Completed/terminated procedure

Under the conditions of constitutional democracy, which is, as a rule, representative democracy, citizen participation in identifying public needs and ways of meeting them is through free and democratically elected political representatives. At the same time, as a manifestation of one of the founding principles of the rule of law (proclaimed in Article 1, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria), people (the people) as prime sources of state power should have guaranteed opportunities for direct participation in government; to directly determine the political decisions that are essential for the development of the state and society. This principle requires citizens to have the opportunity to participate in the work of state bodies and institutions and to influence decision-making, the elaboration and implementation of policies, strategic documents, laws and other normative acts in order to achieve maximum consistency and consensus between them and the state on different topics on the public agenda. This is defined as civic participation in decision-making processes.

Citizen participation in decision-making processes allows periodic civil monitoring of government actions, decisions and policies; creates the opportunity for citizens to realize themselves. Thus, the position of society can be a kind of corrective of political priorities and objectives and be a tool for public control over state policy. The benefits of civic participation that should be perceived as fundamental for the management in Bulgaria are:

 the legitimacy of the reasons for taking a decision;

 credibility of needs and needs that are accounted for and prioritized by political elected;

 Sustainability of long-term solutions and policies to meet identified needs and achieve lasting results.

Civil participation is an integral part of defining priorities for the development of the country in different social spheres, decision-making and policy-making aimed at meeting important public needs as well as the good functioning of the state administration. Civil participation is central to the application of the principles of transparency, openness and efficiency of government.

In pursuance of Specific Objective 3 "Enhancing civic participation in the process of policy formulation and control" of Priority Axis 2 "Efficient and Professional Management in Partnership with Civil Society and Business" of the OPD, the three objectives of the procedure are defined follows:

1. Partnership management with citizens and businesses;

2. Open and responsible management;

3. Making recommendations to improve service delivery processes, better regulatory environment, fighting corruption, preventing conflict of interest and abuse of office, observance of ethical standards by civil servants.

The support provided under this procedure is expected to:

 Improving the interaction between the administration and the citizens and the business;

 Increase the activity of NGOs and EPAs in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies and legislation, including by making recommendations for improving service processes, better regulatory environment, fighting corruption, preventing conflict of interest and misuse of official status, observance of ethical norms by civil servants;

 improving the socio-economic environment as a result of more open and responsible governance.