REFERENDUM AND CIVIL INITIATIVE

published on 08 June 2009

 
REFERENDUM AND CIVIL INITIATIVE - www.referendum-bg.com
A pilot project of Association Balkan Assist – 2002-2010,
Supported financially by the SDC.

Main Goal:
Increase the possibilities for direct citizen participation in the government by optimizing Bulgarian legislation and practice in the conduct of referenda.

Sub Goals:
• Increase the information reaching Bulgarian citizens regarding their possibilities for direct participation in government.

• Analyze Bulgarian legislation and practices from the point of view of the possibilities for a civil initiative and for direct citizen participation in making decisions significant for the country or for any community.

• Study the Swiss experience and traditions in conducting referenda.

• Organize demonstrational local referenda in some Bulgarian municipalities aiming at optimization of the technology and extending the practices existing so far.

• Increase the publicity of the referendum procedure and organization by organizing public discussions.

• Elaborate some specific proposals for optimization and amendments to Bulgarian legislation and submit them at the National Assembly for discussion.

• Stimulate positive attitudes for direct citizen participation in government and public pressure for improvement of direct democracy legislation

Content and Encompass of the Project:
Bulgarian legislation is analyzed and Swiss experience is studied in conducting referenda, with the support of some competent specialists from Bulgaria and from Switzerland. Two local referenda were organized in the municipalities of Sevlievo and Elena and Aprilci – members of the Regional Association of Municipalities “Central Stara Planina”.
An analysis of the results was made and based on it some specific proposals have been elaborated and addressed to the National Parliament for updating Bulgarian legislation and expanding the existing practice.

An expert group of Balkan Assist elaborated a project for a completely new Law for direct participation of citizens in government during 2006 – in partnership with local authorities, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB), Bulgarian Media Coalition (BMC), National Association of the Secretaries of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria (NASMRB), Association of the Communication Specialists in the Municipalities (ASCM), regional associations of municipalities and other NGOs and citizens. To submit the law in Parliament we count on the backup and the assistance of the Committee for Legal Matters in the face of its chairman.

In 2006 Balkan Assist joined the information campaign of the transnational initiative for regulation of a right of the European citizens to suggest particular politics and legislation changes in the European union. It was launched in the end of the year and to this very moment it has been supported by 108 non-governmental organizations from all over Europe. The objective is to gather as many signatures as possible and the pressure upon EU institutions to be increased.

Partners of association "Balkan Assist":
Partners of Balkan Assist Association are the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Canton of Bern - Switzerland, National Association of City Secretaries es of the Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgarian Media Coalition, municipalities, parliamentary comissions, local and regioanal associations etc.

For more information:
www.referendum-bg.com