An integrated approach to create employment, support economic activity and support an innovative model for interactive exposure of the local cultural-historical heritage and art in the Dimitrovgrad municipality

Project facts

Project promoter:
STRATEGIKA VISION LTD(BG)
Project Number:
BG-LOCALDEV-0037
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€148,712
Donor Project Partners:
Glemmen High School(NO)
Other Project Partners
DRAMATIC THEATER "APOSTOL KARAMITEV" - DIMITROVGRAD(BG)
HISTORICAL MUSEUM - DIMITROVGRAD(BG)

Description

The implementation of the current project will contribute to the resolution of problems identified in the area of the employment, related to the levels of unemployment registered on the territory of the municipality of Dimitrovgrad. The project provides support for measures aimed at creating sustainable employment and stimulating economic activity at the local level. In addition, the project envisages the application of an innovative approach to support employment by using innovative instruments to promote, develop and popularize the local cultural-historical heritage and art. In this sense, the project envisages the implementation of the measures included in those developed within the framework of the Project "Growth through the activation of local potential (GALOP)", the Strategy for local development of the municipality of Dimitrovgrad. The activities of the project are in accordance with the first strategic goal, second and third priorities, measures: Develop of touristic-informationen centar and development of integrated regional touristic products and routes. This project covers measures for three specific categories of activities: - PSA 1 – Job creation -PSA 2 – Investment in innovative approaches to local employment development - PSA 3 – Providing information about job vacancies, organizing events for employers and jobseekers.  The project activities include  management, measures for information and publicity, job creations, training of newly appointed employees and mentoring, acquisition of equipment, development of an Internet site for the promotion of cultural-historical heritage, through interactive exposure, development of an innovative approach for providing information about vacancies, organizing periodic meetings between employers and people seeking work, exchanging experience with a partner from Norway.

Summary of project results

Challenges that the implementation of the project aims to solve were to create employment opportunities by opening 6 jobs; increase the interest of the public at the regional, national and supra-national level to the local cultural and historical heritage; create new tools for promoting the local cultural and historical heritage; exchange of experience with a partner from Norway. In the process of selection and appointment of employees, the project promoter faced the challenge to find experts with the appropriate qualifications; when holding meetings between employers and unemployed people, there was lack of interest in the organized events on the part of local employers.

This current project covered measures in three specific categories of activities: Jobs creation, Investments in innovative approaches for the development of local employment, and Provision of information about vacancies, organizing events for employers and job seekers. The main objective of the project was to develop innovative approaches aimed at stimulating economic activity and creating jobs in Dimitrovgrad municipality, by using new, creative tools for the promotion, development and popularization of the local cultural-historical heritage and local art. Specific objectives of the project were to open 6 new jobs and activate of long-term inactive people; implement innovative approaches for the development of local employment; create conditions for promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Dimitrovgrad municipality and the region, through interactive exposition; confirmation of the potential of Dimitrovgrad municipality for the development of cultural and historical tourism; develop an innovative approach for providing information to job seekers; organize meetings between employers and job seekers in the field of culture and tourism; exchange experience and good practices with a partner from Norway.

The project implementation contributed to achieving the overall results of the grant scheme, namely, to increase the social and economic development in Dimitrovgrad municipality by creating 6 jobs and piloting measures for effective local development. The project achieved the outlined specific outcomes as a result of the actions implemented within its framework activities. 5 new jobs were created in the project partners'' organizations, i.e., the Historical Museum and Drama Theater in Dimitrovgrad. 1 job will be kept for 12 months after the end of the project. Exchange with the Norwegian partner was implemented. Another new workplace was created in the project promoter''s organization and this job ll be kept for 12 months after the end of the project. Tools were developed for promoting the local cultural and historical heritage of Dimitrovgrad municipality (strategic documents and website), which will have an impact on public and private organizations in Dimitrovgrad municipality interested in the development of cultural tourism and on project partners. An innovative approach was developed for providing information to job seekers, which addresses directly the unemployed in Dimitrovgrad municipality, as well as the Labor Office in Dimitrovgrad. Two events were held aimed at employers and unemployed. Exchange with the Norwegian partner was implemented.

Summary of bilateral results

As a part of the bilateral exchange of experience, project promoter''s and project partner''s representatives visited the Glemmen High School in Norway and had a workshop with the administrative management of the school. They received information about the facility and educational practices in the school. They met teachers and students participation in various extracurricular classes. The meetings and discussions held during this visit laid a new foundation for continuing the future cooperation between the partners from both countries in the field of cultural and historical heritage, education and employment.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.