MORE VIEWPOINTS BETTER DECISIONS Iva Taralezhkova Board Chair

MORE VIEWPOINTS, BETTER DECISIONS Iva Taralezhkova, Board Chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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