The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) with the kind support of the Hanns Seidel Stiftung in Bulgaria organized second bilateral forum for municipal experts in applying for and managing projects financed by the EU. As for the first edition Bansko was selected as host destination. Approximately 40 participants presented the positions of central and local authorities as well as the NGO sector.

An honorary guest of the official opening of the forum was the deputy mayor of Bansko – Lazar Zahov. The First Plenary session of the event started with cunningly presented information on the socio-economic status and potential of the border regions in Bulgaria and Macedonia by Nadya Yorgova (EPI) and Melina Grizo (Association for European Integration and Cooperation, Skopje). Details on the Program Cross-border Cooperation were offered in the informative presentation of Maria Delevic from the Ministry of Local Self-Government in Skopje. Mrs. Margarita Velcheva from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Sofia provided a logical continuation to the topic that considerably contributed to the clarification of the minutest details in project applying process. As a conclusion of the informative part of the first day, Mr. Pavel Ivanov from the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria created grounds for debate over the decentralization processes in the country.

The afternoon sessions were moderated by Diana Bebenova (consulting expert, Silistra) and Lubica Tomova (acting as executive director for the Southwest Municipalities Association). With the active involvement of the public and the lecturers an ardent debate was conducted on the good practices, the problems and the overall experience in applying for and implementing cross-border projects with two other countries – Romania and Greece.

The second day of the seminar was dedicated to the introduction of the managing bodies of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Macedonia-Bulgaria. Mrs. Biliana Vlaeva representing the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has provided more detailed information about the Joint Technical Secretariat in Kyustendil. The final touch was added by Mrs. Atina Murgashanska, deputy manager of the Northeastern Planning Region, Macedonia. The Economic Policy Institute and Hanns Seidel Foundation saw the participants off at Bansko with their positive feedback of the seminar.