Monday, 05 June, 2023

The 10 concepts for local economic development have been selected, which will receive funding for implementation under the GALOP project


On 30.10.2020 October 41 the evaluation of the concepts for local economic development presented was completed. Based on these concepts the municipalities will benefit under No. BGLD-1.002-0001 “Growth through activation of the local potential - GALOP”, implemented by the National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB). The 2014 finalists were selected by the Interdepartmental Commission, which included experts from the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, the Programme Operator of” Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups” Programme under the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism – 2021 – 10, and the National Coordination Unit with the Council of Ministers, in addition to the Association representatives. They will have the opportunity to receive financial support for the implementation of their concepts of local economic development. The project, which the NAMRB is working on together with the Norwegian Association of Local Authorities, aims to draw the attention of municipalities to a realistic assessment of local conditions and help achieve their potential for socio-economic development. The opportunities provided by the project provoked a great interest during the competition, and the presented concepts demonstrated the in-depth approach of the municipalities to the specific problems of the local community and the ability to look for various opportunities to overcome them. The NAMRB takes the opportunity to thank all the candidates for the activity and quality of the developed concepts! All submitted concepts were examined in detail and evaluated according to complex criteria, which included both the scope of the proposed ideas and their contribution to overcoming the socio-economic problems of the region, employment opportunities and prospects for sustainable results. The following concepts were admitted for the next stage of the project “Growth through activating local potential – GALOP”:

Municipality Emphasis on the presented concept
Brezovo Integrated investments in production, processing, marketing and technical support of local agricultural products, incl. organic and eco-products. The closed cycle will be carried out jointly by local authorities, farmers, processing business and scientific units in the field.
Belitsa Establishment of an enterprise for handicrafts and souvenirs, small tourist accompanying infrastructure and others related to the local economy (tourism, logging, agriculture and weaving). It will be carried out jointly by the local authorities, the cultural institutions, the management of the Rila Nature Park, the local business in the field of tourism and wood processing.
Elena Encouraging the production of specific products from the local animal husbandry, combined with the promotion and diversification of the accompanying services in the field of tourism and cultural development. Integrated actions of municipalities, vocational schools, cultural institutions and farmers' associations are envisaged.
Ivanovo Development of a specific local product through investments, production and processing base, as well as conducting an aggressive marketing campaign, incl. and trademark registration. Intensive cooperation is planned between the municipality, the unions of producers, processors and traders.
Momchilgrad Creating your own tourist product based on the unique local landmarks, incl. of national and global importance. This will be accompanied by the promotion of local breeders and linking production with tourist consumption. The municipality, guest houses, livestock breeders and Momchilgrad-Krumovgrad LAG will work together
Bansko Building a year-round destination through integrated investments in cultural-festival and sports-rehabilitation tourism. It is planned to establish a Museum of the Mountain and a workshop for local crafts, as well as to build a municipal sports and rehabilitation center. Partners will be the municipality, local museums, community centers and cultural institutions, and sports clubs.
Lyaskovetz Activation of the local potential through interactive investments in the unique museums of viticulture and expatriate gardening. Construction of tasting halls and workshops, establishment of a tourist center to the local pilgrimage sites, creation of local tourist packages and a brand. The partnership is between the municipality, the Lyaskovets-Strazhitsa LAG, the cultural institutions, the owners of the museum expositions and the hoteliers.
Levski Achieving economic growth through investments in industrial production in the existing area, intensification of agricultural production, processing and trade, diversification of local tourism product in areas of the NATURA 2000 network. Partners will be local government, producers, business and LAGs.
Valchi dol Diversification and expansion of the tourist product in the municipality by building a number of sites for sports, recreation and tourism, building a center for hippotherapy and training of children with special educational needs. Partners include the municipality, a hunting and fishing company, social NGOs and business.
Dimitrovgrad Development of balneology and rehabilitation, and in addition to sports, recreation and cultural tourism in the town of Merichleri ​​by utilizing the mineral water deposits and supporting local craft traditions, incl. by building a municipal complex and accompanying events in the field of culture, local production of agricultural and handicraft products. Partners are local government, producers and cultural institutions.