years, many of the smaller municipalities and settlements still need support and good examples on how to exploit and benefit from their historical, natural and cultural resources. To successfully activate and use their territorial resources, the municipalities need proven patterns and good practices to follow. Plenty of good practices can be provided by the Donor States and particularly by the members of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS). To this end, and as a follow up of the excellent cooperation between NAMRB and KS a new round of joined activities has been planned to enhance the local development and capacity to identify and incorporate the existing resources in the municipal development plans. The capacity and experience of NAMRB and KS will provide for an in-depth survey of successful practices from Bulgaria and Norway and identification of the most effective cases; identification of underutilized potential in 10 prospective municipalities and design of workable development strategies tapping on that potential; developing and piloting specific projects based on the strategies for effective local development; further development and expansion of inter-municipal cooperation aiming at increasing the social and economic development in disadvantaged municipalities. In addition, the project will facilitate exchanges of good practices and establishing partnerships between beneficiary and Donor State entities by organizing bilateral meetings, study trips and exchange visits. It will assist the dialog between the local and the central authorities in Bulgaria by drafting and advocacy of proposals for regulatory changes in facilitation of the local economic and social development.