Zlatomira Stefanova took part in the discussion "Local Integrity System Index 2024"

Friday, 22 November 2024

A discussion was held in the building of the Municipality of Ruse on the topic "Local Integrity System Index 2024 – is there new energy for good governance in municipalities?". The event was organized by Transparency International Bulgaria and brought together representatives of several municipalities and non-governmental organizations.  Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova was also a guest of the event.

"The Municipality of Ruse has an ambition to be an example of transparency and efficiency. It is important for us to hear both the positive assessments and the deficits you identify. We do not take this as criticism,but as guidelines for improvement. One of the good practices that I want to emphasize is the existence of a municipal foundation, which is an example of decentralization and interaction between business and local authorities," said the Deputy Mayor.

Kremena Chobanova - project coordinator of the project, and Ilko Bozhkov - project finance manager, presented the summarized comparative preliminary results of the study of the institutions and sectors in the Local Integrity System. 

"The Association has been working for more than 26 years to strengthen anti-corruption measures and the capacity for good governance at central and local level in Bulgaria. Our goal is to support strategic and national measures by exploring capacity, role and governance – the main pillars of good governance," said Kremena Chobanova. 

She emphasized the positive practices in the Municipality of Ruse, focusing on the sustainable implementation of the standards for publicity and accountability, the management program based on basic principles and priorities, such as good communication with citizens and transparency of governance. Easy access to information through well-structured registers, including the municipal property register, good practices for engaging with civil society and involving citizens in public discussions. The administration also received a positive assessment for the successful participation in projects aimed at anti-corruption and good governance at local and national level. 

The discussion ended with a call to strengthen anti-corruption efforts and continue good practices for transparent governance.

Transparency International (TI) is a politically impartial coalition that operates through a network of over 90 offices around the world and an International Secretariat in Berlin, Germany. The organization's goal is to mobilize civil society and business structures, as well as representatives of government and academia in their attempts to reduce corruption at national, regional and international levels.

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