1. Development of the capacity of NAMRB for efficient dialogue with central authorities:
• Board members of NAMRB were trained from their Norwegian colleagues how to protect more
effectively the interests of the municipalities in front of the central government – study tour in Norway
and training with Norwegian lectures.
• Data base of legislation initiatives was developed for the period 2013 – 2016.
• The continuous efforts of NAMRB for legislative amendments and improvements related to local governance
have gathered results. During the project period our proposals covered 143 legal acts. 54 of
these proposals were adopted by the legislature.
2. Improving the institutional capacity of NAMRB’s team in providing services to its members:
• Adoption of Strategic plan of Development of NAMRB for 2014 – 2020 by the General Assembly.
• Adoption of changes in the NAMRB Statute – associated membership of municipal companies
introduced.
• Six regional coordinators of NAMRB appointed.
• Manual for newly elected mayors and councilors (mandate 2015 – 2019) published.
• Six regional trainings for over 500 mayors and councilors implemented.
• Discussion Forum held - “Investment in Bulgarian municipalities – new opportunities”.
• Reconstruction/enlargement of the NAMRB training center.
3. Better Municipal Finance Management – better Municipal Services:
• 18 municipal financial and tax experts got acquainted with the local government system in Norway,
the activities of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and the practices of
financial planning and management.
• A comparative analysis was made of the regulatory framework for municipal finance in Bulgaria and
Norway.
• Proposals for legislative amendments aimed at improving municipal finances were made.
• Training of trainers and regional trainings for good financial management with more 160 participants was
implemented.
• Internet-based platform for domestic finance, allowing comparison of data by municipalities was developed.
4. Inter-municipal Cooperation:
• 20 municipal experts got acquainted with the current legislation in Norway and the experience of Norwegian
municipalities in the development and management of inter-municipal cooperation. Comparative study
of the application areas of inter-municipal cooperation in Bulgaria and Norway was made.
• Manual for good practice in inter-municipal cooperation was developed.
• Training modules were elaborated and regional trainings for 120 representatives from municipalities were
conducted. Training topics were related to increasing the capacity of municipal officials to implement
various forms of inter-municipal cooperation to improve the quality of administrative services, the
provision of various public services and implementation of joint projects.
• Establishment of “Municipal Solidarity Fund“ in 2015 - new form of inter-municipal cooperation with 68
participating municipalities.
