On 10 February 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry (MFA) and the Bulgarian Platform for International Development BPID was concluded at an official ceremony at the premises of the MFA.The MoU will strengthen the collaboration between the MFA and the NGO sector and will provide an excellent opportunity for exchange of information and best practices, as well as better use of the expertise provided by civil society organisations (CSOs) for the implementation of development policy. Bulgaria will be able to benefit from this partnership in all its aspects. The members of BPID are renown non-governmental organisations with extensive experience working on development cooperation projects in the Western Balkans, the Black Sea region, Central Asia and Africa.
The MoU between the MFA and BPID came into effect on 10 February 2015 for a period of two years. The MoU is based on Ordinance No 234 of 01.08.2011, regulating the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in Development Cooperation. As stipulated by Ordinance No 234, when granting bilateral or/and regional development aid, the Ministry should involve national or/and international non-governmental organisations active in development cooperation.
The MoU stipulates the common understandings about the collaboration between BPID and the MFA. The two parties to the MoU undertake to review the accomplished results periodically, to exchange information about initiatives, programmes and projects related to Bulgaria’s participation in the work of UN, EC, etc. The two parties to the MoU will elaborate a common work plan and activity report. The parties plan to participate in common projects, support voluntary work, raise awareness about development cooperation policy. BPID undertakes to provide expertise and analyses to the MFA for the elaboration of strategic documents in the area of development cooperation policy and to support the MFA in its efforts to raise awareness of civil society.
The upcoming launch of the European Year for Development in Bulgaria is an additional stimulus for further expansion and deepening of the partnership with the civil society organisations represented by BPID. Minister Mitov expressed his satisfaction with the success of Bulgaria’s Programme for the EYD 2015 in Brussels. BPID contributed largely to the elaboration of the Project for EYD 2015 that the MFA presented to the European Commission. The European Commission recognised the project as an initiative rich in events, perfectly corresponding to the Decision on EYD 2015 by the Council of the EC and the EP.
Please take a look at the MFA's website reporting on this event.
Photo courtesy of Bulgarian MFA: Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and Ventsislav Kirkov of the Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID).
Information provided by Elitsa Akseva, BPID
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