1. Social capital - a prerequisite for future development

Municipality of Troyan

LOCAL INITIATIVE WITH TRADITIONS

On the territory of the municipality of Troyan there are 22. settlements. Each settlement is characterized by its givens, needs and potential. Each of them forms the general economic development of the municipality. That is why it was important for the local government to find an appropriate form to stimulate the initiative of the inhabitants of the settlements for their development and prosperity. That's how it was created Community Program "Public Forum for Implementation of Affiliate Projects", whose main purpose is to foster partnerships between civil society structures and local authorities through the implementation of joint projects aimed at socially significant activities.

The Municipal Programme kicked off in Troyan municipality in 2000. The programme is announced each year and usually has a budget of BGN 50 thousand in municipal funds. It allows locals to prepare a project in all sphere of public life.

The programme finances 70% of the value of the project proposal, and the applicant provides the remaining 30%, in the form of financial or non-financial participation. The evaluation of the submitted project proposals is performed by the residents of the municipality at a specially announced forum. For the last 19 years, hundreds of local projects have been implemented, mainly to improve the living environment in the villages, to promote the cultural and historical heritage and to improve the tourist product and services.

The municipality of Troyan has very rich natural, cultural and economic potential. The industry has a nearly century-old tradition, based initially on highly developed crafts. Rich and well preserved cultural and historical heritage: historical, architectural and ethnographic sites; religious monuments; monasteries of national and international importance; preserved folk traditions and crafts; interesting museums; rich cultural calendar. The Central Balkan National Park is also unique.

Of course, not all of these local resources are sufficiently used, which is mainly due to the huge financial resources needed for implementation and maintenance. The municipality gives priority to: - Tourist route Via Traiana Balkanica, passing through the municipalities of Sopot, Karlovo Hisar: the longest route in the country, a combination of several types of activities and industries - food, wine, agriculture, hotels and restaurants, balneology and spa tourism. - Sostra Archaeological Complex, including a Roman castle, road and a roadside station, rated as a site of national importance. There are prerequisites for restoration, construction of revenue-generating infrastructure - visitor centre, shopping area with catering and accommodation places; Recreation centre in the village of Shipkovo: the use of mineral water and spa treatment has a hundred-year history, but has not yet been adequately developed. The use of mineral water and balneotherapy in the village of Shipkovo has a hundred-year history, but it has not been developed to a proper level;

Municipality of Bolyarovo

TARGETED POLICY OF SOCIAL BENEFITS

Parents to be exempted from paying kindergarten fees and to receive financial support for students

Since 2011, the municipality has abolished fees for attending kindergarten. As a result, full coverage of children in schools is achieved. The practice is being upgraded by allocating funds to children and students for the preparation of the school year.

Providing incentives to general practitioners and dentists in the municipality of Bolyarovo

Bolyarovo Municipality is a border municipality, covering 20 remote settlements with a total population of 4170 people. With a decision of the municipal council, a number of incentives have been adopted to support the medical care of the population: free municipal housing is provided for doctors and their families, free heating is provided, monthly financial support for each medical practice, municipal premises are provided free of charge. are used by doctors for offices in different villages. The municipality buys a dental chair and equips the dental office, which is used by the dentist free of charge.

The preservation of the social capital of the municipality gives confidence that together with the local people they can socialize and develop the potential for tourism of Malko Sharkovo Dam, the mineral springs of the village of Stefan Karadjovo and the cultural heritage of the village of Voden.

 

Municipality of Lukovit, village of Dermantsi

LEADERSHIP SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS OF NEOFIT RILSKI COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL"

The leadership school is a creation of the local community, which manages to engage parents in the school and social process, and to change the attitudes towards their own development and self-esteem of children and parents, their commitment and motivation in the learning process. The view that school is a place where children are simply present when they are not at home has been overcome. Thus, the school becomes a center of the community, fosters responsibility and interaction, charity and entrepreneurship.

The municipality and the school management in the village of Dermantsi planned upgrade of its community cultural centre through the involvement of local businesses and entrepreneurs to stimulate future growth and orientation of young people and their parents.

Municipality of Polski Trambesh

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF PRIORITY

Polski Trambesh Municipality implements a series of social projects with the desire to be able to help all those in need and to avoid social exclusion. For people who can not cope alone, the municipality provides daily food delivery service. Food for lunch and dinner is delivered in all settlements, to the home of every resident. The service is regular, despite the bad weather conditions and especially during the winter season. Food is delivered to 350 residents of the municipality every day.

Due to funding difficulties, the municipality maintains staff only for food preparation and delivery. There is no financial possibility to hire more staff than is needed in order to be able to provide as a service the cleaning of the dwelling, small communal services, medical and psychological counseling. For these services the municipality uses various national and European programs and projects, but this is for a short time - for the duration of the projects, which leads to fear and insecurity in people.

Another problem is the depreciated material base and vehicles. The premises of the in-home welfare catering service were built in 1979 and despite the numerous repairs so far, they need major renovation and restoration. Vehicles that reach all settlements of the municipality on a daily basis, are depreciated and the municipality spends a lot of money on maintaining them.

Polski Trambesh has the potential to develop the in-home welfare catering service, whereby it will prioritise community-based social services and thus create conditions for independent living and social inclusion for disabled people living alone. This will minimise the need for institutional type of care.

Given the registered sustainable trends for reduction and aging of the population in Polski Trambesh municipality, the strategic priority for the coming years is to provide adequate services for the elderly and people living on their own.

Lyaskovets Municipality

TRADITIONS IN HORTICULTURE AND MODERN BUSINESS POLICIES

Small municipalities in Bulgaria are characterized by a lower level of civic activity, as well as limited resources to improve the environment and the quality of life. Another problem is the shortage of funding opportunities for local civil society organizations, which are not traditionally competitive to apply under operational programmes or international donors. In response, the municipality of Lyaskovets has developed and launched a Fund for Support of Local Initiatives together with the Agora platform, where community cultural centers, NGOs and inter-block spaces can receive up to BGN 3000 for small projects in the municipality of Lyaskovets.

The Fund aims to provide sustainable local financial resources to support civic activity based on the municipal budget, which guarantees the sustainability of the process over time while focusing on local priorities and local development. Projects can be submitted by NGOs registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act, community cultural centres under the Public Community Cultural Centres Act, condominiums under the Condominium Management Act, operating in Lyaskovets Municipality, which contribute to local community development.

There were two calls for proposals - in 2018 and 2019, and the projects were tagged to priority 'Community innovation to improve the environment and quality of life’. They transformed the space in the Museum of Expatriate Gardening as a new cultural space in the town, partially renovated the community cultural centres, improved intergenerational communication by organising cultural and folklore events at kindergartens and retirement clubs. priority "Community innovation for improving the environment and quality of life". They transformed the space in the Museum of Horticultural Gardening as a new cultural space in the city, the community centers have been partially renovated, communication between generations has been improved by organizing cultural and folklore events in kindergartens and retirement clubs.

Enrichment of the cultural calendar. In the town of Lyaskovets there are XNUMX registered buildings - cultural monuments, mostly from the National Revival period, related to local history and culture. Lyaskovets houses the only Museum of Expatriate Gardening, located in the most attractive part of the town - Landzhov Dvor, which is a cultural monument of the National Revival period. The monastery ensemble of St. St. Apostles Peter and Paul is perched on the inaccessible rocks of the Arbanassi plateau, overlooking the town of Lyaskovets. Over the past XNUMX years, Lyaskovets has enriched its cultural calendar with six new events - national and international festivals and fairs.. On the territory of the town of Lyaskovets there are 120 registered buildings - monuments of culture, mainly Renaissance, connected with the local history and culture. The town of Lyaskovets is home to the one-of-a-kind Museum of Horticultural Gardening, located in the most attractive part of the city - the Landzov Dvor, which is a cultural monument of the Renaissance. The inaccessible rocks of the Arbanash Plateau, over the town of Lyaskovets are dominated by the monastery ensemble "St. St. Apostles Peter and Paul. " In the last 5 years, the Lyaskovets municipality has enriched its cultural calendar with six new events - national and international festivals and fairs.

Attracting investors

Lyaskovets Municipality implements a number of policies and initiatives in support of small and medium business. In the last four years alone, more than 60 new companies have established production bases and logistics centers on the territory of Lyaskovets municipality. The municipality can now boast of three economic zones, and the investor interest continues to be in constant dynamics. The initiative of the Municipality of Lyaskovets to improve the information services for citizens and businesses is the launch of the "Entrepreneur Information Desk", which provides information for starting a business, funding opportunities and all procedures related to the exercise of economic activity. The Local Initiative Group "Lyaskovets - Strazhitsa" is supported, which provides funding to support business, agriculture and tourism. Assistance is provided to small and medium-sized businesses to participate in international trade fairs and exhibitions organized by the twin municipalities of Lyaskovets Municipality. These policies can be further developed and upgraded.

  

Smyadovo Municipality

MOBILE TEAM FOR SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

To provide quality care in a family environment for people with disabilities and people living on their own in need of constant care and to create conditions for their social inclusion and overcoming social isolation, as well as to provide conditions for active professional life for families with children with disability, Smyadovo municipality decided to lend a hand and set up a mobile support team to provide a range of social and health services. The practice covers all settlements in the municipality. Initially, the mobile group was created and was part of the activities under the project ‘Quality care for a decent life in the municipality of Smyadovo under OP Human Resources Development XNUMX-XNUMX. The practice includes a package of social activities to support people at risk of social exclusion, part-time home-based assistant support for activities where the user encounters difficulties, professional support from a social worker, psychologist, nurse, depending on the needs in a home environment, remote support in a risk situation - the user can give a call via a personal device (remote care). Users of this service are the persons from the target group who have applied for the use of the social service, as well as other people with disabilities and elderly people at risk who live in a home environment. In some cases, people with disabilities have to use health services of medical specialists from the district town, as there are none in the municipality. For this purpose, a specialised vehicle was purchased, which also supplies medicines that are not available at local pharmacies. To attend social events, people with disabilities need to be transported - the vehicle is equipped with a specialised wheelchair platform. Based on a schedule, the vehicle is used by the psychologist, the nurse and the social worker to provide home-based services to people who are unable to move due to illness. The specialised means of transport provides people with access to social and cultural events in the municipality of Smyadovo, which are important for maintaining contacts and their inclusion in the life of the municipality. After the end of the project period, the activities of the mobile group were reduced in capacity for several months, after which funding was provided from the municipal budget. and creating conditions for their social inclusion and overcoming social exclusion, as well as providing conditions for active working life for families with children with disabilities, Smyadovo Municipality decided to lend a hand and create "Mobile support team through the provision of a range of social health services. " The practice covers all settlements on the territory of the municipality

Initially, the mobile group was created and was part of the activities under the project “Quality Care for a Decent Life in the Smyadovo Municipality” of the Smyadovo Municipality under Operational Program “Human Resources Development” 2014-2020.

The essence of the social service includes a package of social activities to support people at risk of social exclusion, hourly support at home for activities in which the user encounters difficulties, professional support from a social worker, psychologist, nurse, depending on the needs of the home environment, remote support in a situation of risk - by signaling by the user through personal equipment / remote care /. The users of this service are the persons from the target group who have applied for the use of the social service, as well as other people with disabilities and the elderly, at risk, living in a home environment.

In some cases, it is necessary for people with disabilities to use health services of medical specialists from the regional city, since there are no such facilities in the municipality. As a result, a specialized vehicle was purchased. It also supplies medicines that are not available at local pharmacies. When attending social events, there is also a need to move people with disabilities - the vehicle is equipped with a specialized wheelchair platform. According to the schedule, the vehicle is used by a psychologist, nurse and social worker to provide services in the homes of persons who are unable to move due to illness. The specialized vehicle provides people with access to social and cultural activities of the Smyadovo municipality, which are important for maintaining contacts and their inclusion in the life of the municipality. After the expiration of the project, the activities of the mobile group were reduced for several months, after which the financing from the municipal budget was provided.

Developing in social entrepreneurship.

The overall goal is to develop social entrepreneurship in the municipality of Smyadovo as a factor for improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups and their sustainable social integration through economic and social activity. We have the necessary human resources and material base, but there are no funds to launch innovative models for the development of social entrepreneurship. The most common problem we face is access to finance. Social enterprises on the territory of Smyadovo municipality include people who want and can carry out economic activity or other activity for the benefit of society, and not only for personal gain. The activities we would like to implement together with our social centers are: 1. "Establishment of a treatment facility for old clothing and textiles for the separation and reuse of textile waste." Old clothes and textiles will be collected by placing special containers in the town of Smyadovo and at the processing point. The entire processing will be carried out by users of social homes in the territory of Smyadovo. 2. Establishment of municipal social catering enterprise - Smyadovo aimed at providing warm food for the population of Smyadovo municipality. The establishment of the social enterprise will ensure employment of disabled people and disadvantaged people in the labor market and other socially excluded persons (inactive and unemployed persons) and will support the process of their socialization and restoration of working habits.

Municipality of Topolovgrad

Social innovation

Social innovation is necessary as the municipal administration and the social partners do not have sufficient capacity to identify and put in place new models and practices in social activities, and because the social services available for ethnic and vulnerable communities are very inefficient in terms of potential for social inclusion. Current models of work for social inclusion are outdated and do not offer flexibility at the required level of efficiency, so the municipal administration, in coordination with the social partners, needs to embrace new ideas, approaches and practices in this area and ensure their sustainable implementation on the basis of built capacity and established partnerships. There were XNUMX activities for inclusion through employment of Roma and long-term unemployed: XNUMX. DZZD Agricultural Cooperative Roma - Topolovgrad was established and the partners joined forces to achieve the following common business goals: - Production of agricultural products in Topolovgrad municipality; - Marketing and sale of fair trade products; - Participation in the traditional autumn fair in the town of Topolovgrad; - Involvement in contracts to place on the market agricultural produce jointly obtained by the partners. Topolovgrad municipality will support the operation and development of agricultural cooperative Roma by engaging in various types of activities. XNUMX. The enterprise Support for Social Inclusion was set up under a project financed under the procedure ‘Development of Social Entrepreneurship’ under OP Human Resources Development. The newly established social enterprise provides community-based services by opening a soup kitchen and providing home-based personal assistance to people in need of care and support. The municipality has a potential to develop substantially a tourism product to attract both Bulgarian and foreign tourists. Cultural and historical landmarks of significant tourist potential are associated with the ancient inhabitants of the region - the Thracians (dolmens, sanctuaries, etc.) and Eastern Orthodox religious monuments (monasteries, churches, rock churches, chapels). Sakar Mountain is a Bulgarian megalithic park, centred around Topolovgrad, where the largest number of these interesting and mysterious human creations is preserved. The ruins of the Bukelon fortress (near the village of Matochina) and Kastra Rubra fortress (near the village of Izvorovo) can be used as tourist attractions. The area boasts of well preserved early Christian rock churches from the XNUMXth century. The St. Trinity Monastery is a place of worship of importance for the entire Sakar mountain, whereas the municipality has over XNUMX Orthodox churches overall. Some preserved local customs, songs, people, cuisine and aromatic and intoxicating local wines and brandies are a point of interest. All this, coupled with down-to-earth local hospitality, also presents a good basis for tourism development.

2 activities for inclusion through Roma employment and long-term unemployed were implemented:

1. The Agricultural cooperative Roma-Topolovgrad was established and the partners united to achieve the following common economic goals:

- Realization of production of agricultural products on the territory of Topolovgrad municipality;

- Marketing and sale of conscientiously obtained products;

- Participation in the traditional autumn fair in the town of Topolovgrad;

- Participation for execution of contracts with subject of realization on the market of the agricultural production jointly obtained by the partners.

Topolovgrad Municipality will support the functioning and development of the established agricultural cooperative "Roma" by engaging in various types of activities.  

2. An Enterprise for Social Inclusion Support was established in the Municipality of Topolovgrad under a project financed under the procedure of Social Entrepreneurship Development under OP Human Resources Development 2014-2020. The newly established social enterprise provides community services by opening a social kitchen and providing personal assistance in the homes of individuals in need of care and assistance.

The municipality of Topolovgrad has a number of assets that can be used to create a significantly expanded tourist product that will attract both Bulgarian and foreign tourists. The cultural and historical landmarks that have significant tourist potential are related to the ancient inhabitants of the area - Thracians / dolmens, shrines, etc. / and Eastern Orthodox religious monuments / monasteries, churches, rock churches, chapels /.

Sakar Mountain is a Bulgarian megalithic park, and its center is the municipality of Topolovgrad, where most of these interesting and mysterious human creations are preserved.

As tourist attractions near the area can be used the remains of the fortresses "Bukelon" / near the village of Matocina / and "Castra Rubra" / near the village of Izvorovo /. Early Christian rock churches dating back to the 30th century are preserved in the area. The Eastern Orthodox shrine for the whole of Sakar Mountain is the monastery "St. Trinity ”and also more than XNUMX Orthodox churches in the municipality.

Some preserved local customs, songs, people and cuisine, as well as aromatic and intoxicating local wines and brandies, all of which are complemented by the local hospitality, also represent a good base for tourism development.

 

Omurtag Municipality

CONSISTENT POLICY TARGETING VULNERABLE GROUPS

The municipality pursues a targeted social policy to improve the quality of life of persons at risk. At the end of XNUMX it completed a project entitled ‘Assistance for Independent Living’ under OP Human Resources Development, designed to continue and expand the home-based service set up under ‘Home-Based Assistance’ procedure within an existing in-home welfare catering service (a total of XNUMX users received social and health services at home). Project ‘Kitchen equipment for in-home welfare catering service in the town of Omurtag’, financed by the Social Protection Fund was implemented in XNUMX. This involved activities for delivery and installation of new kitchen equipment. In the kitchen of the in-home welfare catering service prepared food for the users of a community-based social service. Since XNUMX November XNUMX, project ‘Providing warm lunch in Omurtag’, funded by the Operational Programme for Food and/or Basic Material Assistance, has been under implementation. In XNUMX, the implementation of the project ‘Active inclusion of people with disabilities and their families for successful realisation’ was completed. Under the project, XNUMX users with disabilities received a social integrated service, including healthcare, and psychological support, and XNUMX carers of disabled people from the above group of users, were involved in vocational training for a social assistant in helping adults and providing integrated social service; XNUMX carers of disabled people from the above group of users, took part in vocational training for a landscaping worker in landscaping and floriculture; XNUMX carers of disabled people from the above users, were involved in vocational training for construction assistant in the field basic and finishing works. These projects enable family members of service users at working age, to remain in employment or to start work. Plans for future development and upgrading include providing funding to expand the capacity of services in order to cover a larger number of users in more settlements of the municipality. Thus, the provision of home-based health and social services for adults over XNUMX years who are not able to take care of themselves and people with disabilities will be carried out across the municipality and will allow the relatives of the users who are of working age, to remain in employment, start work or start their own business. The municipal management is looking for opportunities to attract investors and encourage local businesses through active management of the agricultural and forestry fund, through the completion of transport and technical infrastructure and expansion of the industrial zone of the town of Omurtag.

At the end of 2017, the Municipality of Omurtag completed the implementation of the project "Assistance for Independent Living" under the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" 2014 - 2020, which continued and expanded the activities of the unit created under the procedure "Assistance at Home" for services in the home environment to the existing "Home Social Patronage" (A total of 98 users received social and health services in the home environment) .. In 2016, the Project "Equipment of the kitchen unit of" Home Social Patronage "Omurtag “. Funded by the Social Protection Fund. Activities for delivery and installation of new kitchen equipment have been implemented. In the kitchen of the Home Social Patronage food is also prepared for the users of the social service in the community "Public Dining Room".

As of November 01.11.2016, 2018, the project "Providing a hot lunch in Omurtag", funded by the Operational Program for Food and / or Basic Material Support, is in the process of implementation. In 58 completed the implementation of the Project "Active inclusion of people with disabilities and their families for successful implementation." In the project, 20 users with disabilities received a socially integrated service, including health care from honey. persons and psychological support, and - 18 persons caring for a person with a disability from the mentioned users were included in vocational training in the profession "Social Assistant", specialty: "Assistance to adults" and provision of socially integrated service; - 18 persons caring for a person with a disability from the mentioned users were included in vocational training in the profession "Landscaping Worker", specialty "Landscaping and Floriculture" employment; - XNUMX persons caring for a person with a disability from the mentioned users were included in vocational training in the profession “Construction Assistant”, specialty “Basic and finishing works” employment. Through the projects implemented above, family members of service users who are of working age have been given the opportunity to stay employed or start working.

Plans for future development and upgrading include providing funding to expand the capacity of the services to reach more users in more localities in the municipality.

Thus, the provision of health and social services in a home for the elderly over 65 with disability and disabled people will be carried out throughout the municipality and will enable the relatives of users of working age to stay in employment. , start a business or own a business.

The municipal government is also looking for opportunities to attract investors and encourage local business through active management of the agricultural and forestry fund, by completing the transport and technical infrastructure and expanding the industrial zone of the city of Omurtag.

 

Municipality of Strelcha

THE FUTURE BELONG TO CHILDREN HOLIDAY PROGRAMME FOR WORK WITH CHILDREN ‘CHILDREN'S SUMMER’

Children's Summer Vacation Work Program

Strelcha Municipality, together with the local commission for combating anti-social behavior of minors, has developed and is implementing a program for holiday work with children aged 7 to 16.

Children's Summer aims to help the development of children in different sectors to achieve more effective protection in all spheres of public life. By engaging in their free time with enjoyable activities, it provokes in them a desire to develop creative, sports or other skills, to build on knowledge and to form socially engaged young people.

The planned activities are aimed at the prevention and counteraction of aggressive behavior, use of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, Internet addiction and other dangerous behaviors, so relevant among adolescents and students. The activities set for implementation in the program have a focus in various areas, attracting as partners in individual events Historical Museum - Strelcha, National Chitalishte "Enlightenment", police station. Types of events include:

• Organizing Games «Treasure Quest»
• Presentations on local archeological heritage
• Hiking in nature to learn about the diversity of native flora and fauna
• Planting flower beds in parks and school yards
• Colorful Appliques with Natural Materials
• Pet exhibitions
• Separate waste collection games
• «The policeman - a friend of the child»
• Sports events - football tournaments, chess tournaments, "Fast, bold and smart", archery.
• Drawing on asphalt

As a result of the implementation of the program "Children's Summer" and the involvement of children in their free time, allows for full organized recreation, while protecting from risky situations on the street and the formation of harmful habits, enriches the child's personality with knowledge and skills from different areas of knowledge in game form. Their desire to prove and affirm themselves is stimulated. The hidden interests and talents of children are touched.

The national spa resort of Strelcha is recognizable with its unique historical and geographical characteristics, natural and historical landmarks, healing mineral springs and rose plantations.

Mineral springs

Strelchanska mineral water treats diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, kidney-urological, metabolic-endocrine, biliary-liver and gynecological diseases. There is a municipal medical - rehabilitation complex with a mineral bath; medical rehabilitation center - equipped with modern equipment for physiotherapy and exercise therapy; indoor swimming pool for sports and preventive purposes. We also have an outdoor mineral beach with sports facilities.

Rose production

Rose production in Strelcha dates back to the first years after the Liberation. Currently, Strelcha is one of the largest rose production centers with over 4000 decares of rose plantations. The combination of fertile soil and favorable climate create conditions for obtaining the highest quality rose oil in the country. There are two distilleries for the production of rose products on the territory of the town, one of which is the second oldest operating rose brewery in Bulgaria, built in 1953, where the process of extracting rose oil can be traced. The Rose Festival, which is traditionally held on the last Saturday of May, is one of the most remarkable holidays, dedicated to the beauty and flowers, spring and the fragrance of the oil-bearing rose. It is supplemented by The Middle Ages Ethnographic Festival presents and promotes the music, dances and customs of Srednogorie.

However, all these things must be integrated into a single tourist product, through which the destination should be popularized and attract a significant number of consumers who will return again and prefer Strelcha over other competitive balneo resorts.

Sredets Municipality

USE OF FOREST AREAS AND ECO-TOURISM

The Municipality of Sredets implemented a project funded by the EEA Grants 2009-2014 ‘Sustainable development through multicultural education - care for children at risk in the municipality of Sredets’. Sredets municipality consists of XNUMX settlements with compact groups of Roma population, exposed to social risks such as unemployment, poverty and geographical isolation. According to data from the XNUMX national census, the Roma ethnic group constitutes XNUMX% of residents and XNUMX% of the unemployed population of the municipality. A parallel problem is the high birth rate in families with insufficient resources to take care of a child and parental practices that prevent the socialisation of children at a later age. XNUMX children up to the age of XNUMX attend childcare in the municipality; in XNUMX XNUMX children were born in the municipality, a third of them in neighborhoods with compact Roma population who are exposed to constant social risks. The children in vulnerable social situation in the municipality exceed XNUMX%. A good practice of the municipality is the appointment of Roma mediators who have door-to-door meetings with Roma parents. These meetings are meant to involve parents (Roma and others) in socialisation of themselves and their children. After the completion of the project, one of the Roma mediators continued to work at the municipality of Sredets. He currently works with people from vulnerable groups to join the community, develop work skills, participate in training and provide employment. In the future we intend to build on the results achieved by the activities of Roma mediators by continuing their participation in future projects, including under the Programme for Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups. The municipality of Sredets has the opportunity to become a sustainable self-governing community with an economy based on local resources, with modern infrastructure and quality living environment. The most important pillars for the development of the municipal economy, predominantly based on local resources are: Municipal forests They are concentrated in the southeastern part of the municipality and cover a total area of XNUMX ha. The forest territories are managed by the Municipal Forests enterprise. Besides coniferous and deciduous timber, forest areas are used for - mushrooms, herbs, wild berries, etc., and hunting and rural tourism. In order to encourage the local economy, we plan to develop and implement a project for utilization of waste wood and biomass for heating. It will provide opportunities for new jobs and alternative heating for the local population, which will contribute to improving the socio-economic development of the municipality. Tourism Favourable conditions have been created in the municipality of Sredets, which attract more and more tourists who want to escape from the noise of the big city and the busy everyday life. The strategic geographical location of Sredets municipality - close to the regional city of Burgas, the fresh air and the beautiful nature of Strandzha mountain, makes it a desirable destination. Providing information (sample itineraries, tourist sites, natural attractions, cultural and historical traditions) would be easier with the setup of a Tourist Information Centre, which can bring together practical information in the form of flyers, brochures, tourist maps, almanac, etc. For the needs of ecotourism it is necessary to create new eco trails with places for recreation - shelters with benches and tables. In the municipality of Sredets there are cultural and historical sites that are in hard-to-reach places. To boost visits, information boards will attract the attention of tourists and guide them to the site.

Sredets Municipality includes 32 settlements with compact groups of Roma population, exposed to social risks such as unemployment, poverty and geographical isolation. According to data from the national census in 2011, the Roma ethnic group makes up 15.5% of the population and 75% of the unemployed population of Sredets municipality. A parallel problem is the high birth rate of children in families with insufficient opportunities for raising a child and parental practices that prevent the socialization of children at a later age. The kindergartens on the territory of the municipality are currently attended by 684 children up to 6 years of age, and in 2011 on the territory of the municipality were born 177 children, one third of whom are in neighborhoods with compact Roma population, which are constantly exposed to social risks. . The children in vulnerable social situation on the territory of the municipality exceed 90%. What we want to share as a good practice on the project is the appointment of Roma mediators, who held door-to-door meetings with parents from the Roma population. The purpose of these meetings is to attract parents (Roma and others) to the process of socialization of themselves and their children.

After the completion of the project, one of the Roma mediators continued to work in Sredets Municipality. He is currently working with people from vulnerable groups to integrate them into the community, develop work skills, engage in training and provide employment.

In the future, we intend to build on the results achieved by the activities of Roma mediators by continuing their participation in future projects, incl. under the Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Programs.

Sredets Municipality has the opportunities to become a sustainable self-governing community with an economy based on local resources and comparative advantages, with modern infrastructure and quality living environment. The most significant points of reference for the development of the Municipal Economy, primarily based on local resources, are:

Municipal forests

The municipal forest territories of Sredets Municipality are concentrated in the southeastern part of the Municipality and have a total area of ​​21 ha. The forest territories are managed by the Municipal Enterprise “Municipal Forests” in Sredets. In addition to the extraction of deciduous and coniferous wood from the forest areas, a number of by-products are extracted, such as mushrooms, herbs, wild fruits, etc., as well as activities such as hunting and rural tourism. In order to encourage the local economy, it is planned to develop and implement a project for utilization of waste wood and biomass for heating. It will provide opportunities for new jobs and alternative heating for the local population, which in turn will contribute to improving the socio-economic development of the municipality.

Tourism.

With the progress and development of rural tourism in Bulgaria, favorable conditions have been created in the municipality of Sredets, which are attracting more and more tourists who want to escape from the noise of the big city and the busy everyday life. The strategic geographical location of Sredets Municipality - close to the regional city of Bourgas and the clean air and beautiful nature of the Strandja Mountain make it a desirable destination for many people. Providing information (example routes, tourist sites, natural landmarks, cultural and historical customs) would be easier if a Tourist Information Center (TIC) was created to gather all this useful information in the form of flyers, brochures, tourist cards, almanac and more. For the needs of ecotourism lovers it is necessary to create new eco trails with places for recreation - shelter with benches and tables. In Sredets municipality there are cultural and historical sites that are difficult to access. In order to increase their attendance, information boards should be designed and installed to attract tourists' attention and direct them to the site.

Municipality of Dolna Mitropolia

CATERING SERVICE FOR INDEPENDENT AND DECENT LIFE

The good practice project is funded under a scheme № BG05M9OP001-2.040-0054-C01 of Human Resources Development Operational Program 2014-2020

Focusing on a best practice, the project is funded under scheme No. BGXNUMXMXNUMXOPXNUMX-XNUMX-XNUMX-CXNUMX of Operational Programme Human Resources Development XNUMX-XNUMX. It is aimed at upgrading the established model for providing hourly mobile integrated health and social services for the elderly, and will build upon the outcome of project ‘Home-based care for independent and decent life’, implemented by the Bulgarian Red Cross together with the MLSP and the MoH with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme coupled with co-financing from the institutions. The aim of the project is to meet the needs of the target groups to the greatest extent, given that in addition to the services provided by the current team, the opportunity to meet with a psychologist will be provided. The team will provide mobile hourly services in home environment - for personal and health care, for social support and for assistance in communal activities to a minimum of XNUMX people in need for a period of XNUMX months. The project guarantees higher efficiency of the available services in the use of significantly less financial resources by applying flexible mechanisms for combined hourly use of different social services, oriented to the individual needs of each user. The services provided in a family environment will be tailored to the individual needs, desires and living conditions of consumers. A suitable car was purchased to reach the homes of the users and, if necessary, to transport them to healthcare facilities, administrative buildings, etc. Training is provided to the persons who provide integrated social service in order to be fully prepared and competent in its provision. The municipality plans to develop tourism as additional or alternative employment (in view of the agricultural bias of the territory). In this respect the nature in the village of Baikal is most attractive or promising; it is located on the banks of the Danube and is highly rich in biodiversity, offering conditions for fishing and recreation. There is also port infrastructure that needs investment to present new opportunities for tourism or river navigation. The village of Baikal has a place planned for the construction of a new villa zone, there is a campsite along the route of the TID international regatta from the Black Forest to Silistra on the Danube. Natural attractions feature the areas of Lagera, Oresha, Parka in the village of Oryahovitsa and protected sites are fossilized trees near the river Iskar and stems in the Kaleto area in the village of Stavertsi. In some localities of the municipality ruins of ancient tombs, ancient settlements, Roman roads have been found. There are no hotels or holiday homes built in Dolna Mitropolia municipality. There are no restaurants and information and advertising centres. Most of the accommodation facilities in the municipality need renovation. The main accommodation places are located in the village of Baikal, which defines it as a major tourist destination and resort village in the municipality. The total number of beds for accommodation is about XNUMX, of which XNUMX beds are in the village of Baikal. There are three adjacent islands, managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and they are suitable for hunting tourism.

The purpose of the project is to respond to the needs of the target groups as much as possible, given that in addition to the services provided by the existing team, the opportunity will be provided for meetings with a psychologist. The team will provide mobile hourly services in a home environment - for personal and health care, for social support and for assistance in communal activities to a minimum of 80 needy persons over a 12-month period. The project guarantees higher efficiency of the provided services when using significantly less financial resources through the application of flexible mechanisms for combined hourly use of different social services, oriented to the individual needs of each user. The services provided in a family environment will be tailored to the individual needs, desires and living conditions of the users. For this purpose, a suitable car was purchased with which the service providers can reach the homes of the consumers and, if necessary, transport them to health facilities, administrative buildings and more. Training is provided to persons performing the integrated social service in order to be fully prepared and competent in providing it.

The municipality plans to develop tourism as additional or alternative employment (according to the agricultural profile of the territory).

The most attractive or promising in this respect is the nature in the village of Baikal, which is located on the bank of the Danube river and is characterized by extremely high biodiversity and fishing and recreation conditions. There is also a port infrastructure that needs investment to present new opportunities for tourism development or river navigation. In the village of Baikal there is a site envisaged for the construction of a new villa zone, there is a camping site along the international regatta "Tit" from Black Forest to Silistra along the Danube.

Natural landmarks are also the area "Lagera", "Oresha", "Parka" in the village of Oryahovitsa, and protected sites are petrified trees near the river Iskar and stems in the area "Kaleto" in the village of Stavertsi. Remains of ancient necropolises, ancient settlements, Roman roads have been found in some settlements of the municipality. There are no hotels and holiday homes built on the territory of Dolna Mitropolia municipality. There are also no restaurants and information and advertising centers. Most of the shelters and accommodation on the territory of the municipality need repair.

The accommodation is mainly located in the village of Baikal, which defines it as the main tourist destination and resort village in the municipality. The total number of beds is about 85, of which 60 are in the village of Baikal. The adjacent islands managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are 3 in number and are suitable for hunting tourism.

Silistra municipality

PUBLIC WORKS IN MAYORALTIES

The mayoralties in the Municipality of Silistra take an active part in the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the campaign "For a clean environment". It is held every year in two directions: activities related to the implementation of projects aimed at town halls and activities related to the implementation of projects aimed at kindergartens and schools. At the moment, more than 30 pieces have been completed. projects. City halls and educational institutions from all villages in the Municipality of Silistra took part. Among the completed projects are: "Construction of a playground with a recreation area" in the village of Srebarna, "Construction of a playground with a recreation area" in the village of Aydemir, "Creation of a playground with a recreation area in the village of Kalipetrovo", "Construction of a playground and recreation area" in the village of Bradvari, "Recreation and recreation area" in the village of Srebarna, "Creation of green gardens with places for recreation and games ”in the village of Bogorovo and others. For the future development and upgrading of the listed projects, the Municipality of Silistra is looking for various tools for building good infrastructure between the villages - both from the local budget, funds provided by the state budget and through programs funded by the EU. Thus, in recent years, main streets in the villages of Srebarna, Kalipetrovo, Aydemir, Sratsimir, Yordanovo, Bradvari, M. Tsenovich have been repaired. 

The municipality of Silistra is a combination of rich nature, ancient history and established national importance. The municipality of Silistra is a key transport point, as key railway, water and road transport corridors pass through its territory. The fertile Polish territories open up opportunities for recreation and intensive agriculture. The Danube's wealth and the Srebarna Nature Reserve create tourism opportunities in the coastal areas of the municipality. The preserved rural traditions, community centers and churches are an unlimited resource for contact between the different sites and the building of a system of local cultural routes. - fuller and more creative municipal development.

Municipality of Pomorie

RENEWAL OF THE EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN VILLAGES

Pomorie Municipality pursues a targeted policy for renovation of educational establishments in small settlements in order to cover children from vulnerable groups and their subsequent inclusion in the educational system. Good practices in this regard are:

1. The construction of a new nursery in the town of Aheloy, a branch of the Temenuga kindergarten - the project includes a two-storey building - a nursery for 2 groups of 15 children aged 10 months to 3 years. The branch of Temenuga Kindergarten, Aheloy (settlement of less than 10 people) will have enough space for games and activities for young children. Each group will have its own bedroom, dressing room, kitchen, bathrooms and utility rooms and play areas. There will also be a separate outdoor play area in the yard, different from the one for older children. The new building will have a separate boiler room, doctor's office, ramp for children with disabilities and parking.
2. Renovation of educational infrastructure - municipality. Pomorie ”. The project is implemented under the Operational Program "Regional Development" (2007-2013). Construction and installation works have been carried out for renovation and modernization of 3 key sites of the educational infrastructure, 2 of which are in the settlements of less than 10 people - the building of DG "Srebarno Zvanche" - Stratsin and the building of DG "Temenuga" - the town of Aheloy

The Municipality of Pomorie has a number of advantages of natural-climatic and geographical nature, which, however, have not been sufficiently used. One of the main problems of the tourism industry, which due to the favorable natural conditions of the municipality of Pomorie is structurally important for the local economy, is the underdeveloped infrastructure inside the municipality, namely in settlements with less than 10 people.

The condition of public buildings of educational and cultural nature in the rural area of ​​the municipality (community centers, schools, kindergartens) is also unsatisfactory. To overcome these shortcomings, the need for improvement of technical and social infrastructure has been identified, which will improve and modernize the economic development and contribute to overcoming the isolation of the settlements outside the administrative center of the Municipality of Pomorie.

The quality of education is one of the main prerequisites for the successful integration of persons from minority groups, prevailing in the small settlements in the municipality of Pomorie. There is an urgent need to integrate innovative and interactive teaching methods to improve the learning process through digitalisation. It is also necessary to improve the infrastructure through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

 

 

Municipality of Krichim

30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL SERVICES

The municipality consistently and successfully develops a set of social services. On its territory there are: - Community Support Centre, whose target group is children at risk of abandonment, children with special needs, children at risk of dropping out or drop-outs of the education system and children at risk or victims of violence; - Daycare centre for the elderly, which has been operating for XNUMX years and has established itself as a well-functioning structure for overcoming social isolation of the elderly. The centre offers a number of social, health and educational services; - In-home welfare catering service has been operating since XNUMX and is financed entirely from the municipal budget. It provides household assistance and food in the homes of the elderly and disabled; - Since XNUMX there is a baby nutrition centre, which is entirely modernized and feeds about XNUMX children daily. The joint planning with the local business and the public emphasizes the potential for utilization of the municipality’s cultural, historical and natural heritage. The cultural and historical heritage of Krichim includes valuable sites: the fortress with the Assen‘с inscription; the three monasteries – Saint Mary, St. Vrach, St. St. Kozma and Damyan; mounds-tombs. Besides them, the municipality boasts of beautiful and preserved nature. The Izgoryaloto Gyune area was categorized as a reserve in XNUMX, and has rare species of juniper. Natural landmarks include the Krichim mineral spring. It has a significant flow rate and the water is healing. So far, the mineral spring has not been used effectively. The presence of the mineral spring and its significant flow is a good prerequisite for future development. This can be done by finding a concessionaire for the spring or investors interested in promoting it and using its healing properties.

- Community Support Center, whose target group is children at risk of abandonment, children with special needs, children at risk of dropping out or dropping out of the education system and children at risk or victims of violence;

- Day care center for the elderly, which has been operating for 11 years and has established itself as a well-functioning structure for overcoming the social isolation of the elderly. The center offers a number of social, health and educational services;

- Domestic social patronage has been operating since 1990 and is financed entirely from the municipal budget. Provides household assistance and food in the homes of the elderly and disabled;

- Since 1998, the children's dairy kitchen has been operating, which has been mainly modernized and feeds about 60 children daily.

The joint planning with the local business and the public emphasizes the potential for utilization of the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the municipality. The cultural and historical heritage of Krichim includes valuable: "Kaleto" with Assen's inscription; the three monasteries - “St. The Mother of God ”,“ St. Doctor ”,“ St. St. Silversmiths Kozma and Damyan ”; the presence of mounds-tombs. Besides all this, this part of our country is endowed with the beauty of the mountains and the benefits of nature. This is evidenced by the reserve "Burnt Gune", which was categorized in 1999 and grows a rare species of juniper. Among the natural landmarks is the Krichim mineral spring. It has a significant flow rate and the water is healing. So far, the mineral spring is not used effectively. The presence of the mineral spring and its significant flow is a good prerequisite for its future widespread use. This can be done by giving the source a concession or looking for investors who will be interested in promoting it and using its healing options.

 

Veliko Tarnovo municipality

LOCAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE

The municipality of Veliko Tarnovo annually holds a competition to select project proposals under the Programme for Local Communities Initiatives, which started in XNUMX and has become one of the most successful models for investment of local communities. Over its XNUMX-year period of implementation, the municipality has invested in the ideas of local communities about BGN XNUMX million in total. It has implemented small projects of local importance, approved on a competitive basis. Funded activities include reconstruction of squares; rehabilitation of street lanes; energy efficiency measures for municipal property; repair of children's sports grounds, etc. Eligible for funding under the programme are projects implemented in mayoralties and parishes, as candidates may be LAGs, non-profit associations and community cultural centres. Protecting the lives and health of children One of the main pending problems in today's society is to protect the life and health of children and improve their well-being. The municipality of Veliko Tarnovo is working effectively in this direction, and in XNUMX the country’s first Centre for Prevention and Sports was opened in the village of Balvan. The centre has an equipped gym and specialised premises for fire and road safety and first aid in case of accidents, disasters and accidents, as well as XNUMX outdoor playgrounds for road and fire safety, outdoor survival and cycling. The Centre is a joint initiative of the municipality, the Regional Police Directorate, the regional Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection, charity St Ivan Rilski Association in the village of Balvan, the Association of Mayors and Deputy Mayors Yantra XNUMX, the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria and the Regional Council of the Bulgarian Red Cross. The successful partnership has proven its effectiveness in organising the initiative Summer Children's Police Academy, held annually since XNUMX with children from the XNUMX Centres for Work with Children and Youth, operating in small towns in the municipality of Veliko Tarnovo. To strengthen the development of settlements on the periphery of the municipality requires shared measures, related to the stimulation of partnerships and search for an alternative to finance projects, including for joint development of their groups. Untapped opportunities for development of these settlements can be used by: - Application of an integrated approach in the development of tourism and protection of cultural heritage; - Even distribution of tourist visits - insufficient popularity of cultural values and natural landmarks in the periphery of the municipality; - Joint initiatives for regulated protection and socialisation of cultural heritage between neighbouring settlements; - Promotion of sights of periphery villages and towns - churches and community cultural centres as part of the local and regional tourist product; - Preservation of cultural values at risk of physical destruction or loss of authenticity; - Combining different financial sources for preservation and socialisation of the cultural heritage; - Linking cultural values and historical places with modern functions and activities (socialisation). Local Community Initiatives Program, which launched in 2009 and has become one of the the most successful investment models of local communities. For the 10-year period of implementation of the program the municipality has invested in ideas of the local communities in the amount of a total of BGN 2. Small projects of local significance have been implemented, approved on a competitive basis. Among the eligible activities for financing are the reconstruction of square spaces; rehabilitation of street lanes; energy efficiency measures for municipal property; repair of children's sports grounds, etc. Eligible for funding under the program are projects that are implemented on the territory of town halls and deputy mayors, as candidates can be initiative groups, non-profit associations and community centers.

Protecting the life and health of children

One of the major and pressing problems in today's society is protecting the lives and health of children and enhancing their well-being. Veliko Turnovo Municipality is effectively working in this direction, with the opening of the first Prevention and Sports Center in the village of Balvan in 2016. Veliko Tarnovo. The center has a fully equipped gym and specialized offices for the prevention of fire and road safety and first aid in the event of accidents, disasters and accidents, as well as 4 outdoor playgrounds for road and fire safety, nature survival and applied cycling. 

The opening of the Center is a joint initiative of the Municipality of Veliko Turnovo, Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, Regional Directorate “Fire Safety and Protection of the Population”, Donation Association “St. Ivan Rilski ”, Balvan village, the Association of Mayors and Mayors of Yantra 2001, the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria and the BRC Regional Council. The successful partnership has proven effective in organizing the Summer Children Police Academy initiative, which has been held annually since 2011 with children from the 20 Child and Youth Centers operating in small towns and villages in Veliko Tarnovo Municipality.

In order to strengthen the development of the settlements on the periphery of the municipality, common measures are needed, related to the stimulation of the partnerships and search for alternatives for financing of projects, including for joint development of groups of them. The untapped opportunities for development of these settlements can be utilized through:

- Application of an integrated approach in the development of tourism and protection of cultural heritage;

- Even distribution of tourist visits - insufficient popularity of cultural values ​​and natural landmarks in the periphery of the municipality;

- Joint initiatives for regulated protection and socialization of cultural heritage between neighboring settlements;

- Inclusion of the sights of the villages and towns from the periphery - churches and community centers as part of the local and regional tourist product;

- Preservation of cultural values ​​at risk of physical destruction or loss of authenticity;

- Combining the different financial sources for preservation and socialization of the cultural heritage;

- Linking cultural values ​​and historical places with modern functions and activities (socialization).