Institute

published on 22 July 2010

INSTITUTE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY

The Institute for Direct Democracy is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan think-tank set up for the promotion of direct democracy ideas, principles and procedures in the national and regional context. The Institute operates under the legal form of a foundation performing its activities in public benefit. Тhe Institute is founded by Balkan Assist Association in June 2010.

The General Purposes of the Institute:

•  To promote and implement the ideas, the principles and the procedures of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
•  To support the improvement of the legal framework of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
•  To investigate and disseminate knowledge of various models, procedures and practices of direct democracy and participatory democracy,
•  To build networks for institutional and civic interaction on the problems of direct democracy and citizen’s participation at national and regional levels, as well as in the European Union;
•  To provide support to other organizations, having purposes similar to the purposes of the Institute.

The Scope of Activity of the Institute:

• Research, analytical and educational activity,
• Initiation and support for legislative changes,
• Implementation of connections and campaigns with institutions, civic organizations and citizens in support of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
• Organization of conferences, seminars, public lectures, and other significant forums on the problems of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
• Conduct of an overall assessment of the procedures and the mechanisms of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
• Realization of an active cooperation with the representatives of the local government under programs related to the purposes of the Foundation;
• Provision of expert support when initiating referendums, civic initiatives, public consultations,
• Publications on the problems of direct democracy and citizen’s participation,
• Cooperation with organizations, institutions and individuals in the country and abroad.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the supreme body of the Institute with a competence to decide on the strategic issues of the organizational development. The Board of Trustees consists up to 7 seven members. The Board of Trustees serves a five-year term of office.


Members of the Board of Trustees:

Bruno Kaufmann (Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe, President);
Donka Michaylova (Member of the Balkan Assist Board, MP in the 40th National Assembly)
Galya Spassova (Member of the Balkan Assist Board, Journalist)
Docho Michaylov (Sociologist)
Ivo Hristov (Social Scientist, University Professor)
Karassimira Kamenova (Lawyer, Balkan Assist Association)
Petya Kabakchieva (Social Scientist, University Professor)

Management Board

The Management Board is the managing body of the Institute. The Management Board consists of three members.

Members of the Board:
Atanas Slavov (Constitutional Scholar, University Lecturer)
Ralitsa Negentsova (Lawyer, Central Electoral Commission)
Sergey Djokanov (Journalist)