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In 1996 a new Referendum Act was enacted, being in compliance
with the principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria.However
there was a high level of public ignorance about the possibilities for
civic action as provided by the Referendum Act. The goal of the Democracy
Network assisted project of the AYL was by delivering seminars and public
discussions on the Referendum Act and gathering public recommendations
for amendments of the legislation to involove citizens in five municipalities
in public policy development. A well-prepared media campaign was held before
the seminars and discussions in the five municipalities - Lovech, Pleven,
Gorna Oriahovitza, Liaskovetz and Mezdra. During the seminars lectures
on the possibilities of the new law were presented. Additionally, expert
consultations and open public lectures acquainted the citizens and NGO
representatives with the forms, conditions and procedures for direct partcipation
of the population in solving local problems, pursuant the Referendum Act.
Special NGO-based initiative groups for holding subscriptions and initiating
local referendums or general assembly of the population, and conducting
campaigns for attracting broader support were formed. Multiple proposals
for amendments of the current legislation were gathered and reported back.
In the extension period an overall advocacy campaign on changing the Referendum
Act was implemented. The campaign included a three day seminar (in Arbanasy),
radio shows "Citizens and local self-governance", meetings with mayors
and municipal councillors, round tables with experts on "Direct public
participation in policy making", national conference "How NGOs may influence
the legislative policies?". The campaign also included writing letters
to NGOs, MPs, media coverage etc.
The project resulted in increasing the legal awareness of the
citizens in the project areas. The series of seminars and public discussions
also led to greater public participation. Good media coverage, good relations
with local authorities, high attendance, and lively discussions were the
common characteristics of the project activities. Very broad and active
support for the changes was accumulated. The AYL through the impact and
suggestion of t local administration and public in the municipalities of
Lovech, Pleven, Gorna Oriahovitza, Liaskovetz and Mezdra, drafted proposals
for amendment of the Referendum Act, which were presented to the legislative
body.
As a partner of the implementing agency "Women with Future" Association,
a team of AYL's experts worked out a special report "Legal Guarantees for
women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual harrasment at work".
AYL provided also consultants for a special cabinet for helping such victims
and partcipated in a media campaign on this issue.
