Project summary
The key problem that this project identifies is the lack of a community of professional political and civic leaders in Bulgaria, who understand and can fully implement the core principles of good governance, such as the rule of law, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. Tied to this is a second problem, namely, the inability of political leaders to engage citizen participation in public decision-making, for the consolidation of a strong civil society, well-integrated into the European community to which Bulgaria now belongs.
This project directly addresses these issues and proposes the development of an advanced training program to enhance the participants’ skills in participatory democracy and governance. The program brings together representatives of political parties, government, and civil society to work in a multi-partisan learning environment. The proposed program will further the knowledge and capacity of politicians and civic leaders in areas such as public policy development, political communication, conflict resolution, integration of underrepresented communities in the political process, EU law and institutions.
With the expert assistance of the Dutch partners, joint public policy initiatives will be implemented, with the involvement of a local municipality and program participants.
Project goals
The project’s overall objective is to support the establishment of new governance culture and the development of a responsible and ethical leadership among young political and civic leaders, capable to manage the process of democratic transformations in the country based on the principles of the rule of law, accountability, legitimacy, open dialogue and transparency.
• Development of advanced political and civic leadership training program
• Long-term institutional and financial sustainability of BSoP
Project activities
• Conducting a national leadership training program
• Developing new course modules & course materials
• Developing and implementing a training-of-trainers program
• Publication of training manuals
• Developing a long-term sustainability plan
Project partners
The partner institution of BSoP for the project is the Instituut voor Publiek en Politiek (IPP), the Dutch Centre for Political Participation.
IPP is an organisation with no party affiliation whose aim is to promote political and social participation, and to combat inequalities between sections of the population in their real opportunities to exert political influence. It is commissioned by government agencies and non-governmental organisations to carry out activities designed to directly involve citizens and their organisations in policy-making, including schemes supporting the democratisation process at home and abroad, in particular in EU-accession countries and the neighbouring countries involved in the Wider Europe programme.
Project funding
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Matra Projects Program
Project status
In progress
Project results
1. Network of trained political and civic leaders
2. New curricula and course manuals
3. Pool of trained trainers
4. Strengthened institutional capacity of BSoP
Project participants
Bulgarian School of Politics,
Alumni Association of the Bulgarian School of Politics
New Bulgarian University
Council of Europe
Contact person
Snezhina Gabova
sgabova@sp-bg.org
www.schoolofpolitics.org
