In 2004, a Community Forum started in Belogradchik. The topic of the Forum was “Development of Tourism in Municipality of Belogradchik. This project was implemented under Forum Programme of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The Forum was implemented by the Regional Environmental Center – Bulgaria in partnership with Municipality of Belogradchik.



The Community Forum in Belogradchik represented a broad public involvement in discussing a matter of community importance. Within ten public sessions, people were able to discuss the issue of development of tourism in their region and town. The Forum laid the ground for equal dialogue and agreement on important issues among different social groups. The goal of the Forum in Belogradchik was to outline a shared vision on the development of tourism. At the same time it aimed at discussion of ideas, the implementation of which would contribute to making that common vision a reality.

Participants of the Forum have chosen the main topics of discussion related to the development of tourism in Belogradchik. The ten sessions were focused on tourist product and advertisement; infrastructure, facilities; and development of human resources.

The project fund of the Forum amounted to 128 000 leva, of which 100 000 were provided by the SDC and another 28 000 by Municipality of Belogradchik. The project fund was used for implementation of the projects, the ideas for which the participants came up with during the Forum discussions. As a result of the Forum process, twelve projects were developed as seven of these were eventually implemented.

Bulletins, issued after each session, could be downloaded and read here.

---

More about the projects of the Forum in Belograchik:

Project Name	Organisation	Funding by SDC and Municipality of Belogradchik in thousands BGN
Belogradchik– nature and tradition	Information Business Center	25 716
Construction of sports facility	GRAD Volleyball Club	26 292
Richness and mystery of Magura Cave	History Museum	19 880
LILY town fontain	Information Business Center	20 415
World of Rocks	Nature Protection Society	16 514
With a map andcompass around Belogradchik rocks	Tourism Association	15 111
ROBY“talking” waste-bin	Information Business Center	4 120

---

„BELOGRADCHIK – NATURE AND TRADITION” Project
Implemented by “Information Business Center for Regional Development”



Results achieved:

• Working tourist information center (TIC)
• Twelve mountain guides trained
• Tourist guide published
• Equipment for speleo-tourists
• Website www.belogradchik.info
• Video and multimedia for publicity

back to list

---

“CONSTRUCTION OF SPORTS FACILITY” Project    
Implemented by GRAD Volleyball Club



Results achieved:

• Beach volleyball court constructed;
• Combined volleyball/basketball/badminton court constructed;
• Green area around the playgrounds.

back to list

---

“RICHNESS AND MYSTERY OF MAGURA CAVE” Project
Implemented by History Museum



Results achieved:

• Extended tourist route inside the cave
• Reconstructed and renovated front-cave area;
• Eco-path from the cave to the hill with picturesque view
• Exposition area
• Facilities for presentation of Magura Cave to disabled people
• Documentary video about Magura Cave
• Brochure about the cave
• Guide about the cave
• Combined volleyball/basketball/badminton court constructed

back to list

---

“LILY Town Fountain” Project
Implemented by “Information Business Center for Regional Development”


 
Results achieved:

• Reconstructed town fountain and the nearby area
• Installed sound and illuminating appliances
• Renovated flower gardens
• Mounted square lighting
• Furnished and installed benches

back to list

---

“World Of Rocks” Project
Implemented by Nature Protection Society



Results achieved:

• New eco-path, and a whole new tourist product for a better presentation of Belogradchik rocks
• Renovated marking on the old eco-paths
• Information tables placed, presenting interesting facts about the rocks
• Map-brochure published
• Students trained for guides

back to list

---

“With a map and compass around Belogradchik rocks” Project
Implemented by Tourism Association



Results achieved:

• The tradition of orientation sport in Belogradchik is revived
• Perambulated maps
• Trained competitors and referees
• The Association now has the capacity and equipment to organise competitions in orientation of national and international scale

back to list

---

“ROBY “talking” waste-bin” project
Implemented by “Information Business Center for Regional Development”


 
Results achieved:

• Designed and mounted two “talking” waste-bins in two schools in Belogradchik 

You could find more about the Forum Programme on the website of Bolkan Assist

Information about Belograchik and tourism there, you could find on
www.belogradchik.info

go back