Transnational Cooperation and Capacity building for the inclusion of non-national Roma Munich 15-16 December 2016

Main points Organization of public authorities in Bulgaria Decision making levels Culture of public services Motivation of local officials Some rules to effectively reach Bulgarian public services

Organization of public authorities in Bulgaria PRESIDENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 240 MPs LOCAL AUTHORITIES COUNCIL OF MINISTERS COURT PROSECUTION INVESTIGATION GOVERNOR MAYOR LOCAL COUNCIL VOTERS 1. Parliamentary republic with a separation of powers. 2. Electoral process takes place for … 3. Local Government shall be exercised by regional and municipal administration.

State structure and administrative territorial division of Bulgaria 28 Regions 265 Municipalities over 2500 Mayoralties 1. Administrative-territorial division is a two-course - consists of 28 Regions, divided into 265 municipalities. 2. The lowest units in the hierarchy of executive power are mayoralties – over 2500

Implements the state government at local level THE GOVERNOR Implements the state government at local level Ensures consistency between national and local interests in implementing the regional policy Coordinates the activities in the economic, social and cultural sectors Interacts with the local authorities in the region and other institutions The governor is the sole executive authority in the district, which implements government in place and ensure consistency between national and local interests in implementing the regional policy.

THE MUNICIPALITY The municipality consists of one or more settlements - mayoralties or districts in the cities with population over 100 thousand (Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna)

Local authorities: LOCAL COUNCIL Sets the overall policy for the construction and development of the municipality; Accept and control the implementation of the budget; Determine the amount of local taxes; Decide on any acquisition, management and disposition of municipal property; Adopt decisions on the establishment and approval of development plans for the municipality and their amendments; Approve the structure of the municipal administration; Adopt decisions for making administrative changes affecting the municipality

Executive authority in the municipality: MAYOR Manages the entire executive activity of the municipality, coordinates and supervises the activities of individual units Appoints and dismisses the employees of the municipal administration Organizes the implementation of the decisions of the Municipal Council Implements the budget Reports to the Municipal Council and the citizens; Represents the municipality before individuals and legal entities, public organizations, political parties and the court

Culture of public services Often: Difficult to recognize the problems/challenges No team work Deadlines – strives to prolongation Avoids transparency; Terrified of the word ‘monitoring’   Do not understand and can not apply strategic approach in their work (also legal&administrative provisions) Strong hierarchical relationship of social and employment services Dependency on the political level & party headquarters Expect citizens to serve the administration, and not the opposite

Some rules for effective communication with public cervices Write official letter on paper: with reference number, to whom it is addressed (to the Mayor of ....) specified topic signed and stamped Refer by family name to the mayor: “Dear Mr. Ivanov,…” Do not rely only on the Internet – the e-mails in many municipalities still not registered Send also by fax  Then call on phone and hope they speak English

Thank you!