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 Gabrovo, Bulgaria

and

City of Portage, 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 Gabrovo, Bulgaria (Bulgarian Partner City)

Â. City of Portage, MI (USA Partner City)

Ñ. 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 Gabrovo and the City of Portage 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 methods for citizen participation in local governance, and public/private partnerships for economic development; 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 and cultural organizations, 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 Gabrovo and the City of Portage 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 Gabrovo delegation visit to the City of Portage.

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

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.

___________________________;;____________________________

Mr. Nikolay Dachev;;;;Mr. Michael Stampfler

Mayor;;;;;;City Manager

Municipality of Gabrovo;;;City of Portage

___________________________;;___________________________

Ms. Antoaneta Mateeva;;;;Mr. David Wodynski

Program Specialist;;;;Program Coordinator

FLGR;;;;;;ICMA

Agreed this 9th day of October, 1998, Gabrovo, Bulgaria