U.S. Agency for International Development
Sofia, Bulgaria

National Citizens Awareness Campaign For Local Action on Cleanup
Local Government Initiative, Sofia, Bulgaria
Management Systems International, Washington, D.C.

Using information collected from focus groups, DSM designed a citizens awareness toolkit and delivery method that would be used by all Bulgarian municipalities to implement local education initiatives on litter reduction, value of municipal solid waste collection services and related cost of services, and public health and environmental benefits of proper waste management. The toolkit items included: manual on how to implement local citizen's awareness campaigns; television clip and three audio clips; four color campaign poster; campaign t-sheet, buttons and stickers; campaign flyers on public health benefits from improved solid waste management; mayoral proclamation to kick-off campaign; clean-up day announcements; a CD that contained electronic versions of all toolkit items; and fact sheets on collection service fee setting to improve fee tolerance. In addition, a web site was created to launch the campaign.

Full Cost Accounting For Solid Waste and Water Supply Services
Local Government Initiative, Sofia Bulgaria

DSM recently completed an eighteen-month project in Bulgaria to develop a full cost accounting methodology for solid waste collection and disposal services for use by Bulgarian municipalities. Six pilot municipalities participated in development of a manual for use by other Bulgarian municipalities. Bulgarian finance and technical specialists participated in the development and were trained to train other municipal officials in the use of this manual. After completion of the manual a dissemination conference was organized which was attended by mayors or deputy mayors of 130 municipalities throughout Bulgaria. Based on the success of the solid waste manual a companion water supply manual was developed and tested in four pilot municipalities.

Focus Groups with Citizens and Local Businesses
on Citizen Participation in Solid Waste Management
Local Government Initiative, Sofia, Bulgaria Development Alternatives, Inc.

DSM trained trainers to use the focus group method to collect information from citizens and businesses in pilot municipalities on the role of citizens and local government in solid waste management. The focus group concentrated on identifying best methods and messages to implement a citizen¢â¡Ás awareness campaign to gain citizen participation in addressing solid waste management challenges in their municipality. Citizen and business willingness to pay issues were also addressed to provide municipal officials with information on the potential to set fees sufficient to cover all costs. DSM developed the focus group with trainer participation and then conducted focus groups in four municipalities as a team. DSM then compiled and analyzed information collected to develop the next phase of the project, a national citizens awareness campaign to clean up Bulgaria's municipalities through design of locally based campaigns on litter reduction, improved waste collection services and reduction in illegal burning and disposal.

The campaign was kicked off with toolkits distributed at National Convention of Mayors. The project included training and working with a newly formed national public relations organization to take over the campaign and project. A follow-up and monitoring program was also designed and slated for further grant funding.

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