The Center for Sharing and Supporting Working Citizens’ Initiatives and Practices hosted the first working meeting of civic activists and representatives of civic organizations in Varna. The meeting was held at 14 Sava Radulov Str. in the form of a breakfast and discussion about increasing civic activity in Varna. The Chairman of the Public Environmental Center for Sustainable Development (PECSD) Ilian Iliev introduced the aims and activities of the project “Improving public awareness of the role of civic organizations for the community”. The Center for Sharing and Supporting Working Citizens’ Initiatives and Practices will be recognized as a place for creating and defending public campaigns and causes for the next 33 months. Here civic activists will receive advice from legal practitioners regarding the implementation of their initiative. They will be able to count on their promotion on media channels and social networks.
The debate revolved around the topic “Civic Organizations or Public Causes?” – which focus should be on attracting citizens. According to Nora Stefanova, a human resources specialist, people are increasingly inclined to follow a specific cause, but refuse to show affiliation with a particular organization. Ivaylo Ivanov, of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, believes that the lack of new additions to the civil society organizations is reducing their capacity.
One of the first civic campaigns implemented at the Center for Sharing and Supporting Working Citizens’ Initiatives and Practices will be to reduce the use of disposable plastic packaging in schools. Two donation campaigns will be implemented – on Earth Day (22 April) and International Black Sea Day (31 October). The most successful civic activities will be presented to Varna public during the annual Forum Conference on Democracy, which will be held on February 29, 2020 in Varna.
Translator: Valentina Vagge
