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 Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria
and
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 Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria (Bulgarian Partner City)
B. City of Golden, CO (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 Veliko Turnovo and the City of Golden 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:
Strategic Planning for Use and Disposition of Municipal Property and
Asset and Financial Management of Public Infrastructure
as primary areas of cooperation.
The two partner cities also recognize potential opportunities to:
Establish contacts between NGOs and student organizations,
Identify ways to increase revenues for the Municipality of Veliko Turnovo within the existing legal framework,
Exchange experience in the field of information services, and
Provide contacts between tourist and business promotional groups
as secondary areas of cooperation, and
WHEREAS, each partner is committed to pursuing opportunities to build linkages for, and to 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; 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, Let it be agreed: that the Municipality of Veliko Turnovo and the City of Golden having identified general areas of technical assistance and technical 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 Veliko Turnovo delegation visit to the City of Golden.
This Memorandum of Understanding will promote not only a commitment to the
technical exchange of expertise, but a relationship bond between the Municipality of
Veliko Turnovo and the City of Golden.
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. Rumen Rashev Mr. Daniel Hartman
Mayor Director of Public Works
Municipality of Veliko Turnovo City of Golden
________________________ _________________________
Ms. Antoaneta Mateeva Ms. Judit Deilinger
Program Specialist Partnership Manager
FLGR ICMA
Agreed this 17th day of November, 2000,
