News
12.12.2024

Local Integrity System Index: а ten-year review of trends and progress

In November, TI-Bulgaria will begin a series of discussions with local authorities for the situation of local government and the effects of the political crises in Bulgaria. The discussions are part of the project Local Integrity System Index – sustainable business development.

TI-Bulgaria has published the results of the 2024 Local Integrity System Index, highlighting a decade of progress in transparency and accountability in local governance in Bulgaria.

  

 Key Trends for the Period 2015–2024

  

The findings reveal that the digitalization of administrative services and the public availability of registries have significantly improved transparency. Many municipalities have successfully implemented online platforms for reporting irregularities and facilitating interaction with citizens.

  

Municipal administrations and mayors show consistent growth in their indices. This progress is attributed to the expansion of electronic services, improved communication with businesses and citizens, and increased transparency in budgets and local projects.

  

Civil society organizations remain active participants in the process, monitoring institutions and promoting the adoption of good practices. However, the implementation of transparency and whistleblower protection laws often remains formal.

  

Regional imbalances are also significant – municipalities like Burgas and Ruse stand out with good practices, while Kardzhali continue to lag behind.

  

What Do the Results Show?

In 2015, the overall index stood at 3.14 points, rising to 3.27 points in 2024 – an indicator of the sustainable strengthening of local institutions.

  

Mayors: The index rose from 3.57 in 2015 to 3.82 in 2024.

  

Municipal Councils: Transparency has significantly improved with the implementation of live broadcasting of meetings and better public access to agendas and materials.

  

Key Challenges

Lack of Capacity in Lagging Regions: Municipalities like Silistra and Kardzhali continue to suffer from insufficient resources and weak dialogue with citizens.

  

Limited Anti-Corruption Effectiveness: Effective mechanisms for uncovering corruption remain underdeveloped.

  

Financial Issues for Local Media: These restrict investigative journalism and public scrutiny.

  

What is Needed to Achieve Progress?

Encouraging Citizen Participation: Developing tools to engage citizens in the budgeting process and strategic planning.

  

Strengthening Media and the Judiciary: Ensuring financial independence and optimizing judicial processes through electronic systems.

  

The ten-year review of the Local Integrity System Index demonstrates sustainable improvement in local governance. Despite positive trends, systematic efforts are still needed to address regional imbalances, enhance accountability, and involve citizens in decision-making processes.

10.12.2024

Celebrating Excellence: Six Bulgarian Municipalities Honoured for Good Governance by Transparency International Bulgaria

TI-Bulgaria presented the annual results of the Local Integrity System Index for 2024. Traditionally, this took place at an official ceremony in Sofia Hotel Balkan, where the best practices and municipalities that have made progress in implementing policies for efficiency, transparency and accountability at the local level were awarded.

Blagoevgrad Municipality was awarded for “Implementing a strategic approach in carrying out the municipality’s control activities over municipal companies”.

The Executive Director of TI-Bulgaria presented the award to Ms. Desislava Vitanova-Kehayova, Secretary of Blagoevgrad Municipality.

Kyustendil Municipality was also awarded for “Support for civic initiatives and active work with civil society”. Mr. Ivaylo Stoyanov – Head of the “Strategic Planning and Programming” Department in the General Directorate “Strategic Planning and Programs for Regional Development” in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works presented the awards to Sofia Municipality.

The prize for “Transparency in discussing the annual budget and including proposals from civil society organizations” was awarded to Mr. Ivan Vassilev, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality.

Mr. Marius Konov, Secretary of Montana Municipality, had the honor of receiving the award for “Public reports on the work of the municipal administration structures”.

Burgas Municipality leads the 2024 Local Integrity System Index with an impressive score of 3.71 out of 5, earning the title of this year’s top performer. Close behind is last year’s winner, Ruse Municipality, with 3.70 points, followed by Sofia City at 3.61 points. At the other end of the spectrum, Silistra and Kardzhali remain at the bottom, scoring below the critical threshold of 3 points.

Mr. Bozhidar Kanchev, Secretary of Burgas Municipality, accepted the award for first place. The administration, under Mayor Dimitar Nikolov, was recognized for its exemplary practice of maintaining web-based platforms that enhance transparency, promote favorable business conditions, and attract investments.

The Local Integrity System Index has been implemented by TI-Bulgaria since 2015. Its 10-year history clearly shows the positive results in stimulating municipalities towards good governance and limiting corruption practices by creating “good” competition and the exchange of good practices between them.

Municipalities with a high level of integrity should have priority access to investments and financing.

The 2024 Index aimed to identify the contribution of the municipal council, mayor, municipal administration, political parties, business, media, civil society and municipal healthcare to the prevention of corruption at the local level.

The focus of the event was the fight against corruption at the local level, which will allow us to deepen the conversation about regional development, investments and providing assistance for the development of capacity for effective, transparent and accountable governance.

The event is part of the project “Local Integrity System Index – Sustainable Business Development”, implemented with the financial support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation.

31.10.2024

TI-Bulgaria seeks for Best Practices for Local Governance

In November, TI-Bulgaria will begin a series of discussions with local authorities for the situation of local government and the effects of the political crises in Bulgaria. The discussions are part of the project Local Integrity System Index – sustainable business development.

The project is the largest annual Index on the anti-corruption, capacity, role and significance of institutions and sectors from Bulgaria’s public, political and economic life. The Local Integrity System Index is the only one covering all 27 municipalities regional centers.

The analysis by Transparency International Bulgaria’s experts includes municipal councils, mayors, municipal administrations, local political parties, businesses, media, civil society, and municipal healthcare.

Before the final assessment, the team holds a series of meetings with local authorities, media, civil society organizations, and businesses to verify preliminary data from the 2024 Local Integrity System Index.

This fall, the meetings will take place in seven cities — Blagoevgrad, Haskovo, Plovdiv, Vratsa, Burgas, Varna, and Ruse  with participants and representatives from all observed municipalities in the country.

The final ranking in the Local Integrity System Index – Sustainable Business Development for 2024 will be announced at a special ceremony in Sofia in December.

The project is funded by the America for Bulgaria Foundation.

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