VELIKO TIRNOVO IS THE FIRST WINNER OF A PRESTIGIOUS EUROPEAN PRIZE IN EASTERN EUROPE
by Teodora Kaleinska,
Information and documentary Center of the Council of Europe, Veliko Tirnovo
The idea of sustainable development was formulated by the world community in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro and was based on a long-term strategy aimed to the survival of the humanity which may continue to exist in the 21st century only by making joint efforts to preserve the natural resources and aim to a fair cooperation and harmonious development. Such a development can be effectuated only if all social groups, communities and states are involved in it.
This leading idea united in 1994 the participants in the first European Conference in Alborg where was signed the European Chart for Sustainable Cities, on the basis of which an European plan for united action was worked out in 1996 after the Lisbon meeting. It was at that time when the idea of organizing an annual competition to unite the efforts of all of the inhabitants of the old continent in the name of the general welfare was borne. In 1997 for the first time the countries from Central and Eastern Europe were invited to take part in this worldwide movement.
Veliko Tirnovo is the first city which has won the prestigious award of the European Union i.e. a Special prize for a city with sustainable development from Eastern Europe which represents an acknowledgment of the efforts of generations of Bulgarians and Veliko Tirnovo s citizens to protect and preserve their town as well as an unique opportunity for the city to complete faster the transition to the European values and to be accepted as a serious partner in the European strategy for development of the continent.
What are the reasons for this high appreciation?
In the first place, the efforts of generations of patriotic Bulgarians and Veliko Tirnovo s citizens aimed to preserving the unique features of the ancient capital: the meandering river of Yantra, the majestic fortress of Tsarevets and safeguarding at the same time the generations belief that here is the source of Bulgaria s grandeur, uniqueness and eternity. This impression along with the vitality did not allow a savage industrialization of the region to be carried out to such an extent to which it was implemented through the country; this impression and this vitality caused a rapid changing of public mentality to a new approach to resolving issues relating to the transition period. This impression and this vitality brought to life the creation of the National Committee Veliko Tirnovo 21st Century , lead by a clear strategy and the idea to integrate the efforts at national, regional, local governmental level as well as of business and public circles in the name of safeguarding Bulgaria s national symbol, its historic and constitutional capital in the 21st century.
The complex approach to identify and resolve Veliko Tirnovo s issues allowed the city to gain European recognition. The unification of the efforts of all groups of the society cleared the road to Europe for Veliko Tirnovo. The approach of the various sectors and the merge of their activities can be summarized as follows:
- management efforts:
- searching a dialogue with the municipalities of Trigradie region with a view to resolve common issues relating to gas supply, transport, infrastructure in the region;
- encouraging joint efforts to overcome the pollution of Yantra river s valley, situated in this area;
- construction of a water purification plant in the region of Veliko Tirnovo;
- implementing a project for separately disposal of solid waste;
- clear strategy and mandate program for the development of Veliko Tirnovo and the municipality by graduating the levels of control, coordination and evaluation made by citizens;
- efforts aimed to integrate the private business:
- a complex expert assessment of the economic development of Veliko Tirnovo in a period of financial crisis and currency board;
- serious efforts made to expand the private business through integrating small and medium business for taking part in the municipal privatization program;
- completing the process of restitution the land;
- non-governmental sector s efforts:
- over the last two years more than 30 independent projects have been implemented by NGOs in the region;
- Open Society Foundation has its own club in the city characterized by its own organization and financial life.
In the town of Veliko Tirnovo has been established the first country-side Information and Documentation Centre of the Council of Europe as a result of the three-year project Democratic Values.
Joint efforts of citizens, businessmen and local authorities aimed to protect the unique nature, cultural identity, historical and human activities, named Veliko Tirnovo, have deserved the respect of Europe.
Thank you, Bulgaria. Let us honor Veliko Tirnovo!
1. The mayor of Veliko Tirnovo, Mr. Dragny Dragnev was born in 1942 in Veliko Tirnovo. He has graduated in Economics. Over the period 1976-1979 he was a deputy chairman of the District Council, from 1979 to 1981 he was the mayor of the municipality and from 1991 to 1995 - a municipal councilor. Married, with two children.
First of all we would like to congratulate you and all the citizens of Veliko Tirnovo for the prestigious prize.
Participating in the European campaign for sustainable cities is a sign of a new way of thinking and action of the local authorities which in concert with NGOs and citizens contribution create the basis for consistent development according to the European standards and aiming to the 21st century. Considering these requirements the application of Veliko Tirnovo for a sustainable city has been discussed and consequently it has been granted the award. It is a very prestigious prize which is of great significance not only to Veliko Tirnovo but to Bulgaria since it is the only town of Central and Eastern Europe which won such a recognition. This is an acknowledgment for the global practical policy carried out by the municipality jointly with the other organizations and the projects they implement.
Other Bulgarian cities have applied for this prize. What was the decisive factor, in your opinion, to chose Veliko Tirnovo?
I do know which are the other Bulgarian cities which applied for this award. It is known, however, that more than 340 cities from Europe are involved in the sustainable cities program. It is important to underline the fact that for the first time in the competition for the European award for sustainable cities, towns from Central and Eastern Europe were admitted which allowed us to stand next to representatives of such cities as Stockholm (Sweden), Heidelberg (Germany), Calvia (Spain) during the Award ceremony. I think that decisive importance for Veliko Tirnovo s election along with the historical and national values of the town, had the program and the activity of the National Committee Veliko Tirnovo in 21st Century , the Mandate program of the municipality and the extensive information on the activities of different non-governmental structures such as Yatrus, Academika, SINDI, etc. which we have submitted.
What would you recommend from your experience as an advise to those cities which would compete for this prize?
The chance not only to survive but to develop successfully and to aim to prosperity will be achieved by seeking and applying alternative possibilities, programs and resources. We should actively work to our opening to Europe and to the world. The efforts we have been making for two years now in that direction give already results and help us overcome more easily the problems arising from the transition and the crisis we are facing. In this connection I cannot miss the fact that the only country-side Center of the Council of Europe has been recently opened in Veliko Tirnovo and now our city is among the participants included in the UNDP Program Beautiful Bulgaria . I am confident that the local authorities should be more active in seeking such alternatives.
What are the responsibilities and the prospects of Veliko Tirnovo after it has been awarded this exclusive prize?
This award gained a considerable prestige to our town but created at the same time responsibilities. It is natural that we are considered now as a model and that obliges us a lot. The four awarded cities have already agreed to establish direct contacts, exchange experience and to cooperate between them. We have planned to create a coordinating body which should comprise the activities of all of the organizations and institutions working on the implementation of sustainable development programs. The activity of such organizations and institutions should be more active. The work of the municipality should become more active keeping its leading position, encouraging and supporting the initiatives in this direction. I shall propose to the neighboring municipalities to effectuate interaction on the basis of existing and future joint projects of regional importance hoping to be followed by others.
Thank you for this interview.
2. The representatives of the four awarded cities: Stockholm, Veliko Tirnovo, Heidelberg and Calvia are happy with the prize.