First Stage of "Laboratory Chitalishte" had Completed

Monday, 02 October 2017

The campaign "Laboratory Chitalishte" launched in June 2017 with the partner municipalities in the project "Active Communities: Building Capacity for Change" came to an end in late September with the last meeting in Vidin.

Within the campaign 16 Chitalishta from 15 municipalities in Bulgaria shared their experience with 200 Chitalishte colleagues, 21 representatives of municipal administration, 32 mayors and mayoralty leaders. Thus, the total number of participants in the meetings reached 300.

In the feedback, the participants noted as most valuable the sharing of experience by their peers as they "speak the same language", face similar challenges, aim to achieve change and development in their settlements in a broad partnership with municipalities, business and mostly with the active participation and contribution of the people.

Also, high rated was the fact that specific issues were mentioned, difficulties, problems, risks related with the work, as well as their solutions and how the responsibility was shared. Among the shared practices were the numerous festivals for traditional culture and culinary, campaigns for biodiversity protection, the strengthening of the relation between the city and the villages, various innovative approaches for development of the local tourism and livelihood. The presentations focus was on the initiatives sustainability and their upgrade through the years, the efficiency of the participation methods of locals in many stages and activities, the ability to mobilize volunteers, partners and local resources for support of their initiatives. The diversity of presented practices directed the Chitalishte representatives and mayors' thoughts to possible activities benefiting local communities with their active involvement.

Thus, the goal of "Laboratory Chitalishte" was achieved - to activate the local people through exchange and prepare them for the sessions of the funds for support of local initiatives that are to be announced.

The campaign was carried out in the municipalities Harmanli; Smolyan; Montana, Stambolyiski (incl. Peshtera); Ivailovgrad; Dryanovo, Karlovo, Kustedil, Lyaskovets, Svilengrad and Vidin.

In 2018, the second stage of Panorama "Empower the Change" will be held where in addition to the good Chitalishte practices, the experience and operation of the Funds for support of local initiatives established within the project will be shared. If your Chitalishte would like to host such a meeting, please contact Platform AGORA at office@agora-bg.org

The support for Platform AGORA is provided by the America for Bulgaria Foundation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are solely those of Platform AGORA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the America for Bulgaria Foundation or its affiliates.