[Official delegation from North Greece visited the Rhodopi region] The visit (February 20 until March 2, 2008) took place as a result of the extended cooperation between the municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare and the Foundation for Local Government Reform on Bulgarian side, and organizations from Kavala prefecture on Greek side in the process of establishing Local action group (LAG) based on the LEADER approach.

The Greek delegation consisted of representatives of the Steering Committee of Kavala Development LAG, representatives of the municipalities - LAG members, representatives of the LAG itself, and two representatives of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture.

The Greek delegation visited the Bulgarian municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare.

In the process of strengthening LAG capacities trilateral agreement for cooperation between Kavala Development LAG, Rhodopi Development (Greece), Prespa LAG (consisting of the Bulgarian municipalities of Banite, Laki and Chepelare), and the Foundation for Local Government Reform was signed on February 29 in the city of Smolyan.

The main areas for cooperation between Bulgarian and Greek LAGs and FLGR will be: organic agriculture, development of tourism and introduction of quality standards in tourist services and products, human resource development and historical and cultural heritage. The methods of cooperation will take the form of joint initiatives and events, projects development, research and studies, exchange of information and good practices.

First kick off joint initiative came from the Greek partners who invited Bulgarian counterparts in a joint project for promotion of a joint tourist product in Rhodopi territory named "Cultural Routes Development". The project aims to describe common customs, develop joint cultural routes, and organize Bulgarian-Greek festivals. The project will be financed by the Greek Ministry of agriculture, while the activities that will take place on the territory of Bulgaria will be financed by the municipalities themselves.

This cooperation agreement is open to other LAGs, which would like to implement joint projects with the agreement parties.

For more information:
Nikoleta Efremova
nefremova@flgr.bg

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[National Conference] On the 12 March, 2008 Stroitelstvo/Gradat Newspaper and FLGR organized National Conference on the topic "Municipal Road Infrastructure and Protection of the Environment" as a part of the Bulgarian Construction Week.

The objective of the Conference was to present to the Bulgarian municipalities the possibilities for infrastructural projects and environment protecting projects, financed by the European Funds, and good practices in these spheres from 2 European countries - Austria and Italy.

The main topics, discussed, were:
Municipal Road Infrastructure Panel:

- Municipalities and investors - partners in providing contemporary infrastructure
- The second and third class roads
- Management of urban infrastructure and possibilities of funding by the EU funds
- Infrastructure and regional competitiveness - possible scenarios for Bulgaria

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[In the Center of Attention - NGOs] In the period 21-23 March 2008 the team of FLGR and the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung - Bulgaria conducted a seminar on the topic "NGOs and Their Role in the Realization of European Policies at Local Level". Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung and Mr. Metin Kazak, MEP, Member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe financed the training.

In the working sessions were presented the vision, mission and goals of a NGO, applying of the liberal values in the policies at local level, the role of the NGOs in the local development and the building of partnerships at local level in the process of realization of European policies.

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[Identifying the Risks] On the 27 March - in Mezdra, and on the 28 March 2008 - in Panagyurishte the team of FLGR conducted workshops in the framework of the Dissemination and implementation of the curing and preventing corruption approach at Local Governments' level Project.

The workshop with the participation of the local action group (GC) was carried out to identify the most corrupted or risky spheres in the functioning of the local government, based on the methodology of the "Restore the Health of Your Organization" Manual.

The methodology aroused great interest among the participants and many questions that appeared in the vivid discussions found their answers.

The project is realized in the framework of the Regional Program 2007-2008, managed by FPDL - Partners Foundation for Local Development, Romania, and financed by LGI - Local Government Initiative of the Open Society Institute.

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[Training for Municipal Officers] In the period 29 - 31 March 2008 in the town of Gabrovo the team of FLGR conducted practically oriented training of municipal officers in Project Development within EU Programs. The main topics discussed were:

- Project cycle
- Stages of project development
- Application Forms and Guidelines
- The "needs - project idea justification" correlation
- Definition of stakeholders and building of partnerships
- Target groups and project beneficiaries
- Result indicators
- Project budget
- Finalizing the project

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[Announcement] Ms. Ginka Kapitanova, FLGR Executive Director, took a one-year contract as an Inter-municipal Cooperation Program Advisor at United Nations Development Programme - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
FLGR Board of Directors appointed Mr. Zdravko Sechkov as an Acting Director of FLGR.

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[Interesting Bulgarian Web Places]

One World Bulgaria
Documentary Film Festival aims to increase the knowledge of human rights, globalization, development cooperation with the Global South, and to encourage tolerance and cultural diversity, and to reduce national prejudices and xenophobia.

Protected House for people with intellectual difficulties, Vidin
Project of the month - Tulip Foundation Bulgaria

60 videos, presenting Bulgaria Natura 2000 places
by BALKANI Wildlife Society

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