1. MORE VIEWPOINTS, BETTER DECISIONS Iva Taralezhkova, Board Chair

2. What is it? A network of 130 active NGOs from all over Bulgaria
Non-for-profit non-political public entity
A platform for exchange of experience, expertise, and generating citizen energy
A tool for elaboration of consolidated positions
An active participant in the policy-making processes

3. Partners and addressees
NGOs – members, partners, coalitions
Municipalities and City Councils
Media
National institutions; ministries, agencies, the Parliament, etc.
Partners at EU level – ECAS, DCSF, etc.

4. Areas of activity Participatory planning 2014 – 2020
Improvement of regulations regarding citizen participation – local and national level
Development and implementation of Strategy for support to the development of Bulgarian NGOs
Capacity building, exploring and application of working practical models

5. Examples of cooperation
Local level/ municipalities:
Public forums and discussions – budget, development strategies and plans, NGO funding
LEADER strategies and projects
Training of municipal experts and media
Partnership projects and initiatives

6. Examples of cooperation
International level:
Participation in the EUSDR WGroups
Co-organizers of the Participation day
Recommendations for accessible NGO funding
Explore and disseminate good practices

7. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION INDEX
ACTIONS AND INITIATIVES OF CITIZENS, CITIZEN GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT LEAD TO POLICY CHANGE AND IMPACT ON THE DECISIONS MADE

8. METHODOLOGY
Domain 1: ENVIRONMENT OF PARTICIPATION
Legislation
Institutions
Domain 2: PRACTICES OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
- Citizen initiatives
Active citizens
Domain 3: IMPACT/ CHANGE PRODUCED
- Results from citizen initiatives/ participation
- Change in the environment

9. Environment not friendly enough Virtual citizen participation
INDEX BULGARIA 2015
General score - 3,39 out of 6:
PARTICIPATION DEVELOPING
Environment not friendly enough
Virtual citizen participation
Participation not high, not efficient enough, often sporadic and understood by the public
However, some initiatives lead to sustainable changes in the institutions and mobilize citizens

10. MAJOR FINDINGS Non of the domains has a sufficient development score
Institutional environment has the lowest score, followed by the Impact
Legislation is a first, still insufficient step towards a supporting environment
Even unsuccessful experience might bring about some changes in the environment
Instead of being a decoration of government, citizen participation should happen where public finances are distributed

11. RECOMMENDATIONS
Decrease the referendum requirements
Clear definition of public consultations
Publicity in the selection and operation of public councils
Support to the NGOs at local and national level
Introduction of civil education
Improve the access to consultations
Increased activity and competence of citizens

12. WWW.INDEX.FGU.BG © Copyright
Citizen Participation Forum in cooperation with
Bulgarian Centre for Non-for-Profit Law

13. Sounds easy? Definitely – not!!!
Lack of interest and understanding from the authorities
Neglecting NGOs’ and citizens’ opinion
No transparent and timely information
Short deadlines for consultations
Legal framework still not friendly
Lack of expertise in some partners
Apathy, no initiative from citizens
Confrontation instead of dialogue

14. Then, why? Steps are important, even when small ones
A long change process is needed
Citizens have to learn their part, too
Partnership is a win-to-win:
Priorities are broadly consulted
Citizens’ knowledge is considered
Decisions are agreed on

15. It takes two to tango, It takes a network to make the change!!!
To conclude, positively
It takes two to tango,
It takes a network
to make the change!!!