On 16 March 2004 the Republic of Bulgaria has ratified the Orhus Convention The Convention on Access to Information, participation of the community in decision-making processes and access to justice on environmental issues . The objective is that citizens , non - governmental organizations , community play more important role in forming and promoting environmental policy and citizens to be timely and completely informed on quality of the surrounding living environment . The Convention supports the increase of responsibilities in citizens to protect the environment .

Its implementation results in complete implementation of ecological considerations in the process of developing and implementing sector policies , strategies , action plans , programs and projects in the context of sustainable development and environmental protection and improvement .

Aiming at supporting the effective implementation of the requirements of the Orhus Convention , Burgas Municipality and The Green Burgas foundation developed and implemented a project Campaign to Support Citizen Participation in Decision - Making Processes .

By implementing this project we support building of a democracy society and the institutional sustainability of local authorities , we enhance citizens to participate actively in local self - government.

The project implementation provides an opportunity for citizens to get informed , to express their opinion on key public issues and to really participate in the community life .

The pilot part of the project includes development of an Air Quality Management Program of Burgas Municipality of wide citizen participation . The activity is targeted towards practical implementation of Article 7 of the Orhus Convention, regulating the participation of citizens in the process of developing plans, programs and policies related with environmental issues .

The following groups of activities were implemented:

Ø Initiating a broad public dialogue and establishing a partnership among all stakeholders local authorities, industry, institutions, scientific sphere, ecological NGOs, media;

Ø Sociological research and analysis of the public opinion referring to problems on atmosphere air pollution in Burgas Municipality.

Ø Establishing a consultative Committee including representatives of all stakeholders aiming at supporting the local authority (experts team) in the process of developing the program.

Ø Publishing and disseminating a non-technical summary of the program;

Ø Carrying out a series of public discussions on the draft of the Municipal Program;

Ø Establishing a system of public informing and consulting: Green Line ; Reception hours for consultations with experts and ecologists; putting a box for complaints and recommendations by citizens in the municipal building; publishing a monthly newsletter on the air status in the media.

Other activities implemented under this project :

q Researching good international practices of effective public participation in developing ecological programs / plans ;

q Training for representatives of the municipal administration on implementing the Orhus Convention principles and attracting the community in decision - making processes ;

q Training for representatives of ecological NGOs on work with local authorities and protection of public interests ;

q Organizing round tables in the Burgas schools in relation with rights and opportunities for young people to participate effectively in decision - making processes ;

q Carrying out an active information and training campaign oriented towards a wider public aiming at promoting the Orhus Convention principles and motivating citizens to participate in the demonstration project .

A national seminar with the participation of representatives of central and local authorities , non - governmental organizations , the public was carried out under the project . The results of the project were introduced; mechanisms and follow-up steps in support of the practical implementation of the requirements of the Orhus Convention were a matter of discussion . 

The main result of the project implementation was the development of the Air Quality Management Program in municipality of Burgas through wide public participation . The priorities of the Programme were completely in accordanve with the community needs , and the final version of the Program reflected all recommendations addressed in the course of discussions .

In a long - term period of time the project supported the establishment of an informed , committed and active civil society , which realized its own responsibilities and is prepared ot participate in local self - government .