Dear Readers,
We are pleased to present our new selection of Innovative Practices '2005 in local government in Bulgaria.
The Innovation Practices database is maintained for the eighth consecutive year and consists of over 760 innovative practices. The innovative practices are available online at http://www.flgr.bg organized in 16 categories.
In 2005 FLGR conducted two Innovative Practices Competitions on different topics.
In the first competition on European Integration: Provision of Information and Successful Implementation of European Projects (May 2005) participated 50 innovative practices, submitted by municipal experts, regional associations of municipalities and non-governmental organizations. St. Kliment Ohridski High School City of Elhovo received first award in Provision of Information category. Its practice" Young Elhovo, young Europe" explains on promoting the European idea among the young people at local level. Municipality of Dobrich in partnership with Hristo Botev General Education School were nominated for their practice "Municipality and school working together towards European integration" in Successful Implementation of European Projects category.
In the second competition (September 2005) on Municipal Cooperation and Public-Private Partnership were shared 22 practices from Bulgarian municipalities and their civic partners.
The first prize in category Municipal Cooperation was awarded to Municipality of Mezdra. The practice "The municipalities of Mezdra and Vratsa: the development of a cooperation" presents the intermunicipal cooperation in the field of solid waste management. The first prize in category Public-Private Partnership was awarded to Remark TurClub Association in cooperation with municipalities of Troyan, Apriltsi, Teteven for their practice "Balkania Tourism Region".
In 2005 FLGR awards for the fourth consecutive year the Innovative Municipality Award. The national prize of Innovative Municipality Award for 2005 was won by the Municipality of Svishtov that shared 59 practices and that in the last few years has never stop working and encouraging its employees and partners to strive for improvement and innovation in their activities. Municipality of Mezdra won the second place within Innovative Municipality 2005 Competition for sharing the impressive number of 29 practices. The third place winner with 15 practices, implemented in cooperation with civic organizations, is Municipality of Sliven.
For the period from October 1, 2004, to October 1, 2005, the I nnovative P ractices database was expanded with 177 practices, shared by municipalities, regional associations, civic and business organizations. Most practices are on the following topics: international cooperation and European Integration, economic development, public-private partnership, intermunicipal cooperation, sustainable development and administrative services.
We believe that in the following 2006 municipal experts and representatives of civic and business associations will not only develop and implement valuable ideas and projects, but will share the acquired experience with colleagues through Innovative Practices database of FLGR. The most interesting and creative approaches and solutions can be replicated in other places and municipal administrations by simply describing the project progress and refilling the Innovative Practice format and submitting it to the FLGR Innovative Practices database.
Criteria for innovative practice are:
1. Innovative approach the practice should present new methods and improved procedures; it should build on existing practices not only at local but at national level as well (within maintained Innovative Practices database);
2. Impact and sustainability of achieved results what are the results of the implemented practice and does the achieved effect positively on citizens, administration, NGOs, local community; is the innovative process a consequence of result-oriented efforts (a single event can be identified as innovative practice); how is maintained the sustainability of the practice; does the practice contributed to saving valuable resources as time, money etc.;
3. Applicable according environment is the practice applicable in other Bulgarian municipalities without spending additional financial resources for expensive methods and technology; is the practice well received by the local community;
4. Partnership is the initiative result of partnership and cooperation between municipality, NGO, business and citizens; how is the partnership accomplished and does it contribute to positive changes.
FLGR would like to extend its warmest thanks to all innovators who spent time and efforts and shared their successful practices. We expect your practices and enthusiasm within the following Innovative Practices Competitions and the 2006 Annual Innovative Municipality Award!
Ginka Kapitanova,
Executive Director,
FLGR