Description
The project addresses the need to integrate the marginalized vulnerable groups in the public life and include them in local decision-making in Belene Municipality. The project aims at increasing the involvement of such groups and the relevant NGPs in local decision-making by means of training and setting up of a public council. First, 3 public debates will be carried out with the stakeholders (local authorities, NGOs, social and labour services, citizens) to discuss the issues facing the vulnerable groups, possible solutions and the adoption of citizen engagement rules. Second, 2 trainings will be held in citizen rights, information access, the local self-government, public-private partnerships and funding opportunities. Finally, a public council will be set up to ensure the involvement of the vulnerable groups in decision-making. The project will benefit the vulnerable groups, local authorities and the public in general in Belene Municipality.
Summary of project results
Belene Municipality is faced with too many factors and conditions contributing to the vulnerability of various social groups. The local NGOs lack sufficient capacity to deal with the problems and support the vulnerable communities. They have not attracted the public’s attention and they lack the knowledge and skills to involve supporters, prepare projects and raise funds. In the course of 10 months were organised 3 discussions and 2 training sessions (30 participants) with the people from Belene and other villages in the Municipality, which laid the foundations of a new civic organization, a public council, and were discussed a broad range of measures to improve the social and economic status of the municipality. As a result, the trained representatives of the target groups could use their acquired capacity and contacts to continue to work and represent the interests of their community and vulnerable groups of people. Yet another important impact the project had was that it improved the lasting partnership between the citizens, local authorities and NGOs. For more information, please, visit:
http://sffoundation.eu/category/projects
Summary of bilateral results