22 Bulgarian municipalities with the Label for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level

22 Bulgarian municipalities received the European Label for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level. The label is awarded by the National Platform of Partners for Good Democratic Governance at Local Level, an accredited body of the Council of Europe. The recognition honours the good practices introduced to develop and strengthen local self-government and democracy in Bulgaria.

The municipalities that received the labels are Ardino, Bansko, Berkovitsa, Valchi Dol, Gabrovo, Dimitrovgrad, Dobrich, Dolna Banya, Dospat, Kaspichan, Knezha, Kostinbrod, Levski, Lovech, Pavlikeni, Pomorie, Rakovski, Svishtov, Sarnitsa, Teteven, Troyan and Targovishte.

The certificates were awarded during the forum “Bulgarian Municipalities - Achieving the European Quality Standard for Local Governance”, organized by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

For 12 years Bulgaria has been successfully implementing the European Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at local level and is one of the leading countries in its implementation. A key instrument of the Strategy is the European Label for Local Innovation and Good Governance. EU Member States’ municipalities are assessed against uniform criteria and indicators developed by the Council of Europe. The procedure for awarding the European Label is carried out in partnership between the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.