CITIZENS AS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF AIR QUALITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR HEATING AND COMBATING OF ENERGY POVERTY IN VIDIN MUNICIPALITY, Acronym: VIDIN E-ACTIV

The project aims to involve citizens, businesses and their organizations in the stages of municipal policy development (described in Objectives section) and implementation concerning financial, health and social aspects of the present and future development of Vidin Municipality. The implementation of legislation shows need for more effective stakeholders involvement in the process of amending, improving and implementing policies as they are directly impacted by policy measures, but their participation is not in place. Interested parties can generate successful, innovative business ideas and community projects, work in partnership with local government and organizations to achieve them. Some citizen associations have extensive in-depth expertise on important issues at local level and have capacity to attract funding needed by municipal authorities for environmental and energy analyzes, feasibility studies, information campaigns, etc. Stakeholders can give feedback on applicability of the measures set out in the municipal programs and action plans by applying the bottom-up approach. This will improve the economic effect of implementation of the measures set out in the plans and programmes, and will create bridges and partnerships with companies providing green services and generating green energy. Public-civil interaction for policy formulation and implementation will go through 3 main processes: information, consultation, active participation. The project foresees development of: -mechanism for citizens’ participation; specific tools to facilitate the process of acquiring information, discussing and formulating proposals -specific measures to be taken together from administration and citizens, as to improve the socio-economic environment -model for integrated municipal policies in the field of Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, RES, Waste Management, as to facilitate citizen participation in developing, adopting and monitoring of the policy documents - trainings

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