Citizen participation in the processes of regional planning and development in the regions of Lovech and Gabrovo - FINISHED UP

published on 08 June 2009

Citizen participation in the processes of regional planning and development in the regions of Lovech and Gabrovo is a pilot project of Balkan Assist Association with the financial contribution of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland
2004 - 2006

Main Goal:
Optimization of the instruments for local and regional development and for elaboration of regional development plans and strategies with active citizens participation

Sub Goals:
Optimization of the instruments for real citizens participation in the processes of regional development and planning on local and district levels. Providing expertise and support tо local and district administrations to elaborate their Municipal plans and District strategies for regional development.

The project goals include improvement of the regional development and planning tools and the tools for citizen participation in this process by studying the good practices and exchanging experience with the Canton of Bern, Switzerland , the Region of Besanson, France and Slovakia.

Content and Encompass of the Project:
Outlining future priorities on the basis of expert analyses upon the achieved results in Regional Development and Planning in Bulgaria. Balkan Assist helped for the actualization of the municipal plans and district strategies for regional development of the four pilot municipalities and the two district administrations from the project. Trainings are held for representatives of the municipal and regional administrations that take part directly in the process. Public discussions are organized with the participation of all stakeholders for discussion of the actualized documents. The Swiss and French experience is studied and useful and adequate for the Bulgarian circumstances practices and approaches are selected.

Criteria for working out long-term plans and strategies for sustainable development are elaborated with cooperation of Bulgarian and Swiss experts. Concrete proposals for changes and codicils are made for the Regional Development Law.

Partners of association "Balkan Assist":
The project is realized in partnership with Gabrovo, Dryanovo, Teteven and Lukovit municipalities, the governors of Lovech and Gabrovo regions, Ministry of Regional Develoment and Reconctruction and the Parliamentary Local Self-governance and Regional Politic Commission. The Canton of Bern provided expert and financial support and our partners of the French Region of Besancon shared their experience and approaches for planning.