You could subscribe/unsubscribe
Here

The FLGR's e-Brief is sponsored by LOGIN and

Visit the Investment Bulgarian Municipalities Web-site
www.invest.bg
managed by FLGR

• New ideas and practical approaches in the field of anti-corruption
  

• 7 Bulgarian LED Experts participated in three-week internships in partner cities in the United States
  

• New Training CentrпїЅs For People With Disabilities
  

• Best Practices Conference "GET READY FOR BUSINESS"
  

• 7 Projects to be Carried out in Dryanovo
  

• New Innovative Practices Publications
  

• Interesting Bulgarian Web Places
  

[New ideas ....] FLGR started work on a new project, entitled New ideas and practical approaches in the field of anti-corruption. The project's goal is to improve anti-corruption capacity and better accountability at the local government level, through providing effective and practical tools for self-assessment. The project is funded by Partners Foundation for Local Development, Romania.

In the framework of the project the training manual "Restore the Health of Your Organization - a Practical Guide to Curing and Preventing Corruption in Local Governments and Communities", by Fred Fisher, Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata, will be translated into Bulgarian and disseminated among municipalities, regional authorities and trainers, that work in the field of local government, regional associations of Bulgarian municipalities, professional associations of municipal experts - PR, secretaries of municipalities, jurists; NGOs, representatives of the media.

This Guide is the result of an initiative by Partners Foundation for Local Development (FPDL) supported by the Local Government Initiative Program (LGI) of the Open Society Institute and by UN-HABITAT.

As the authors say in the foreword, "Why the focus on local governments? While decentralization and the adoption of democratic self-governance processes at the local level have brought the promise of better governance, they have also spawned opportunities for decentralized corruption. When local governments ignore the need for transparency and accountability systems, they provide new temptations for the misuse of public offices for personal gain."

And more: "... corruption exists in all countries; however, it tends to be more damaging in poor countries thus adding an additional challenge to local governments in these countries. Corruption undermines institutions, thwarts the rule of law, is a disincentive to investors, and results in inequitable distribution of wealth and power."

This Practical Guide describes a strategic approach to curing and preventing corruption and provides a set of tools for local leaders to use in the planning and implementation of their plan of action. In addition to their commitment and courage to restore the health of their organization and community, they will know how to:

- Identify and treat, with priority, the most damaging and dangerous forms of corruption;
- Change corrupt systems not (only) corrupt individuals;
- Elaborate short, medium and long term objectives for their anti-corruption strategy;
- Work with employees, as well as with the community members, in a participatory process, to collect and analyse data on corrupting practices, and identify curative actions;
- Work with an external consultant, or facilitator, who would provide assistance in conducting the corruption-curing intervention.

The goal is after disseminating (on paper and electronically through the FLGR's online library) the manual to organize and carry out a Round Table (August 2007), entitled "New ideas and practical approaches in the field of anti-corruption" with participation of local government officials - mayors, chairs of municipal councils, local government administrations - vice mayors, other state servants, representatives of Ministry of State Administration and Administrative Reform, NGOs, journalists.

FLGR team believes that a broad public discussion on the theme of fighting anti-corruption at local level and active citizen participation in decision making process at local level, discussion of the conflict of interest resolution and transparency in the risk areas of the work of municipal administrations will be extremely useful, especially having in mind the forthcoming local elections in Bulgaria in autumn 2007.

to the top >>

[7 LED Experts...] As part of FLGR/ICMA Local Economic Development (LED) CityLinks Program in Bulgaria, 7 Local Economic Development Specialists from Bulgarian cities participated in three-week internships in partner cities in the United States. Dimiter Petrushev, from the Municipality of Strazhitsa, and Asan Imamov from the Municipality of Gotse Delchev, spent their time in Novi, Michigan, from May 21 through June 10, 2007. They gained hands-on experience in U.S. economic development tools and techniques that may be adapted to the Bulgarian environment upon their return.

A proficiency in English and LED certification through FLGR/ICMA program were the basic requirements for all Bulgarian participants. Interns are required to develop a detailed local economic development implementation work plan when they return to their cities to integrate what they have learned during the internships into their jobs and related projects.

Mr. Imamov's and Mr. Petrushev's schedules spared little room for free time during their stay in the United States. A large part of the internship involved job shadowing, which provided the interns with a typical day's work for an economic developer in the U.S. They attended council meetings to get a perspective on how elected officials interact with staff, citizens, and businesses in their communities. The interns also had the opportunity to learn about the city's zoning and development processes, business networking and partnerships, as well as infrastructure projects underway in Novi.

During their stay in Novi both interns had the opportunity to work on rehabilitation of the "Four Points Corridor" and work with the economic development team on a business greeting program, a business trends survey, and a mechanism for tracking business retention visits. The interns also provided insights into ways that Novi could provide services to a wide range of cultural communities and increase its international magnetism.

The Bulgaria CityLinks Economic Development program is aimed at equipping local officials to meet the needs and challenges of the newly decentralized Bulgarian municipalities, including retaining current employment levels and attracting new jobs and investment to their cities. Besides U.S.-based internships (for the years 2006 and 2007 overall of 30 Bulgarian LED experts participated the internships), the LED program incorporates Bulgarian-Bulgarian mentorship, city-specific projects, and a certification program.

More info at:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/CFP09/706030353



to the top >>

[New Training Centres For People With Disabilities] The Social Inclusion Network for People with Disabilities opened Training centres for people with disabilities in Sofia, Pleven, and Stara Zagora. The network is operated by "Health for everyone" Association and funded by USAID through the Foundation for Local Government Reform.

The training centres will help NGOs working with people with disabilities to achieve financial and organizational sustainability through social entrepreneurship. Specific training topics will include developing business ideas, business planning, financial sustainability, and advocacy skills.

Nearly 1000 people with disabilities will receive training and technical assistance in the field of social entrepreneurship, facilitating their integration into society and increasing their access to the labour market.

Another training centre will open in Varna soon.



to the top >>

[Best Practices Conference] The Foundation for Local Government Reform (FLGR) with the support of the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), Bulgaria and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Washington, USA held Best Practices Conference "GET READY FOR BUSINESS" on June 11 - 12, 2007 in Varna, Bulgaria. The forum was dedicated to 10 years of Bulgarian - American Partnership, the achieved results and implemented projects within the Technical Twinning Program between Bulgarian and American municipalities, financed by USAID and managed by FLGR/ICMA. "During the last 3 years of the program 2 500 new jobs were created, 120 million euro investments were attracted in new business projects and 20 million euro - for expansion of existing businesses," highlighted Mrs. Ginka Kapitanova, the Executive Director of FLGR. The 10 years of Bulgarian - American cooperation were very fruitful pointed out Michael Fritz, USAID Mission Director for Bulgaria.



The conference was attended by 120 people - guests and representatives of over 50 municipalities - Mayors, Chairmen of City Councils, Municipal Experts and representatives of Regional Governments, NGOs and the business sector.

At the forum was presented the experience of:

- Municipalities, which support local and foreign companies to create new jobs and market themselves as business and tourist destination;
- Municipalities, which participate in the local economic development and covered the criteria for the certificate "Ready for Business Municipality";
- Municipalities, pilot implemented or multiplied successful models of infrastructure management;
- Municipalities, pilot implemented or multiplied their experience in programs for source separation and improvement of the waste collection in rural areas;

As part of the conference a competition of site visits and negotiations with prospects was held among the municipalities, which participate in the Local Economic Development and Marketing of Bulgarian Municipalities Project. The competition was based on sent in advance case study called "Choosing a place for new investments" and demonstration "Visit of prospect in the municipality" was held. Members of the jury were American experts, representatives of FLGR, InvestBulgaria Agency and Tishman Management Company. The nomination of the jury coincided with the audience nomination and the presentation of the Municipality of Haskovo won the first place. The representatives of Haskovo - Mrs. Pavlina Stoianova and Mrs. Maria Fileva won the two awards: participation of one representative of the municipality in "Construction and Management of Industrial Parks" study tour in the Czech Republic, July 2007 and financial award of 300 levs.



Mr. Michael Fritz awarded American and Bulgarian municipalities for their extraordinary commitment in sharing experience, multiplying innovative projects and technical assistance to Bulgarian municipalities, individual awards to American and Bulgarian experts for taking an active part in training and sharing experience in projects.

With the final conference FLGR established the beginning of new joint activities with the municipalities based on the build up capacity, knowledge and expertise. After the end of the Program FLGR will continue to act as a coordinator of the Bulgarian Partnership for Local Economic Development aiming at improving the investment climate and generating of new jobs in alternative economic fields. FLGR will continue to be International Resource Centre offering services by individual contracts with the municipalities.

The FLGR team cordially thanks to all colleagues from municipalities, NGOs and business sector who participated in the conference with presentations in different sessions!





to the top >>

[7 Projects...] On the 18-th of June 2007at the Municipal Hall of Dryanovo the official ceremony of signing the agreements for projects financing was held.

In the framework of the Community Forum Programme, phase III, through half an year Community Forum sessions in Dryanovo were held with the participation of all local stakeholders. The Forum participants elaborated and prioritised 8 projects. Seven of them were chosen to be financed by the Project Fund:

- "Help for the Talented Dryanovo Children", Community Centre "Razvitie";
- "Let's Make the Learning Easier", Kindergarten "Detelina";
- "Learning and Training Centre - Dryanovo", Professional Economics High School "Racho Stoyanov";
- "Equal Access to Administrative Services in the Mayoralties of the Municipality of Dryanovo", Municipality of Dryanovo;
- Youth Survival Club "Bulgari", Tourist Association "Bacho Kiro";
- "Building up and Functioning of Information and Entertainment Students' Centre at the "Maxim Raikovich" Highschool";
- Dryanovo Fitness Centre, Municipality of Dryanovo.

After the ceremony training was held on the topic of financial management and reporting of the projects.

The Community Forum Programme has been carried out with the financial support if SDC by Balkan Assist and the Foundation for Local Government reform.

to the top >>

[New Innovative Practices Publications] In June 2007 FLGR team in the framework of the LOGIN Programme prepared two volumes of the Innovative Practices edition.

The 38/2007 volume represents successful practices, realised in the field of local economic development, composting and management of municipal road network in the municipalities of Gabrovo, Yambol, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Tundzha and others, during the last years of implementing the Technical Twinning Program between Bulgarian and American municipalities, financed by USAID and managed by FLGR/ICMA.

The 39/2007 volume represents innovative practices, realised by Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube", Association of Bulgarian Black Sea Municipalities and National Association of Secretaries of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria.

The both publications will be disseminated throughout the Bulgarian municipalities and all interested parties.

Their Bulgarian pdf-versions of the publications are also published in the FLGR website.

to the top >>

[Interesting Bulgarian Web Places]

US President George W. Bush in Bulgaria, 11 June, 2007

The picking of the oil roses begins with a fest at the town of Kazanlak on 1 June, 2007
The Fest is especially loved and hugely visited by Japan tourists.
Bulgaria is among the four biggest producers of rose oil in the world, together with Turkey, Morocco and Iran. At the moment a kilogram of rose oil costs EUR 4000 at the international market.

Bulgarian art at the 52nd La Biennale di Venezia
International Art Exhibition in Venice, Palazzo Zorzi, June 10 - November 21, 2007

Photo-haigas by Bulgarian Detelina Tiholova in the last issue of пїЅaiga Online
Haigaonline is the first haiga e-zine
Haiga is haiku painting. Hai refers to the poem or haiku and ga means painting. The form originated in seventeenth-century Japan and was used to decorate scrolls, albums, screens, and fans.

to the top >>