Study visit of experts from Troyan municipality in the Elvangen municipality, Germany to test the instructions and learning practical skills for management of municipal buildings in the project "Efficiency and quality of good governance" of the Operational Programme "Administrative Capacity" OPAC
/Implementation of Activity 6/

Study tour is organized for 6 participants, 5 representatives from Troyan municipality, members of the working group, and a translator. It is takes 7 days, including travel days.
During their stay in Germany all participants will have possibility to test different instructions and monitoring system in a real working environment. By "job in shadow" Bulgarian experts will have opportunity to learn practical approaches and skills, allocation of responsibilities, the use of modern information tools, the application of the system of evaluation and monitoring in the host organization. After the study visit participants will prepare a summary report, a report on how we apply what we saw and what they learned in their practical work.
Partner organization, Elvangen municipality, will provide relevant experts and opportunities to Bulgarian experts to "work" together with their colleagues and to observe the sequence of the work process and coordination between departments and units, as well as work monitoring of performance.
The object of the study visit is first to test the applicability of the developed instructions and monitoring system in real conditions. On the other hand Bulgarian experts get acquainted with the modus of work, the difficulties and problems that their colleagues have overcome, with the best practices contained in the instructions. "Learning by doing" is the most effective system of acquiring practical skills. In the real working environment Bulgarian and German experts will implement the instructions set out in the methods and approaches, action and instruments. They will have possibility to test together the basic functions of the developed tools and to identify steps to correct or supplement main instructions and protocols.
Common work and exchange of good practices is an important step on of a project results implementation.
This working visit helps both administrations to improve their administrative capacity and to meet the specific tasks and objectives of a procedure for joint initiatives and creating usefully cooperation between partners.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

A DELEGATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF TROYAN, BULGARIA IS VISITING MUNICIPAL COMPANIES

The exchange of experience and best practices is implemented with the financial support of EU. Ellwangen and Troyan Municipalities are participating at a partner project "Good Governance – Right and Responsibility".

A group of 11 experts and 3 counselors from the Municipality of Troyan are guests in our town until Thursday. They should become familiar with the management of municipal companies and municipal property.

Gerhard Koeninger

Ellwangen: "The exchange of experience with Troyan went through different stages", said the Mayor Carl Hilzenbek to the municipal officials and the Bulgarian guests at the city hall on Wednesday. Mr. Bernd Beckler – Head of "Education and Social Work" Department, had visited Troyan in December with a group from Ellwangen. Now the Bulgarians are here and it's planned that in April a group of experts from Ellwangen Municipality will visit Bulgaria. Afterwards (in May), the Bulgarian delegation will come to Ellwangen again.
"The experts from the Municipality of Troyan should become familiar with our governance system and make their own conclusions in this regard", said the Mayor. This exchange has 100% EU funding. "Politics are made in Brussels, but here is where they are implemented so the EU can operate."
From Sunday to today the Bulgarian group visited the wave pool, the saunas, the water power plant and the energy company. They had the opportunity to see the Shoenal treatment plant with solar drying and block heating plant as well as the fire station. The delegation also aimed to become familiar with convert lands, the industrial area, Pfalhaim village and the home for the elderly and people with disabilities in Roetlenmuele.
The municipal construction company and the City's subsidiary company were exhaustively presented. A few workshops on "Management of municipal property" and "Planning and implementation of construction plans" (for instance the whole process of reconstruction of the marketplace) introduced the guests to the working process.
The deputy Mayor of Troyan emphasized on the importance of the exchange for the Bulgarian municipality. She explained the choice of Ellwangen as a partner with the vast German experience in management and the great credibility of the town. She also expressed her firm belief that the the project will have very positive effect.
The project manager from the external consultancy Vladislav Georgiev said that the Bulgarian management of public utilities could be improved especially in regard to structure of municipal companies and management of municipal property. He is convinced that the German delegation will be welcomed in Troyan in April with the same great hospitality the Bulgarian group has received in Ellwangen.
The Bulgarians flew to Munich and then traveled to Ellwangen by bus. The guests were accommodated in Hotel "Linde" and Hotel "Germany".

At the picture: A part of the Bulgarian delegation is listening to Mr. Wili Gresser talking about the Spa complex in the town.

An excerpt from "Shwebishe Post" Newspaper
Thursday, 14 March 2013

TIME: MARCH 10-14, 2013

The working visit was organized within 5 days (travel days included) for 16 (15) participants: 15 (14) experts from economic and financial departments and from the Municipal Council and one translator. An information seminar "Good Governance – Right and Responsibility" took place during the visit as a sub-activity 1. A one-day training for 36 participant was held for introduction to the principles of good governance, their value and the specific effects from their implementation. Documents and initiatives in the field of good governance, as well as good practices of the Ellwangen Municipal Administration were presented to the participants. Bulgarian experts were acquainted with the implementation of the principles of good governance into practice. Through direct contact with their colleagues the Bulgarian experts became familiar with working methods, documents, procedures and tools required for the implementation of the principles in the daily work of different departments. A site visit helped them exploring successful solutions and methods to manage objects and increase efficiency. The partner supported the participation of local experts at the seminar and provided conditions for visiting and learning about the work of various offices and departments, for meetings and discussions.

11.03.2013 г. Practice: Visiting municipal properties and studying about their management from the directors of the objects.

• Spa Complex – information from Mr. Gresser (social functions); annual visits – 140 000 – 150 000 persons per year; planned investments (credit provided): 5 000 000 Euro in new attractions; annual losses: 1 300 000 Euro; the losses are covered by the other profitable municipal companies, united in a holding group; the differences are covered by the Municipality.
  
  
  

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• Wastewater treatment plant – mechanical and biological treatment; up to 98% purity; solar drying of wastes and biogas production; fully automated; 5 employees
  
  
  

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• Water power plant – built from a natural 2 meter high waterfall
  
  
  

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• Fire department – built on a volunteer basis; the building and the equipment are supported by the Municipality; the volunteers receive a compensation - 10 Euro per hour, in cases of fire or civil protection; an opportunity for small additional incomes (should be discussed in Troyan Municipality).
  
  
  

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• Industrial area and area for housing needs – the role of the Municipality is to create new opportunities for investors and for people willing to build new houses by improving the infrastructure, creating new working places and generating profit.

12.03.2013 г. - Ellwangen Municipulity - Visiting municipal properties and studying about their management from the directors of the objects.

• MSW Plant Ltd. – provides working places (including part-time jobs), performs services for the entire population, maintains municipal buildings, land, roads, parks and gardens, monitors forest fund.
  
  
  

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• Electricity, water, heat, two gas stations, ltd’s – stable shareholding of the Municipality; initiatives for modern development of the company (for instance wind generators and other opportunities for producing electricity with citizen shareholders).
• Working visit at a private home for elderly and disabled people – 145 employees; a regulated system of financing the stay – health insurances; pensions; social and private funds; donations

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A meeting at the city hall with Karl Hilzenbek and associates.

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Browsing the archive, where documents are stored since 17th century.

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Visit to Pfalhaym – a small town, created around 1210; population of about 1850;

Wolfgang Zegler – Mayor; quota for municipal councilors (according to village population); no officials in populated areas; public services are provided by officials from Ellwangen Municipality, who are working three times a week for four hours at the city hall.

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Organized under the project "Good Governance – Right and Responsibility" at the Conference Hall in Ellwangen Municipality.

For Ellwangen Municipality:

Mr. Bash, Mr. Gresser, Mr. Nagl, Mr. Beckler, Mr. Trolman; meeting with media.

Presentation of the project.
Presentation of Troyan Municipality.
Presentation of Ellwangen Municipality.

Structure of Ellwangen Municipality

• Country: Germany, State: Baden-Württemberg;
• Administrative region: Stuttgart;
• District: Ostalbkreis.

• Mayor;
• Municipal Council (36 municipal councilors and the mayor): 3 Committees (14 members each)
  - a management committee;
  - a committee, responsible for construction, environment and transport;
  - a committee, responsible for culture, tourism, sport, social activities;
• Departments – Human Resources Management; Organizational Department; Culture, Tourism;
• Urban Design and Planning Department; Department of Public Policy; Municipal Companies

Specifying content and objectives of the seminar.

Analysis and comparison.

Identification of the main topics of the seminar.

Discussions on various practical issues.

Municipal property management.

Planning and implementation of projects.

Comparisons between the practices in Troyan Municipality and in Ellwangen Municipality.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Effective use of municipal assets.
2. In-depth analysis of: problems (demographic collapse; social; economic); activities to be funded; expected results.
3. Practical approach to solving all issues – with profit and in favor of the population.

The working visit met the main objective of the activity - to enhance knowledge and skills of Bulgarian experts through direct observation and exchange of experience. The purpose - a joint training on the principles of good governance in its complexity, which on one hand will increase their qualifications, and the other will motivate them to share experiences and work in coordination, was fulfilled through the information seminar. It contributed to a coherent and comprehensive introduction to the principles in all departments of the administration. The seminar fully corresponds with the main objective of this procedure and the specific objectives of the project, as it increases knowledge of experts to the principles of good governance. During the visit, participants were acquainted with the functioning of principles into practice; they had the opportunity to be convinced of the importance and benefits of implementing a comprehensive monitoring and control performance and to exchange views and experiences in solving specific issues in the management of municipal property. As this activity increases the capacity of experts through contacts and share experiences and creates conditions for long-lasting future cooperation, as well as for exchange and joint creation of innovative solutions, it largely leads to the implementation of all specific project objectives.
The working visit resulted in achievement of expected results: increased capacity of the administration; conducted training; a report, which includes innovative practices; shared experience; long-lasting contacts established with experts from Ellwangen Municipality; created preconditions for cooperation in specific management problems.

The working visit is being implemented under Activity 3 of the project and is organized within 5 days (travel days included) for 16 participants: 15 experts from economic and financial departments and from the Municipal Council and one translator. During the visit as a sub-activity 1 an information seminar "Good Governance – Right and Responsibility" is being organized. A one-day training for 36 participant is planed for introduction to the principles of good governance, their value and the specific effects from their implementation. Documents and initiatives in the field of good governance, as well as good practices of other European administrations will be presented to the participants. Bulgarian experts will be acquainted with working methods, documents, procedures and tools required for the implementation of the principles in the daily work of different departments. A site visit will make them familiar with successful solutions and methods to manage objects and increase efficiency. The partner will support the participation of local experts at the seminar and will provide conditions for visiting and learning about the work of various offices and departments, for meetings and discussions. After the visit a representative of the group will prepare a summary report on what they have seen and learned and what innovative solutions they have identified.

The purpose of the activity is to enhance knowledge and skills of Bulgarian experts through direct observation and exchange of experience, which corresponds with the main objective and the focus of the procedure. The information seminar aims a joint training on the principles of good governance in its complexity, which on one hand will increase their qualifications, and the other will motivate them to share experiences and work in coordination. As a result it will contribute to a coherent and comprehensive introduction to the principles in all departments of the administration. The seminar fully corresponds with the main objective of this procedure and the specific objectives of the project, as it increases knowledge of experts to the principles of good governance. During the visit, participants will be acquainted with the functioning of principles into practice; will have the opportunity to be convinced of the importance and benefits of implementing a comprehensive monitoring and control performance and will exchange views and experiences in solving specific issues in the management of municipal property. As this activity increases the capacity of experts through contacts and share experiences and creates conditions for long-lasting future cooperation, as well as for exchange and joint creation of innovative solutions, it largely leads to the implementation of all specific project objectives.

The expected results of the visit are: increased capacity of the administration; conducted training; a report, which includes innovative practices; shared experience; long-lasting contacts established with experts from Ellwangen Municipality; created preconditions for cooperation in specific management problems.

Project Manager: Eng. Tatyana Markovska

"The project is implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme "Administrative Capacity"2007-2013, financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund"

Moderator of the meeting: Mr.Vladislav Georgiev, manager of Parime Consulting Ltd
Participants:

1. Project team;
2. City council members;
3. Experts form Municipality of Troyan. They are taking part in study travel to Ellwangen municipality, Germany.

In total 26 (twenty six) participant attended this work shop.

Mr.Vladislav Georgiev, manager of Parime Consulting Ltd open discussion about principles of good governance in the management of municipality property. First he explained the main subject and goals of study visit. Then he mentioned that during realisation of Activity 2, "Study and evaluation applying of good governance and effective budget spending in both administrations (Troyan municipality and Ellwangen municipality)" the main goals are initiation of large discussion and to get different opinions and ideas how to increase efficiency of budget spending and governance of municipality property.

Work shop modules:

1. Presentation "Twelve principles of Good Governance" and completing of questionnaire.

Tsvetelina Neshkova presented Twelve Principles of Good Governance, adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 26 March 2008. It had previously been endorsed by the European ministers responsible for local and regional government on the occasion of the 15th session of their conference, at Valencia (Spain), on 15-16 October 2007.
Assessment of knowledge, understanding and application of principles of good governance was tested among all participants by questionnaires. This study will reveal a real situation and challenges in municipality Troyan.

2. Discussions focused on governance of municipality property on local level.

The participants discussed following topics:

• Public –private partnership;
• Municipal companies and organistions;
• Public register of municipal property;
• Farmlands municipal property
• Tools that use municipal authorities to control municipal companies;
• The process of decision making and active participation of mayoral councils;
• Using of different communication channels to inform citizens about selling and lending of municipal properties;

All participants were very active and shared different opinions and suggestions. The interesting and useful discussion that was held, confirm again the importance of them for good governance. This meeting encouraged the dialogue between experts from municipality administration and all citizens and shows the significance of them for good governance.

The study of the application of principles of good governance in the work of the Troyan municipality will be made on the basis of:

• Documents;
• Interviews in depth;
• Questionnaires.

The conclusions made form paper work and documents will be combined with conclusions made from study of participant's opinion and discussions.

The same study procedure will be follow in the partner municipality.

Project manager: ing. Tatiana Markovska

"The project is implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme "Administrative Capacity"2007-2013, financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund"

Project "Efficiency and Quality for Good Governance"

Project partners – Troyan Municipality, Bulgaria andEllwangen Municipality, Germany

The Press Conference took place in Troyan at December 12, 2012.

The event was attended by about 50 people. Among the guests were representatives of project teams form Bulgarian and German side, Municipal administration Troyan, the Troyan City Council, business, NGOs, civil society and media. Mrs. Donka Mihaylova - Mayor of Troyan Municipality, held an open speech.

Mr. Vladislav Georgiev, Manager of Prime Consulting Ltd, had a short presentation about “Good governance”. Then the Project Manager - Mrs. Tatyana Markovska, presented the main objectives, project activities and expected results from project implementation. The Conference continued with presentation of Mr. Bernd Beckler - Project Coordinator on the German side, who discussed some best practices from the experience of Ellwangen Municipality, Germany.

Project "Efficiency and Quality for Good Governance" has been developed by experts from TroyanMunicipality and the partner organization – EllwangenMunicipality, in 2011. It was approved and funded by OPAC (Operational Programme "Administrative Capacity" 2007-2013). The Project has budget of 313 138 leva and has to be completed in 14 months.

The Conference ended with a discussion in which experts, participating in the Project, have succeeded in answering all the questions from the attendees. After the conference all guests were invited to "a cup of coffee". It was an excellent opportunity to meet experts and to initiate new collaborations and information exchange at a professional level.

"The project is implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme "Administrative Capacity"2007-2013, financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund"