m e m o r a n d u m o f u n d e r s t a n d I n g

for Technical Cooperation Between:

Municipality of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

and

City of Auburn, USA

I. THE BULGARIAN TECHNICAL TWINNING/RESOURCE CITIES PROGRAM:

The Bulgarian Technical Twinning/Resource Cities Program (the Program) is sponsored by the Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA) with funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The goals of the Program are to assist local governments to strengthen municipal management, improve the delivery of public services and encourage democratic participation by their citizens.

II. PARTIES TO AGREEMENT:

The Parties to this agreement are:

A. Municipality of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria (Bulgarian Partner City)

B. City of Auburn, AL (USA Partner City)

C. Foundation for Local Government Reform - (Co-Sponsor - Facilitator)

D. International City/County Management Association - (Co-Sponsor - Facilitator)

III. THE TECHNICAL EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIPS:

WHEREAS, the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and the City of Auburn have reviewed the goals of the Bulgarian Technical Twinning/Resource Cities Program and have indicated their desire to form partnerships for an exchange of technical information, management practices, and technical expertise regarding methodology for preparation of a long-range development plan and solid waste collection, disposal and recycling; and

WHEREAS, each partner has recognized the need for, and is committed to, sustaining the exchange of information and expertise after the Bulgarian Technical Twinning/Resource Cities Program has formally concluded; and

WHEREAS, each partner is committed to pursuing opportunities to build linkages for, and actively engage a broad array of participants, including citizens, community-based organizations, educational institutions and the private sector within the framework of municipal activities, in the exchange of municipal development expertise; and

WHEREAS, each partner seeks to promote enhanced public management and private enterprise development by maintaining efficient systems that provide an equitable level of opportunity to all of their citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be agreed: that the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and the City of Auburn having identified general areas of technical assistance and exchange
which meet their needs and the criteria of the Bulgarian Technical Twinning/Resource Cities Program, will work cooperatively to develop and carry out the specific action plan to be set forth, and approved by both cities after the Blagoevgrad delegation visit to the City of Auburn.

This Memorandum of Understanding will promote not only a commitment to the
technical exchange of expertise, but a relationship bond between the Municipality of
Blagoevgrad and the City of Auburn.

IV. FLGR/ICMA - USAID SUPPORT:

FLGR/ICMA agree to assist the Partners to carry out the technical exchange by providing program guidance, assistance in the development of the Action Plan, liaison with USAID, funding for approved travel and other support cost to be determined.

V. REPORTING:

The Partners agree to complete the following: an Action Plan, trip reports, and technical updates during implementation. In addition, the Partners agree to share their experience at a final seminar in Bulgaria at the end of the period of FLGR/ICMA - USAID financial support.

Agreed this 16th day of October, 1998, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria