Topical Information

The work on the second day of the Final Conference for Municipal Mandate 2019 – 2023 began with a discussion on the topic "The future is municipal". The focus of the talks is the country's long-term horizon and the key strategic goals of local authorities. Leading are the Mayor of Burgas and member of the Board of NAMRB Dimitar Nikolov and Yana Docheva, Head of the NAMRB International Department.

"The meaning of local government is not only to be close to the people, but to make sure that citizens want to stay and live in them. Municipalities do not exist in isolation we must get used to partnership we must seek common ground between the regions and the consent of local communities and business, "said the mayor of Burgas, opening the second day of the conference

The mayor outlined several main topics and priorities for the municipalities in the next term. People and their problems should be at the heart of European and national policies. For this purpose, we need cohesion, but not as a financial resource, but as a value that will be at the heart of all political decisions, he said.

The fundamental transformations that are put on the agenda require a systemic approach and sustainable local authorities capable of finding quick and adequate solutions to the main challenges. An integrated territorial approach is needed to achieve the ambitious objectives.

Speakers are Tanya Hristova – Mayor of Gabrovo, Pavel Gudzherov – Mayor of Rakovski, Hasan Azis – Mayor of Kardzhali.

The work of the forum involves two guests from municipalities from neighboring countries. The mayor of the Greek city of Kozani Lazaros Malutas, talks about turning the city into an innovative and sustainable hub. Hairy Baraclı, Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities in Turkey, presents the experience of dealing with the devastating earthquake in the country and the lessons learned from the disaster.

Also, the official guest of the forum was the Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov. The conversation with him was about the partnership of the state and local authorities in the process of building a greener, more sustainable and fairer future.