FLGR Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary
FLGR Team
No. 6/2000
On May 18, 2000, the Foundation for Local Government Reform marked its fifth anniversary. The anniversary was commemorated with a celebration at the Mati Hall of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. More than 100 guests attended the celebration: mayors, donor representatives, NGOs, foreign and partners and Bulgarian associates.
The Foundation s executive director, Mrs. Ginka Kapitanova, opened the official part of the celebration. Mr. Ilian Tsonev made an address on behalf of FLGR s founders. Then the floor was given to Sofia s mayor, Mr. Stefan Sofiyanski, who congratulated the Foundation for its extremely successful work over the last five years.
The event was an opportunity for the Foundation to express its gratitude and recognition of the organizations and individuals that had contributed the most to its success and development over the years. Three international and ten Bulgarian FLGR partners got honorary awards: FLGR s founders; donors; experts; FLGR associates and staff. Ms. Nadare Lee and Ms. Key Pile of USAID and Mr. Bert Vanderlingen of the Dutch Embassy greeted the Foundation on behalf of the awarded donors.
The anniversary edition of the Most Valuable Partner Award was given to Mr. David Wodynski of the International City Managers Association, USA. Honorary expert diplomas were awarded to the people who were most consistent in supporting FLGR with their experience and skills: Mr. Alexander Mikhailov, Municipality of Sofia; Mr. Aleko Dzhildzhov, Council of Ministers; and Mr. Bogdan Stoyanov, journalist.
Honorary innovation diplomas were also awarded to: Mr. Lyubomir Dimov, Municipality of Varna, for most published innovative practices; Mr. Georgi Belovski, Municipal Bank AG, for most nominations by Internet database users (for his practice on Eurobond issues).
As a recognition of their professionalism were awarded FLGR s first and extremely dedicated employee, Ms. Daniela Mikhivska, and its newest employee, Ms. Irena Boneva, as well as all other FLGR team members. Addresses of acknowledgement were given to FLGR s board members. The chairman of the Board, Mr. Lachezar Rossenov, delivered a statement on behalf of the Board.
A special statement was made by Ms. Camille Barnett, an expert consultant in local government and organizational development. She was introduced as the dragon woman who over the last three years became the guru of FLGR internal organizational development.
The celebration continued with toasts and dances, blowing the five candles on the birthday cake and awarding the prize for the What is FLGR? competition. The competition was widely publicized a month before the anniversary and there were no restrictions with regard to the form and the physical condition of the materials. The award, 200 Leva and a bottle of French champagne, was granted to Ms. Petya Atsinova of the Stara Zagora Regional Development Agency. Her material was in an appropriate pharmaceutical format and identified FLGR as a medicine produced in May, 1995, with unlimited term of use, that is used to strengthen local government.
We would like to thank everyone who greeted us for their warm words and wishes!