Transparency International Bulgaria presented the annual results of the 2024 Local Integrity System Index survey. As is customary, this took place at an official ceremony at the Sofia Hotel Balkan, where best practices were recognized and municipalities that had made progress in implementing policies for efficiency, transparency, and accountability at the local level were honored.
The Municipality of Blagoevgrad was honored for “Implementing a strategic approach to the municipality’s oversight of municipal companies.” The executive director of Transparency International Bulgaria presented the award to Ms. Desislava Vitanova-Kehayova, secretary of the Municipality of Blagoevgrad.
The Kyustendil Municipality was also recognized for “Support for Civic Initiatives and Active Engagement with Civil Society.”
Mr. Ivaylo Stoyanov, head of the “Strategic Planning and Programming” Department within the “Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programs” Directorate General at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, presented the awards to the Sofia Municipality. The award for “Transparency in the Discussion of the Annual Budget and the Inclusion of Proposals from Citizens’ Committees” was presented to Mr. Ivan Vasilev, Deputy Mayor of the Sofia Municipality.
“A New Approach to Organizing the Work of the Municipal Administration and Introducing Ethical Standards for Administrative Leadership” is the best practice for which Stara Zagora was recognized; Mr. Nikolay Dikov, municipal secretary, personally accepted the award.
Mr. Marius Konov, secretary of the Montana Municipality, had the honor of receiving the award for “Public Reports on the Work of Municipal Administrative Bodies.”
The Municipality of Burgas is the “top performer” in this year’s ranking, based on the 2024 Local Integrity System Index. It achieved a total score of 3.71 out of a possible 5 points. In second place is the previous winner, the Municipality of Ruse, with 3.70 points, followed by Sofia City with 3.61.
At the bottom of the ranking are Silistra and Kardzhali, with scores below the critical 3 points.
The first-place award went to Mr. Bozhidar Kanchev, secretary of the Burgas Municipality. The best practice for which Mayor Dimitar Nikolov’s administration was recognized is “Contribution to the maintenance of web-based platforms that ensure transparency regarding business conditions and attracting investment.”
The Local Integrity System Index survey has been implemented by Transparency International Bulgaria since 2015. Its 10-year history clearly demonstrates its positive impact in encouraging municipalities to adopt good governance and curb corrupt practices by fostering “healthy” competition and the exchange of best practices among them.
Municipalities with a high level of integrity should have priority access to investments and funding. The 2024 study aimed to assess the contribution of municipal councils, mayors, municipal administrations, political parties, the business community, the media, the civil society sector, and municipal health care to the prevention of corruption at the local level.
The event focused on the fight against corruption at the local level, which will allow us to deepen the discussion on regional development, investment, and support for building capacity for effective, transparent, and accountable governance.
The ceremony was conducted within the “Local Integrity System Index – Sustainable Business Development” project, implemented with the financial support from the America for Bulgaria Foundation.