Thirteen municipalities with a crystal award from the Council of Europe

Bulgaria is first in Europe when it comes to implementing the Strategy for innovations and good management on local level- those were the words of Minister Rosen Plevneliev at the ceremony, held at the Council of Ministers. The EU Council awarded thirteen Bulgarian municipalities with European label for innovations and good management on local level. The Minister of Regional development and Pubic works Rosen Plevneliev gave the award. Alfonso Zardi, who is the Head of the Department on local and regional democracy and good management to the Council of Europe, was also present at the ceremony.

Crystal award received the municipalities of Dimitrovgrad, Dobrich, Dolna Banya, Karlovo, Kirkovo, Kneja, Ljaskovec, Pernik, Svilengrad, Svishtov, Smoljan, Sofia and Turgovishte.

In 2010, our country became the first state to receive an official accreditation for obtaining a European label. The thirteen local authorities, who were awarded, have proved that the good management and innovations, which were in the Strategy at pawn, are part of their policy, noted the Minister. This is closely related to the Strategy for decentralization, adopted by the Government.  The award is a responsibility and great duty to the municipalities that would have to provide public services to the citizens and to improve the management in long term, added the Minister. He also specified that the label’s validity is for two years. If the municipalities do not apply for a term prolonging after the expiration, their candidature will not be approved. The award must be returned.

This, according to the Minister’s words, means that the achievement of a good management is not a single act. Minister Plevneliev emphasized that he is proud with the Ministry’s team that has been working on the Strategy for innovation and good management on local level to the Council of Europe since 2007.

Deputy Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva mentioned that thanks to the quality work of the secretariat to the Ministry of Regional development and Public works, Bulgaria is the first certified country that has received the label for innovations and good management on local level to the Council of Europe.

Today’s awards are recognition for the achievements of the municipalities for their effective management, transparency and sustainable development. Meeting such challenges was not easy but the necessity of following rules had to be accepted in order to stop following the old practices. The mentioned above is of an essential significance for the municipalities, so they can be managed in a democratic and transparent way.  He noticed that Bulgaria is the first country to adopt the Strategy and the first state to award these labels today.

The twelve principles for fruitful democratic management on local level are as follows:
1. To carry out fair elections with the public participation, honorable procedure and representativeness.
2. Approachability
3. Efficiency and Effectiveness
4. Transparency and Openness
5. Ethical behavior
6. Capacity and competence
7. Innovations and tendency to change
8. Sustainable and long term orientation
9. Stable financial management
10. Human rights, cultural diversity and social unity
11. Book-keeping