COMMUNICATING EU STRUCTURAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA INFORM, Madeira, November 2010 Maria Dimitrova Director of Information and Systems for EU Funds Management Directorate Administration of the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CP of OP Transport CP of OP Environment CP of OP Competitive- ness CP of OPAC CP of OP Human Resources CP of OPRD CP of OP Technical Assistance Communication Strategy National Network of Communications Officers

FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTRAL INFORMATION OFFICE   provides the development, management and maintenance of the single web portal for general information on the Structural and Cohesion Funds of the European Union in Bulgaria   coordinates the effective implementation of the information and publicity measures of the operational programmes, co-financed by the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds   coordinates the network of information centers for the promotion of EU Cohesion Policy in Bulgaria in order to achieve and maintain a consistent approach and ensure the quality of their services   develops and implements the Communication Strategy of the National Strategic Reference Framework

NATIONAL NETWORK OF OPS’ COMMUNICATION OFFICERS Central Information Office I&P OP “Competitiv eness” I&P OP “Environment ” I&P OP “Regional development” I&P OP “Technical Assistance” I&P OP “Transport” I&P OP “Human Resources” I&P OP “Administrativ e Capacity”

INFORMATION CAMPAIGN   Campaign’s Logo and Slogan: “The European Funds in Bulgaria - We Create Together”   Campaign’s objective – to motivate potential beneficiaries and to reassure the public that EU funds management is transparent, open, and responsible   TV and Radio Clips, Advertorials and Internet banners – showing successful projects, co-financed with European money   Public events – one in each planning region   Media Competition

CAMPAIGN’S MESSAGES   Early information for upcoming procedures   Increased up to 35% advance payments for infrastructure projects   Shorter deadlines for processing of documentation  accelerated payments   Transparency   Good public dialogue

PUBLIC EVENTS

UMIS PUBLIC MODULE   Maximum data from the Bulgarian Unified Management Information System displayed– unique within the EU   Data for each contract, each project and each payment with European money displayed   There are records for each beneficiary and each contractor and subcontractor   The data is updated regularly   Created in accordance with the European Transparency Initiative   Accessed from the web portal

UMIS PUBLIC MODULE

27 DISTRICT INFORMATION CENRES FOR EU COHESION POLICY   Information services – provision of general and specific information related to NSRF and OPs, dissemination of good practices and free info materials   Communication services – work with target groups, local authorities, local media and other EU networks   Expertise activities – provision of information to potential beneficiaries, answers to specific questions related to the OPs, ensuring feedback to MAs and CIO   Logistic services – venue for events, support for information campaigns, provision of computer access

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Contacts: Address: 1 Dondukov Blvd., Sofia 1594, Bulgaria Phone: