Foundation

The Association for Development of Mountain Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria was established in the middle of 2006 by an initiative group consisting of local government representatives, business sector and other persons aiming to contribute to the solving of problems concerning heavier climate, economic and social conditions that the mountain municipalities have to develop in. In 2008 the Association established a Center for Sustainable Development of Mountain Municipalities to provide various services - training, financial and staff management, consultancy in project cycle management and strategic development to enhance the capacity of Bulgarian local self-government.

Vision/Mission

The mission of the Association for development of Mountain Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria is to contribute to the achievement of a profound structural change that should bring to bridging the gap between the socio - economic development of mountain areas and this of the rest of Bulgarian municipalities, thus providing conditions and participants in the process of sustainable development.

Objectives

Main objective of the Association for development of Mountain Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria is to achieve a change that should bring to bridging the gap between the economic development of mountain areas and this of the rest of Bulgarian municipalities. The main focuses of the Association’s work are as follows:

• - Forming a National policy targeted to development of mountain areas, incl. adoption of a special Mountain Areas Act;
• - Raising the administrative capacity and support to the mountain municipalities in project preparation and absorption of EU Structural funds;
• - Providing of actual information concerning best European and world practices in the field of sustainable development and innovative approaches in local self-government;
• - Cooperation with the European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountainous Areas and other similar organizations in Bulgaria and abroad;
• - Development of an active cross-border cooperation with similar organizations on the Balkan Region;
• - Creation of an entire programme for implementation of above mentioned objectives relevant to the European integration and current globalization processes.

Main Activities (200 words limit)

According to the statutes of the ADMMRB, to achieve its objectives, the Association shall carry out the following activities:

- supporting the sustainable development of the mountain municipalities and regions;

- preservation of the cultural and historical heritage, the natural resources and the natural heritage through developing good quality and sustainable tourism.

- preventive restriction of the consequences from natural disasters;

- helping and financing the learning and educational, youth, consulting, publishing and advertising activities;

- holding of and participating in national and international thematic fora and programmes;

- making the activities of the Association popular in Bulgaria and abroad.

The Association initiated its activity with intensive seeking and establishing of contacts and cooperation with international partners. As a result, ADMMRB has been already enrolled a member of the European Association of Elected Representatives of Local Authorities from Mountain Areas (AEM), which is undoubtedly a success for the cause of the sustainable development of mountain municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. This membership is providing the Association and its members with the opportunity to benefit from the experience of its European colleagues and their good practices.

ADMMRB is developing a number of projects for providing training and consultancy services to mountain municipalities.

Projects Materialised

• - The Association has supported the idea of elaboration of a Green Book with the leading role of the European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountainous Areas /AEM/. The idea was accepted and the Association has declared the need and importance of this document as well as its assistance during the process of preparation of the Book.
• - The Association organized Second Balkan Practical Conference - “Natural potential, sustainable development of Bulgarian mountain municipalities and their future in united Europe”. The Conference resulted in dissemination of a declaration clearly stating that the “Mountain Green Book” should become strategic document for development and cohesion of European policies for mountain regions”.
• - The Association partnered the implementation of a European project under the e-TEN programme in cooperation with representative organizations from France, Italy, and Spain. Тhe project provided unique opportunity for Bulgarian mountain municipalities to join the powerful European network for e-tourist marketing EU Latitude.
• - The Association also participated and took active role in another EU project - the BOIRA project with leading applicant LIEDRA - Aragonese Association of Local Authorities. The representatives took part in the Second Assembly of LIEDRA Network, as well as in the Conference “Increasing the opportunities for women in politics and in the labour market”, at the European Parliament in Brussels, November 2007.
• - In April 2008 the Association participated in a study visit in Baden - Wurtenberg, Germany for a delegation of Bulgarian mayors of mountain municipalities to gain a field experience of good practices in various aspects of sustainable regional development.
• - In May 2008 the Association organized a seminar on topic “Water is Life - good water management practices in Baden-Wurtenberg” together with the German company Fritz Plannung Ltd.
• - The Association cooperated in the German-Bulgarian forum “Protection of the environment - challenges for municipality”, held in October 2008 in Bonn, Germany. It was organized by Bonn Municipality and Anderland. The purpose of the forum was to present the best municipal practices of Bonn in the area of the energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, processing of waste products and purification of waste waters. The forum was part of the program of the Association for improvement of the capacity and competitiveness of mountain municipalities.
• In February 2009 the Association cooperated with the Craftsmanship Chamber - Koblenz, Germany in the organization of the workshop “Renewable energy resources and energy efficiency in South Eastern Europe”, held in Hissar, Bulgaria.

Contact Information

Address

Bulgaria

1404 Sofia

23 Tvardishki prohod Str., floor 3, office 10-11

Telephone/Fax No.

+359 2 818 5889

Fax. +359 2 818 5859

E-mail:bulmonte@mail.bg

Website: www.bulmonte.org