Methodology – Period 2015-2017 | Local integrity system

Municipal Council

Capacity

Independence of the Municipal Council

Indicators	Period	Source
The work of the Municipal Council is based on its own program with clear strategic priorities, which also includes the fight against corruption
The public image of the Municipal Council is good and its decisions are not a result of opaque lobbying

Role

Oversight over the Local Executive

Indicators	Period	Source
Municipal councilors' input in discussions of the annual budget of the municipality
Efficiency in the execution of the Municipal council's control competencies
Effective use of the questions procedure by municipal councelors

Representation

Indicators	Period	Source
Organization of periodic meetings of municipal councilors (or their party groups) for citizens of their electoral district
Established mechanism for active involvement of citizens and their organizations in the formulation of policies of local importance
The Municipal Council takes into account the recommendations of the local ombudsman
Established mechanism for transparent involvement of the local businesses in formulation of specific proposals and policies for local development

Governance

Transparency in the Activities of the Municipal Council

Indicators	Period	Source
Transparency in the activities of the municipal councilors
Transparency of the standing committees' work
Transparency of the political groups
Transparency of the Municipal council's work

Accountability in the Activities of the Municipal Council

Indicators	Period	Source
Accountability of Municipal council members/municipal councilors
Accountability of Municipal council's standing committees
Accountability of the Municipal council as self-governance authority at local level

Integrity in the Activities of the Municipal Council

Indicators	Period	Source
Adoption of Ethics Code/ethical standards
The Code of Ethics is up to date to the good governance ethical standards
An effective mechanism to review signals for unethical conduct and corrupt behavior of municipal councilors is set up
An effective mechanism to prevent conflict of interest of municipal councilors is set up

Mayor

Capacity

А Clear Vision for Development

Indicators	Period	Source
The mayor has proposed a vision for the development of the municipality, including measures for good governance and prevention of corruption
Public access to reports for the implementation of the strategy
Other adopted strategies, programs and plans for the development of the municipality

Sustainable Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Adoption of an annual programme for investment/capital expenditures, which takes into account the needs of the citizens of the municipality
External resources accumulated through projects and contracts, in addition to the municipal budget
Public information available with reports regarding the implementation of projects by the municipality

Role

Management of the Local Administration

Indicators	Period	Source
The appointements in the municipal administration are based on competitions and criteria for proven professional capabilities.
Qualification and training opportunities for municipal administration staff

Control over Local Service Providers

Indicators	Period	Source
Transparency in the selection of external service providers
Implemented control over external public service providers, including public contractors

Interaction with the Local Business

Indicators	Period	Source
Inclusion of local business in the decision-making process at the local level
Public information regarding the rules for regulation over the activities of the local business, published on the municipal website
Control bodies in the municipality implement check-ups of the local business on the basis of pre-scheduled planning and clear criteria

Governance

Transparency of the Mayor's team work

Indicators	Period	Source
Transparency of the process of drafting the municipal budget
Transparency of the municiapl budget implementation
Transparency of the Mayor's team work

Accountability of the Mayor

Indicators	Period	Source
Mayor and his/her team use a variety of mechanisms for communication with citizens
Mayor and his/her team use a variety of accountability tools
Publicly accessible information on the implementation of important decisions

Integrity of the Mayor and His/Her Team

Indicators	Period	Source
Ethics code/code of conduct adopted for the members of the managing team of the municipality
The mayor and the members of his/her team comply with the requirements for declaring a conflict of interest and there are no cases of unethical behavior, conflict of interest or corrupt behavior
The mayor and his/her team develop own anticorruption initiatives or participate in aticorruption initiatives.

Municipal Administration

Capacity

Adequate Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Established system for providing quality and timely administrative services
Implementation of a system for electronic provision of services

Independence

Indicators	Period	Source
Rules and practices adopted for guaranteeing the municipal administration's independence from external interference
Rules adopted for the submission of signals by citizens regarding irregularities in the functioning of the administration
Submitted signals and recommendations are used for further improvement of administrative services

Role

Fostering Accountability and Civil Society Participation

Indicators	Period	Source
Citizen surveys for opinions and recommendations available on the municipal website and in print
Provided opportunity for civil participation in the planning of municipal policies
Provided opportunity for legitimate business participation in the planning of municipal policies

Local Taxes

Indicators	Period	Source
Information regarding tax payment published visibly on website/offices of the municipality
Possibility for online payment of local taxes via municipal website
Regular publishing of information on municipal website regarding local tax revenues

Management of Municipal Assets

Indicators	Period	Source
Lists (registers) available of municipal real estate (buildings, land, etc.) with possibility for citizen reference
Corruption scandals in the management of municipal property

Investment Friendly Servicing

Indicators	Period	Source
Created specialised structure for investment promotion and interaction with the business
A specialized section has been created on the website of the municipality with information on the conditions for doing business, including attracting investments

Governance

Transparency of Municipal Administration Servants

Indicators	Period	Source
Drafts of strategic documents and regulations published by the administration on the municipal website for public discussion
Reports and accounts of the implementation of municipal policies published on the municipal website
Lists (register) established by the administration and updated on the companies with municipal ownership, incl. publishing reports of their activity

Accountability of Municipal Administration Servants

Indicators	Period	Source
The administration publishes its annual activity reports
Results of investigations reported to the management, by making decisions to eliminate deficiencies and to impose sanctions

Integiry of of Municipal Administration Servants

Indicators	Period	Source
Availability of clear ethical rules for local municipal administration
There is a control mechanism for the implementation of Ethics Code /ethical rules
Declaring of incompatibility and conflict of interest

Political Parties

Capacity

Adequate Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Local political parties sources of funding
Use of offered office space for party/private purposes
Use of funds of obscure origin to buy votes and hidden media coverage

INDEPENDENCE AND REPRESENTATION OF INTERESTS

Indicators	Period	Source
Независимост на общинските съветници от външно влияние
Роля на местните структури при номиниране на кандидати за изборни позиции

Role

INTEREST ASSOCIATION AND REPRESENTATION

Indicators	Period	Source
Anti-corruption proposals at national level in the pre-election programs
Anti-corruption policies and measures of political parties at local level

INTERACTION WITH THE CIVIL SOCIETY

Indicators	Period	Source
Party initiatives in response to citizens' needs and expectations
Support to public campaigns and NGOs initiatives

Governance

Transparency of Local Political Partices/Candidates

Indicators	Period	Source
Provided information on local party leaders with contact details, including local party clubs
Information on the address and activity of the local party structures

Accountability of Local Political Partices/Candidates

Indicators	Period	Source
Accountability regarding the financing of parties and candidates in accordance with national legislation and international standards

ADHERENCE TO ETHICAL STANDARDS

Indicators	Period	Source
Existence of written ethical standards that are known to party members
Implementation of ethical rules - cases of unethical behavior and sanctions applied
Vote buying and controlled vote practices

Courts

Capacity

Adequate Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Workload of judges
Court building infrastructure and technical resources
Trainings of judges

Role

Judicial Effectiveness

Indicators	Period	Source
Postponed case-trials
Timeliness of justice
Protested court decisions

Governance

Transparency

Indicators	Period	Source
Providing publicity for the work of the Courts

Accountability

Indicators	Period	Source
Regular publication of activity reports

Integrity

Indicators	Period	Source
Adherence to ethical codes and implementation of rules for non-joinder in cases of conflict of interest
Sanctions imposed following disciplinary proceedings

Police

Capacity

Adequate Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Anti-corruption training of local level police officers
Carrier development of local police heads of units is based on competition procedures

Independence

Indicators	Period	Source
System for dealing with signals for breaches by employees
Impartiality of local policeman and administration - not giving in to corruption pressure

Role

Investigation of Corruption

Indicators	Period	Source
Closed corruption investigation cases – crimes in office (articles 282, 283, 283a of the Criminal Code)
Closed corruption investigation cases – bribes (articles 301 – 307а of the Criminal Code)
Effectiveness of investigation procedures - level of returned corruption cases for breaches of procedural rules at the investigation stage
Effectiveness in investigating crimes against citizens' voting rights (vote buying and pressure on voters)

Governance

Transparency of Local Police Directorates

Indicators	Period	Source
Practice of providing access to public information
Providing public information about the work of the Ministry of Interior

Accountability of Local Police Directorates

Indicators	Period	Source
Suistainable practice for police accountability at the local level

Integrity of Local Police Directorates

Indicators	Period	Source
Measures to prevent conflicts of interest
Effective system for reporting and investigating corruption

Business

Capacity

Independence of local business

Indicators	Period	Source
The decisions of local authorities regarding the economic activity in the municipality are not the result of illegitimate lobbying
Local business representatives are not subjected to misuse of power by local municipal authorities
Local business is involved in developing and advocating for regulations affecting its activities
Local business actively uses the opportunities for judicial protection and control

Terms or conditions for the business to carry out economic activity

Indicators	Period	Source
Favorable terms and conditions for carrying out economic activity
Stimulating favourable investment conditions

Role

Participation and support for local anticorruption policies

Indicators	Period	Source
Local business sector actively participates in municipal anticorruption policies
Local business representatives propose specific anticorruption measures and solutions

Support for local civil society

Indicators	Period	Source
Local business actively supports civil society in its anticorruption efforts and good governance initiatives

Governance

Transparency of local business

Indicators	Period	Source
Large companies and local business organizations publish infromation regarding their management
Large companies and local business organizations publish infromation regarding their initiatives in the field of sustainability of the local community

Accountability of local business

Indicators	Period	Source
Business organizations are accountable for the results of their activities
The activity reports of large companies and related information is publicly accessible

Integrity of local business

Indicators	Period	Source
Local companies and business organizations/associations have ethical codes and actively promote them among the business sector
Local companies and business organizations/associations implement a zero tolerance policy towards corruption
Mechanisms for dealing with signals for breaches by citizens
Mechanisms for dealing with signals for breaches by employees

Media

Capacity

Capacity of Local Media

Indicators	Period	Source
A variety of media exists on local level
Local media has sufficient financial resources to effectively implement its’ function of source of information

Independence

Indicators	Period	Source
Cases of harassment and threats towards journalists connected with their work
Cases of fired journalists over the last year in connection with conflicts with the editor/owner of the media
Local authorities are trying to exert control over local media by allocating advertising budgets and budgets for information activities.
Level of priority changes of local media according to the policies of different political parties
Controlled access to official and unofficial media sources

Role

Investigation and exposing of corruption

Indicators	Period	Source
Media have investigated and exposed large cases of corruption and irregularities and breaches
Local media have specialized programs for publishing information regarding investigations and publishing signals from citizens

Informing the Local Community of Corruption Impact. Ensuring pluralism of viewpoints

Indicators	Period	Source
Specialized media programs and campaigns aimed at informing the broad public with anticorruption practices and good governance principles
Local media provide political pluralism and are not a tool for discrediting political opponents

Governance

Indicators	Period	Source
Local media ensure publicity of contracts regarding coverage of election campaigns
The media do not carry out systematic negative campaigns against registered participants in the elections

Transparency of Local Media

Indicators	Period	Source
Local print and electronic media publish information regarding their ownership
Print and electronic media publish the authors of the information materials, commentaries and analysis

Accountability of Local Media

Indicators	Period	Source
Local media provide the right of reply and support discussion forums for feedback
Local media publish tariffs and contracts with political parties in relation with election campaigns

Integrity of Local Media

Indicators	Period	Source
The media follow an ethical code that has been established by the respective media or a professional association
Ethical codes are being employed effectively, real sanctions are in place, trainings are conducted for journalists on the topics of ethics
The basic rule of information checking from multiple sources is implemented
Obtained protection from a professional journalism association

Civil Society

Capacity

Capacity of Local Civil Society Organizations

Indicators	Period	Source
Local civil society organizations have access to municipal finding for financing activities with a high impact on local development
Local business has the practice of providing donations for civil society organizations
Local civil society organizations mobilize experts, persons with authority and citizens for their initiatives
Local civil society organizations receive support from local media

Independence

Indicators	Period	Source
Over the last year there are no media publications on employing pressure over civil society organizations
Over the last year there are no media publications on dependencies between civil society organizations and a) local authorities; b) political parties; c) business

Role

Effective Civil Society Oversight for Governance Accountability

Indicators	Period	Source
Civil society organizations regularly request information from local authorities
Over the last year civil society organizations have revealed cases of misuse and irregularities

Anti-corruption Policies and Reforms

Indicators	Period	Source
Civil society organizations have organized or participated in forums and initiatives towards streamlining the anticorruption activities of civil society organizations and institutions
Civil society organizations initiate or participate in the development of anti-corruption strategies and proposals
Civil society organizations are involved in local authorities' good governance initiatives, including to provide expertise (opinions, experience, good practices)

Governance

Transparency

Indicators	Period	Source
The websites of civil society organizations provide information regarding the members of their boards
Civil society organizations provide information regarding their projects and initiatives, including activities, results and finding

Accountability

Indicators	Period	Source
The websites of civil society organizations provide information and reports on their activities
Civil society organizations have the practice of organizing press conferences, publication of information materials and giving interviews conserting their activities;

Integrity

Indicators	Period	Source
Local civil society organizations have established ethical codes, practices and standards of conduct
Local civil society organizations monitor and evaluate the implementation of established ethical rules
Local civil society organizations are part of networks that create and monitor ethical rules connected to the work of the civil sector
There are no media publications on unethical/unprofessional behavior of civil society organizations’ representatives and their connection with local business interests, local authorities and political parties

Municipal hospitals

Capacity

Legal framework

Indicators	Period	Source
Existence of clearly circumscribied rules on the management of the municipal property in healthcare sector
Expert capacity of the Municipal Council to control municipal health care structures

Material Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Existence of adequately maintained infrastructure
Availability of standard technical equipment

Human Resources

Indicators	Period	Source
Provided specialists according to the registration of health carestructures
High-quality and properly paid employment to retain specialists in municipal health care structures

Role

Anti-corruption policies

Indicators	Period	Source
Municipal health care structures have their own anti-corruption policies
Municipal health care structures are involved and actively participate in policies and initiatives for the prevention of corruption,civil control and good governance in the municipality

Governance

Transparency

Indicators	Period	Source
Municipal health care structures provide access to public information for their management and supervisory bodies
Municipal health care structures provide access to public information on the financial aspects of their actitities

Accountability

Indicators	Period	Source
Municipal health care structures submit their annual financial and activity reports to the Municipal Council
Municipal councilors have access to specific documents related to the management of municipal health care structures
Local NGO's and media have access to specific documents related to the management of municipal health care structures

Integrity

Indicators	Period	Source
Existence of ethical rules for the management and supervisory bodies in municipal health care structures
Established mechanisms for dealing with citizens' signals regarding irregularities in the management of municipal health care structures
Established mechanisms for dealing with reports of breaches in the management of hospitals submitted by hospital employees

2023