On 17 October 2014 the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria (ESC) held a meeting on which a draft opinion of the ESC on “The approach of Community-led Local Development as an instrument of Cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020 and its implementation in Bulgaria” was discussed.

The consultation took part within the open meeting of two of the ESC’s standing commissions – the Commission for Regional Policy, Environment and Sustainability and the Commission for Budget, Finances, Insurance and Social Security. Among the participants were Dobrinka Krasteva - director of the “Programming of EU Funds” Directorate in the administration of the Council of Ministers, representatives of the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria, Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Regional Development, Ministry of Education and Science and also representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs).

The Community-led Local Development approach is included in the Partnership Agreement between Bulgaria and the European Union 2014-2020 as part of the integrated territorial development of our country and the ESC recognizes its importance for the development of specific regions.

During the discussion all participants were able to express their views on the draft opinion and they made ​​a number of constructive proposals. In conclusion, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the consultation and said that the opinion is really relevant and that they hope it can be helpful to the Bulgarian development.