LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PRACTICE CASEBOOK WITH CASES FROM SMOLYAN MUNICIPALITY, BULGARIA CITY OF REZEKNE, LATVIA CITY OF POPRAD, SLOVAK REPUBLIC Gwen Swinburn and Fergus Murphy, Editors A Knowledge Product of 1818 H Street, NW Carl-Bertelsmann Str. 256 Washington, DC 20433 D-33311 Gütersloh, Germany Tel: +1.202.473.1000 Tel: +49 5241 81-81190 Fax: +1.202.522.3232 www.bertelsmann -stiftung.de/ www.worldbank.org/urban/led/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Local Economic Development (LED) Strategic Planning and Practice Casebook was compiled and edited by Gwen Swinburn, Senior Urban Specialist in the Urban Development Unit of the World Bank, and Fergus Murphy, Consultant. The Casebook forms part of an ongoing program of Local Economic Development Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building, and is supported by the Urban Development Unit of the World Bank and the United Kingdom Department for International Development. In compiling this Casebook, special thanks are given to the agencies and organizations that have made this publication possible through their demonstrated good practice in LED strategic planning. These include: the City of Smolyan, Bulgaria; the City of Rezekne, Latvia; and the City of Poprad, Slovak Republic. Grateful acknowledgement is made to these agencies for granting permission to reprint these strategies for the purpose of this LED Casebook. The editors are grateful to the Bertelsmann Foundation for their support and comment in making this LED Casebook a reality. The editors would also like to express their gratitude to Dora Harris, Program Assistant, World Bank, and Robb Simms, Consultant, for the formatting of this Casebook. This LED Strategic Planning and Practice Casebook is a Knowledge Management Product of the World Bank and Cities of Change Initiative, and has been produced in conjunction with the Bertelsmann Foundation. DISCLAIMER The World Bank Group does not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of these strategies. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in these documents should not be attributed in any manner to the World Bank or its affiliated organizations, members of its Board of Executive Directors, the governments they represent, or the Bertelsmann Foundation. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data contained n i these documents nor does it accept responsibility for any consequences of its use. i TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER .............................................................................................................................i INTRODUCTION TO CASEBOOK..........................................................................................3 OVERVIEW OF LED STRATEGIES ........................................................................................4 CITY OF SMOLYAN.................................................................................................................6 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................8 LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 13 DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY ............................................................................. 23 SWOT ANALYSIS.............................................................................................................. 24 CITY OF SMOLYAN ‘VISION TO PROJECTS’ MATRIX .............................................. 25 CITY OF SMOLYAN PROJECTS MATRIX..................................................................... 29 CITY OF SMOLYAN LED PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN................................ 35 STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION.................................................................................... 37 MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION ........ 45 CITY OF SMOLYAN – EXAMPLES OF LED PROJECT ACTION PLANS.................... 47 CITY OF REZEKNE................................................................................................................ 60 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 62 LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 67 DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY ............................................................................. 75 SWOT ANALYSIS.............................................................................................................. 75 VISION TO PROJECTS MATRIX..................................................................................... 78 CITY OF REZEKNE PROJECTS MATRIX ...................................................................... 80 LED PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.................................................................... 81 CITY OF REZEKNE LED PROJECTS .............................................................................. 81 STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION.................................................................................... 84 LED PROJECT ACTION PLANS ...................................................................................... 88 CITY OF POPRAD .................................................................................................................. 98 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................100 LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT ................................................................................108 DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY ............................................................................115 POPRAD LED ‘VISION TO PROJECTS’ MATRIX ........................................................118 POPRAD PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN...........................................................124 CITY OF POPRAD LED ACTION PLANS.......................................................................126 2 INTRODUCTION TO CASEBOOK When asked what is the most serious problem facing their community, most Mayors will include unemployment at or very near the top of the list. This was clearly the case when, as the World Bank and Bertelsmann Foundation were starting the Cities of Change program in 1999, participating Mayors were asked what policy issue they would most want see addressed in the pilot Cities of Change program. Mayors wanted to know how they could reduce unemploym ent and poverty in their municipalities. As a result of this interest, the local economic development cluster emerged. In 1999, at the beginning of the program, the concept of LED strategic planning was relatively new in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics and Balkans, but also comparatively new in Europe. Where good practice had been developed, it had only infrequently been published and there were relatively few capacity building and knowledge products available in the public domain to enable lo cal governments and their partners to learn how to develop their own LED strategies. The Cities of Change program aimed to help the LED cluster cities to design and implement their own LED strategies. A core task of the program was to develop practical k nowledge products that could be used by municipal governments and communities to understand, design and implement integrated LED strategic planning. As a practical product of the program, this LED Strategic Planning and Practice Casebook seeks to help the reader understand municipal approaches to LED strategic planning by identifying good practice in strategic planning methodology. The Casebook serves as a collection of three local economic development strategies that provide examples of good practice from across Europe and from the Cities of Change network. The Casebook also contains good practice notes and comments. Most municipalities are tempted to develop long and highly detailed strategies, however, if the process is to be truly effective and output-oriented, the key is to develop short, well written strategies that are inclusive and encourage stakeholder involvement and input. As this Casebook demonstrates, the link between the evidence base, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and the vision, goals, objectives, programs and projects needs to be fully understand if a community is to develop an LED strategic plan. The strategies contained in this Casebook each demonstrate strong linkages between the evidence base and LED strategic aims. Further information of LED Strategic Planning can be found at www.worldbank.org/urban/led where additional LED resources and case studies are available. The Cities of Change Web site (www.citiesofchange.net/) also lists the key resources and information about the pilot cities, strategic management more broadly, and environmental management. 3 OVERVIEW OF LED STRATEGIES This LED Strategic Planning and Practice Casebook has been compiled to provide examples of LED strategies and action plans that are comprehensive, well structured and integrated in their approach to improving the potential for local economic growth. The primary objective of the Casebook is to highlight good practice in LED strategic planning so that the lessons identified can be replicated and applied by other municipalities and cities in their efforts to develop their local economy. In compiling these strategies, a key aim is to showcase the benefit of devising an integrated LED strategy with appropriate programs and p rojects so as to create better conditions for lasting economic growth and employment generation. These strategies were developed in countries with very different levels of economic development and with varying degrees of decentralization. The purpose is to show that even in the most challenging situations, local government in partnership with the business community and other stakeholders can start to improve the conditions that will enable businesses to grow faster and better. We hope these strategies will serve as an incentive for other municipalities to think seriously about how they can develop better business enabling environments. City of Smolyan Local Economic Development Strategy, Bulgaria § Written by the City of Smolyan municipal team and produced as part of the Cities of Change initiative, a joint program of the World Bank and the Bertelsmann Foundation, this LED strategy reflects the efforts of the City of Smolyan to initiate and develop a comprehensive and structured LED strategy. § In pursuing a step-by-step approach that covers the five key stages of strategy development, the strategy includes a comprehensive breakdown of the municipal budget and provides a thorough local economy assessment. § It contains a visions to projects matrix that outlines the sequential nature of the LED strategy making process, and provides the specific and necessary details for each project. § Usefully, the strategy implementation section contains a multiyear investment planning procedure that highlights budgetary revenues and expenditures. § It contains an LED project implementation table that clearly identifies LED project partners, funding sources, project duration, beneficiaries and start date. § In seeking to provide a greater understanding of the practical requirements of implementing the LED strategy, the strategy concludes with a set of LED project action plans that highlight the nature and requirements of the individual LED projects. City of Rezekne Strategy for Local Economic Development, Latvia § Written by the City of Rezekne municipal team and produced as part of the Cities of Change initiative, this LED strategy reflects the efforts of the City of Rezekne to initiate and develop a comprehensive and structured LED strategy. § In pursuing the five stage approach to strategy development, the strategy includes a detailed background to the LED planning process and provides a comprehensive breakdown of the municipal budget. Of note in this strategy is the strength of the local economy assessment. § The strategy contains a ‘vision to projects’ matrix that outlines the sequential nature of the LED strategy making process, and contains a balanced set of hard and soft infrastructure projects. 4 § It provides an overview of Rezekne’s multi-year financing plan and capital improvement planning system, and is accompanied by an interesting section detailing the development of an agency approach to LED that has been established to oversee strategy implementation. § Rezekne’s strategy contains an LED project implementation table that clearly identifies LED project partners, funding sources, project duration, beneficiaries and start date. § To provide an understanding of practical planning requirements and inputs necessary to realize the strategy, it concludes with a sample set of project action plans that highlight the nature and likely resources of individual LED projects. City of Poprad Strategy for Local Economic Development, Slovak Republic § Written by the City of Poprad municipal team and produced as part of the Cities of Change initiative, this LED strategy follows the five stage approach to LED strategy planning. § The strategy contains a detailed overview of the LED institutional set-up that is necessary to carry forward LED strategic planning. It includes a description of the municipal budgetary process and background to the LED planning process. Of note in this strategy is the role of a strong local employer in the municipality, and the related approaches taken to maximizing the benefits of developing the local economy. § The strategy contains a ‘vision to projects’ matrix that clearly outlines the integrated and structured nature of devising LED projects, and includes a balanced set of hard and soft infrastructure projects that seek to build local capacity. § The strategy provides an overview of Poprad’s multi-year financing plan and capital improvement planning system, and includes information on the role and results of a business attitude survey as a means of informing LED strategy from a private sector perspective. § Poprad’s strategy contains an LED project implementation table that identifies LED project partners, funding sources, project duration, beneficiaries and start date. The strategy concludes with a sample set of project action plans that outline likely resources associated with individual LED projects, project partners, risk factors and evaluation timeline. 5 CITY OF SMOLYAN LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2004-2007 Smolyan, Bulgaria May, 2004 6 Disclaimer This strategy has been written by the City of Smolyan Municipal Team with advice and guidance from the World Bank Group and the Bertelsmann Foundation. The World Bank Group and Bertelsmann Foundation do not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of this strategy; they do however congratulate the Municipal Team for the quality of this work. 7 INTRODUCTION Local Government in CEE Countries Local governments are increasingly making decisions and actions that have a long term impact on the local community. To ensure that these decisions and actions are undertaken in a consistent way, a clear and long-term perspective is necessary. This preferred direction, often called a vision, should be developed with strong and active participation from the local community. The use of strategic planning and management methodologies is a way for developing the vision and transferring the vision into successful programs, projects and actions. Cities of Change Program The World Bank and Bertelsmann Foundation decided to support ten cities from the Central and Eastern Europe region under the group heading of the Cities of Change network. Support provided under the Cities of Change program included the financing of network meetings, training in appropriate methodologies and the provision of technical assistance to initiate the development of five-stage local economic development strategies planning process. In devising programs and projects to fulfill the preferred vision for Smolyan municipality, this five-stage process included: § Organizing the Effort § Doing the Local Economy Assessment § Preparing the Strategy § Strategy Implementation § Developing of the Monitoring and Evaluation System In undertaking these stages, each of these stages wer e informed best practices. Below is a brief summary of the process and results of the work undertaken in the City of Smolyan. Smolyan Municipal Government Three governmental tiers of public administration exist in Bulgaria: § State administration on the central level; § Regional administration being fully dependent on central administration (no democracy and no council on this level); and, § Municipal government as the only level of local government. Important reforms on decentralization in Bulgaria were introduced in 1995 (Local Government and Local Administration Act) and in 1997 (Local Budget Act and Local Taxes and Fees Act). Mayors and members of a municipal city government are locally elected. The mayor has responsibility for chairing city council meetings and is head of the municipal administration. An administration consists of a city hall and other departmental units like budgetary units (otdel) and budgetary enterprises (zveno). The mayor has responsibility for selecting and recruiting departmental heads, and these heads report to the mayor. The financial plans of all departments are included in the municipal budget and must be agreed and approved by the city council. Smolyan local government has a number of statutory responsibilities that include primary education, health service, culture, daycare, physical planning, the issuing of trade and construction permits, public asset management, the maintenance of local roads, household waste collection, planning and budgeting. Water and wastewater services, electricity, and telecommunication services are managed by the state. At the end of each annual financial planning cycle, municipal units and departments prepare an assessment of their “needs” for the next year. Often, those needs are higher than the budget will allow, and a final budgetary section is prepared on the basis of last year numbers making small corrections according to the department suggestions. A draft of the municipal budget is analyzed by deputy mayors and discussed with the m ayor. After the mayor has accepted the draft budget, the draft 8 is then presented to the full city council for discussion. After discussion, the council approves the budget. Then the head of each unit and the wider administration is informed of the resources that are available for them. Organizing the Effort In Smolyan, the Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Tourism and Investment initiated the local economic development (LED) process of updating of the LED strategy. The Mayor established an internal Interdepartmental LED Group (ILG) that consists of: § Deputy Mayor (responsible for LED) § Head of the Department of Architecture, Construction and Ecology § Head of Finance Department § Chief Architect § Head of Legal Department § Head of Construction Section § Head of Land Management Section (Cadastre) § Head of Municipal Ownership Section § Head of Education, Culture and Health § Head of Tourism and Investment The ILG takes part in the LED stakeholder meeting and considers administrative issues relating to LED. The ILG meets on a monthly basis or on demand when necessary. Smolyan City Council, comprising of 29 elected members, has created two Commissions to oversee LED. The Budget and Economic Development Commission has six members and the Privatization, Municipal Property and Investment Commission has nine members. The Commissions sit prior to City Council meetings and provide expert and legal advice on the propositions and resolutions that the City Council is considering. LED Stakeholder Group With the Municipality having good relationships with representatives of the local community, a Stakeholders Group was identified and created to participate in the LED strategy development process. The Stakeholders Group consists of: § Local Chamber of Trade and Industry Representative § Association of Rodophean Municipalities § Regional Development Agency § Local Industry § Local Hotel Owners § Representative of local restaurant owners § Local Media § Association of Potato Producers § Regional Tax Administration Office § Local Office of the State Road Administration § Local Water and Sewage Company § Local Electricity Company § Local Office of the Ministry of Culture § Regional Inspection for Environment Protection. § Other Departments of the Smolyan Municipality Strategy Making Process In 2001, the Deputy Mayor of Smolyan with responsibility for LED recruited an expert to develop a draft LED strategy document for the city. The first stakeholder meeting to discuss this document was held in February 2001. As a result of this meeting, stakeholders provided feedback on the content of 9 the strategy. The strategy was approved without major changes and a decision was taken to update the strategy in the next year with stronger involvement of the local community during the process. A second stakeholders meeting occurred in January 2002. The aim was to review new data collected, review problems and opportunities, and prioritize LED actions. As the attendance of this meeting was not sufficient (lack of SMEs representatives) the final goal has not been achieved. As a result of this, the leader of the LED section then met with the Head of the Chamber of Commerce and using a summary of the stakeholders meeting, conversations with SME representatives and earlier feedback and survey results, an LED vision, goals and objectives were proposed. An internal ILG meeting was then held to discuss the proposition of LED programs. A third stakeholders meeting began from the presentation by the city team a structure of goals, objectives and programs. The stakeholders discussed and proposed some small changes that have been included in the final shape of the drafted strategy document. Then finally the new LED strategy document has been discussed and approved by Smolyan City Council in autumn 2002. After its approval, the document was published and was made available for the local community and visitors. The current LED strategy document is the result of an evaluation and monitoring review undertaken during the period November 2003 to May 2004. This update coincided with a new political administration following local elections held in October 2003. The revised strategy was informed by the development of a Tourism Development Strategy for Smolyan that identified data on the state of infrastructure, tourist and tourism-related services, and took into consideration stakeholders opinions and views. This process resulted in the identification of a full inventory of projects into implementation phase, in preparation and such expected funding approval. Consequently, in May- July 2004, a process of profiling all of the municipal real estate property will be accomplished in order to allow for the better management and investment promotion. Structure of Smolyan Municipal Government Consisting of 86 villages grouped around eight neighborhoods, the City of Smolyan has an elected mayor and small office employing forty people in total. The Municipality of Smolyan employs 88 people in the City Hall, and 320 in total. Smolyan city council consists of 29 elected members. 10 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MAYOR Deputy-Mayor Deputy-Mayor Deputy-Mayor City Secretary Delegated External Audit Office DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE DIRECTORATE EU Legal and Finances, Economic Territorial and Construction & Administrative Humanitarian INTEGRATION Defense Budgeting and Development and Urban Planning Investment and Information and Social and International Mobilization accounting Municipal activities, Services Activities Activities operations operations Property Supervision & Ecology Budgeting Economic Construction Mayor’s Office and Human Development and Investment Department Resources and businesses Activities Department relation Department Department Financial and Municipal Construction CR & CS Accounting Property, Supervision & Department Operations privatization & Control Department concessions Department Department Logistical, Technical and Information Services Department 11 2003-2004 Municipal Budget (in BGN) Budgetary Revenues 2003 2004 Total Revenues 13,782,454 13,719,767 Own Revenues 4,448,084 4,734,740 Tax Revenues 1,017,582 998,740 Revenues from Selling Property 640,071 750,000 Other Own Revenues 2,790,431 2,986,000 Subsidies 9,334,370 8,985,027 Subsidies for Capital Improvement 757,293 252,000 Subsidies for Operation 8,577,077 8,733,027 Bulgarian Leva = BGN1.64 =$US1 Budgetary Expenditure 2003 2004 Total Expenditure 14,079,161 14,355,625 Operating Expenditure 12,129,880 13,233,200 Personal Expenditure 7,056,887 7,588,846 Goods & Services 5,072,993 5,115,828 Other operating expenditures - 528,526 Other Current Expenditure 205,000 Capital Improvement Program Expenditure 1,949,281 917,425 Bulgarian Leva = BGN1.64 =$US1 Structure of Expenditure FY 2003 Plan for FY 2004 By Activities Functions (Activities) Bulgarian Leva (lv) Bulgarian Leva (lv) Administration 2,780,440 19.7% 2,279,452 15.9% Education 6,087,813 43.2% 6,183,673 43.1% Health Care 619,565 4.4% 560,116 3.9% Social Services 886,222 6.3% 1,202,620 8.4% Housing, Communal Services 928,934 6.6% 1,078,830 7.5% Culture and Recreation 939,793 6.7% 1,079,224 7.5% Economic Activity and Services 1,763,454 12.5% 1,658,193 11.6% Others 72,940 0.5% 313,517 2.2% Total 14,079,161 100% 14,355,625 100% Bulgarian Leva = BGN1.64 =$US1 12 LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT The aim of the local economy assessment is to create an economic profile of the community that highlights the basis of its comparative advantages and disadvantages from both an internal and external perspective. Research is a key initial effort, next is sharing this information with stakeholders and working with them to identify critical issues for local economic development, so that they may influence the visioning process. Also important is the review of comparative information on the competitive position of neighboring communities and other regional, national or supranational competitors. Geographical Position Smolyan Municipality encompasses the town of Smolyan and 87 settlements, 48 of which are mayoralties. Smolyan is situated in southern Bulgaria in the central part of the Rhodopes. The Vacha River Valley divides the West Rhodopes in two parts: Batak-Dabrak and Perelik-Prespa. The Smolyan Hollow, in which the town of Smolyan is situated, is in the Perelik-Prespa part. The municipality covers 844 square kilometers and coniferous woods cover approximately 67 percent of the municipality. With a mountainous relief, the municipality lies between 800 and 2,191 meters above sea level, the highest point peak in the Rhodopes (Perelik). The climate is extremely mild, being cool in summer and soft in winter. The area is characterized by clean air, natural beauty and preserved fauna, factors considered to be important in the development of winter and summer tourism. The beautiful nature contrasts with many Brownfields left by restructuring of economy and relatively many unfinished family houses. Source: Smolyan Municipal Web site Demography There are eight local councils and 86 towns and villages in the municipality. In 2001, the municipality had a total population of 47,458 (23 115 men and 24,343 women). The natural rate of growth in population since 1993 has been negative. During 1997 and 1998, a 4 percent growth rate was observed. In 1994, Smolyan had a population of was 50,954. Between 1994 and 2001, Smolyan’s population decreased by 3,500 people (7%) as a result of negative natural growth and migration. An alarming factor is that while the active population and the population above active age keeps approximately the same level from 1992 to 1999, the group under active age for the same period has decreased from 11,870 to 8,205 citizens, i.e. a drop of 3,665 in children and youth group. The population of Smolyan is not only decreasing but also getting older. At the end of September 13 2001, almost 12,400 were employed with close to half being employed by private sector. The average level of unemployment in 2001 was 18 percent. Tourism The municipality boasts favorable climatic conditions, a variety of the plant and animal life, well preserved traditions, customs and architecture. Located ten kilometers from Smolyan, the renowned Pamporovo resort has an excellent hotel base, numerous holiday homes, ski facilities and associated attractions. Several cultural and historical sites exist in the municipality including the medieval castle of Agoushevi Konatsi. Other notable features include the feudal mansion of Alibeev Konak and the architectural and ethnographic reserves in the Shiroka Laka Dolno Raikovo district. In total there are six interesting tourist sites: Rozhen Mountain Meadows: As a Karst no-drainage hollow connecting the Perelik and Prespa parts of the Rhodopes, the area is historically associated with the uniting of the Rhodope Mountains into the Bulgarian state in 1912. This is a site of national significance as traditional place for families that lived on both sides of the previous border. For the last 100 years it has been the site of the national Rhozhen Folklore Festival that takes place every four years. The Village of Shiroka Laka: This is one of the best-preserved villages in the Central Rhodope area not only for the architecture significance of its houses but also for the small craft workshops. Shiroka Laka is also famous as the setting of the Masquarade Mummers’ games, held there the first weekend of March. Architectural monuments in the town of Smolyan Cheshitska mahala in Dolno Raikovo District, Smolyanq is a neighborhood that has preserved the architecture and spirit of the Bulgarian Revival period, with its lively stone and whitewashed Rhodope houses that host cozy pubs and commercial sites. The Lazlo Nagi Museum is associated with the great Hungarian poet who translated and published Rhodope folklore songs and legends into his native language. Over a hundred buildings in Smolyan have been classified as an architectural monument. The early Christian Basilica in the Mogilata area near Smolyan dates from the 4th Century and is an archaeological monument of national importance. Smolyan’s art gallery w as founded in 1964, and in 1983 it was moved to a specially designed building, where it has 1,000 square meters of exhibition area. The History Museum in Smolyan hosts a permanent exposition boasting more than 3,000 artifacts from the pre-historic to the contemporary period. Smolyan also features two tourist sites that present specific tourist opportunities. The National Astronomical Observatory “Rozhen” is the largest observatory on the Balkan Peninsula and the best planetarium in Bulgaria. Natural resources surround Smolyan and attract numerous tourists. The Lake area with its small housing facilities perched on the surrounding hills is a preferred site for picnics and weekend tourism to both residents and tourists. The rock formations west and north of the town form a spectacular ring and include hiking trails that lead to local tourist sites including the Orpheus rocks, the Maids Temple and Turlata. In the nearby Upper Arda River area tourists can visit the Uhlovitza Cave and the stone bridge called the Passage Cave. The Garga Trail allows tourists to enter the three wild caves, and provides a combination of boating and wading through an underground river. Also available is a ride on an alpine trolley, rock climbing and mountain bike trails. Education Ten local kindergartens exist of which six are combined with nurseries. There are four primary and three general education secondary schools. A foreign language secondary school and a mathematical secondary school also operate in the town. There are also six state technical schools and a vocational secondary school of applied arts. 14 The largest school in the Smolyan municipality is the First Secondary School “Sveti Kiril i Metodiy”. 1,040 pupils from the 1st to the 12th class are educated there in 44 divisions. The divisions of the primary course are profiled into fine arts, choreography, music and early foreign language learning. There are specialized classrooms for all of these subjects and two computer rooms. In the recent years the pupils of the Mathematical Secondary School “Vassil Levski” are educated in the following profiles: § Informatics, mathematics and English. § Informatics, mathematics and either English or German language. § Biology, chemistry and a either English or German language. Transport and Infrastructure Accessible only by road, Smolyan has a road network measuring 461 kilometers. Inter -settlement transport is undertaken by small sized buses and Smolyan is served by fifteen transport firms with eighty-six buses and numerous taxis. Though the town is supplied with water from twenty-two springs, water provided for drinking and domestic use is inadequate and there are no purification plants for wastewater in the municipality. The wastewater system covers only fifty percent of the city of Smolyan and in many settlements it does not exist at all. Telecommunication services, electricity and water supplies are generally good. Smolyan has a relatively well-developed social services system. The city boasts numerous cultural institutions, a good education system with two universities, a developed healthcare system with a regional hospital situated in Smolyan. Finance and Industry There are twelve branch offices of banks and more than ten insurance companies. Light industry is well developed, represented by textile, tailoring and dairying enterprises, and enterprises for the production of bread, breadstuffs and sweets. The majority of firms that operate in the wood production and woodworking industry are private. The mainstay of the municipality’s economy is “Gamakabel”, a private company that produces various kinds of cables and serves the national and international market. ZMM produces metalworking and woodworking machines and tools. Many building companies function in the municipality. These firms have the material, technical expertise and manpower to undertake various kinds of construction and installation work. Agriculture and Livestock Agricultural land accounts for approximately 25 percent of the municipality. The cultivable land is 106,000 hectares, including 21,000 hectares of cornfields, 59,000 hectares of meadows, and 11,000 hectares of commons and pastures. The agricultural lands are small-sized, scattered and far from the road network. Land suitable for cultiv ation is primarily situated on the mountain slopes and the river valleys. Potato production is the main branch of plant growing in the municipality. The municipality produces the Rhodope potato which is well known for its quality throughout the country. Unfortunately, there is no controlled market, which accounts for the reduction of the sown areas. Livestock is reared primarily by individual producers each possessing a few animals. There are several larger cattle and poultry farms on the municipality’s territory. Sales, Employment and Productivity Below there is a short picture of social cross-section of the community of Smolyan and employment data. So as to obtain a clear and true picture of local economy, the city established a partnership with the local statistics and local tax office to identify key trends and characteristics. As a result of that collaboration, the diagrams below were produced and show key characteristics of major economic activities that are undertaken in the municipality, including change in sales, employment and 15 productivity in major sectors of the local economy. These dynamic of changes can be observed over the last 3-4 years. There are also global data on Smolyan’s economy and data on communal infrastructure and services. SU - Sales by unit sizes SS - Sales by sectors (thousands of Leva) (thousands of Leva) 120000 100000 1999 90000 1999 2000 100000 2001 2000 2002 80000 2001 2002 70000 80000 60000 60000 50000 40000 40000 30000 20000 20000 10000 0 0 less 11 to 51 101 to above G S L SP LS S CU IN ES & TE AN ILD than 10 50 to100 250 250 OC RI E HO TR AD AG BU PR people TR FIG. 1 16 ES - Employment by EU - Employment by unit sectors size 4500 4000 4000 1999 3500 2000 2001 3500 1999 2002 3000 2000 2001 3000 2002 2500 2500 2000 2000 1500 1500 1000 1000 500 500 0 50 00 50 0 50 to1 ple e2 to o2 11 eo ov 51 1t 0p ab 10 AG SP TR G HO L BU SS LS PR & S CU IN n1 AN TE E ILD RI OC E ha AD st TR les FIG. 2 17 PH - productivity in SH - sales in EH - employment in hotels & restaurants hotels & restaurants hotels & restaurants 14000 1200 18,00 16,00 12000 1000 14,00 10000 800 12,00 8000 10,00 600 8,00 6000 400 6,00 4000 4,00 200 2000 2,00 0 0,00 0 98 99 00 01 02 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 98 99 00 01 02 19 19 20 20 20 19 19 20 20 20 STS - sales in trade ETS - employment PTS - productivity in and services trade & services 2500 120000 70,00 2000 60,00 100000 50,00 80000 1500 40,00 60000 1000 30,00 40000 20,00 500 20000 10,00 0 0 0,00 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 99 01 98 00 02 98 99 02 00 01 19 20 19 20 20 19 19 20 20 20 FIG. 3 18 EP - Emplyment in PP - productivity in SP - Sales in processing processing processing 60000 4000 18,00 50000 3500 16,00 3000 14,00 40000 2500 12,00 30000 10,00 2000 8,00 1500 20000 6,00 1000 4,00 10000 500 2,00 0 0 0,00 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 FIG. 4 Looking at the diagrams one can observe that during the four years from 1998 to 2002, sales by local business increased by nearly by 70 percent. In the same period, employment was decreasing from 1998 to 2001. 2002 was the first year when employment began to increase. These changes are related to a high increase in productivity. During the years 1998 to 2001, productivity in Smolyan increased by 100 percent and stabilized in 2002. Analyzing sales and employment by sectors major activities giving employment and sales are: trade and services and processing industry. Next group is formed by construction and transportation, but in construction huge decrease can be observed in 2002, when transportation is growing smoothly. The last group is comprised of agriculture, hotels and restaurants, where the tourism sector is the fastest growing one in the municipality. Diagrams of specific sectors show that progress has occurred in processing, where sales, employment and productivity increased permanently during the last five years. Large increases can be observed in hotel and restaurant activity, where sales in 2002 were nearly three times higher than in 1998. Productivity in this sector was not very high as these are mostly small family hotels. A remarkable drop is observed in construction in 2002. Looking at a breakdown of sales and employment by unit size one can see that highest position have small firms (below 10 employees) and about 70% of sales and employment belong to those which employ less than 50 people. In conclusion it is visible that a long term LED strategy in addition to tourism and agriculture, should also create the right conditions for the development of an environmental friendly processing industry and for SME development in general. 19 S - Sales in Smolyan E - Employment in (thousands of Leva) P - PRODUCTIVITY in Smolyan Smolyan 16000 300000 25.00 14000 250000 20.00 12000 200000 10000 15.00 8000 150000 10.00 6000 100000 4000 5.00 50000 2000 0 0 0.00 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 99 00 01 98 02 19 20 20 19 20 99 00 01 98 02 19 20 20 19 20 FIG. 5 20 Competitive Comparison of Data on Tourism Development with the Municipality of Bansko SMOLYAN BANSKO 1. Remoteness from the capital - 250 km from Sofia, 1. Low -developed economy – predominance according to the specific relief the average traveling of woodcutting, wood -processing and speed is lower - 40km/h compared to the normal furniture enterprises DISADVANTAGES average speed for II class roads - 60km/h, which 2. Municipality does not have the advantages significantly increases the traveling time of the big city - as infrastructure, car parks, 2. Not enough strong developed economy communications, and services 3. Lack of internal and foreign investments 3. More severe climate 4. Migration trend 4. Predominating ski -runs of higher difficulty 5. The town of Smolyan is not so popular as a tourist unsuitable for beginners center. 5. Not enough chair-lifts 6. Insufficient sport infrastructure 6. Lack of serious potential for development 7. Small number of marked pedestrian walks of alternative tourist elements (forms) 8. Lack of high category hotels: no 4/5 star hotels 7. 7. Water supply and sewerage problems 1. Preserved pure and beautiful environment 1. Proximity to the capital of Bulgaria - 160 2. Ecologically pure production - potato production, km from Sofia dairy and meat industry 2. The town of Bansko is popular in Bulgaria 3. High quality of life as a tourist center 4. Low crime rate 3. It offers many different and interesting 5. Emerging alternative tourism development cultural programs - there are 120 sites of ADVANTAGES 6. Proximity to the ski-resort Pamporovo cultural importance, lots of museums, 7. Rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as living artisan’s workshops and souvenir shops, 70 heritage – crafts, traditions, folklore taverns 8. Common border with the Republic of Greece 4. Spa resort, 6 km from Bansko - in the 9. The town of Smolyan is both a municipal and village of Dobrinishte, opened and covered regional center swimming pools with mineral water, 10. 10. Opportunities for construction of Sport Tourist availability of high category hotels - 4 stars Center “Perelik”, including several new ski-runs in hotels total length about 25 km, altitude of 800 m 5. The total length of the ski-runs is longer and with better service, offering wider choice of winter sports opportunities than those in Pamporovo Additional Data OTHER RELEVANT DATA SMOLYAN BANSKO Population 33,000 13,988 Unemployment rate 21.2% 13.84 % In productive age 61.5% 49.44 % Economically active 48.07 % SKI tourism infrastructure Cabin lifts None 6 km Chair lifts 16.7 km 10 km Bar -lifts 6 km 6 km Other tourism forms Emerging adventure tourism Environmental tours in Pirin National Park Rural tourism Rural tourism offer Cultural offer Rozhen folklore summit Annual Jazz Festival in Summer Youth Orpheus Celebrations Popular local cuisine Establ ished musical product 21 Summary of Comparison § Comparison with Bansko shows that using the image of Pamporovo Smolyan can still attract more tourists. There are natural conditions for improving of ski facilities what now makes limitations for further development of ski tourism. § Length of ski lifts in comparison with number of winter visitors is highly insufficient. § The unique Rhodope picturesque and clean environment as well as attractive climate in both winter and summer season and preserved original local Rhodope cuisine can also be treated as an asset in comparison with closer to Sofia better known Pirin Mountains region. § Next opportunity in relation to Bansko is given by an advantage that the city of Smolyan is bigger and can offer more services. It is not only the Pamporovo resort but also a living regional center. § Development of agro-tourism which is growing fast in Smolyan proves that visitors see the nature in the heart of Rhodopy as attractive and the sector has a potential to grow. Summary of O pinions Collected After collection and presentation of hard data some survey, meetings and conversations were held. Below is a summary of collected messages: The major message from hotel owners is that Smolyan is not yet a tourism center because it is n ot attractive enough (those who said it is a tourism center justified that with nature and clean air). Major problems: § Bad roads inside the municipality and difficult access (only by bus) § Not enough sport and recreation infrastructure and other opportunities for leisure and fun § Only one attraction: skiing, and a lack of trails for hiking (with signs) § Major desired public sector partner is the municipality of Smolyan. § Lack of support from the municipality side, city should organize: § Construction of open and closed swimming pool § Tennis courts § Hiking trails with signs suitable for individual tourists § Some ski lifts just in Smolyan (without necessity to move to Pamporovo) Business Opinion Survey Summary: About 25 firms have been interviewed; majority of them w as created after 1990. Major problems they declared were: § Not enough big local market, § Lack of capital § State bureaucracy. They have problems with different inspections which are not enough transparent. No clear criteria, subjective decisions. § Most of the firms declared small profit last year; some declared zero profit only one generated a big loss. § Most of them have no modern equipment, some of them bought some new in last year § Most of the firms are equipped with computers, has internet connection. § Most (22) firms sell products on local market, only 6 outside. § Many have declared problems with receiving credits, but 12 of them received it last year. § Most of them plan to improve quality of production and improve technology. § They haven’t had in 2001 serious problems with city utilities and transportation. Conclusions All the data and opinions collected and presented above as well as results of analysis of economical and competitive position of Municipality of Smolyan allows us to conclude the following: 1. Competitive position of the municipality of Smolyan has some important advantages as well as opportunities. Trends observed in the municipality in the last years prove an ongoing restructuring of local business and the continued growth of sales. A newly u pdated strategy can also have positive impact in the longer term giving needed synergy in efforts of both private and 22 public sector development. However, serious consideration should be given to improving tourism products and competitiveness to increase tourism sales as a share of municipal GDP. 2. The Municipality of Smolyan cannot successfully, in longer term, continue its development without at least some support from the state government (improving of access road, opening of the border with Greece and s upport for the Perelic project). It means that a key factor for Smolyan’s LED activity should be to develop a permanent lobbying effort at a central level in Sofia so as to encourage the necessary support in those areas outside the city’s responsibility but which are crucial for removing basic limitations for further growth in Smolyan. DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY Both the local economy assessment as well as the knowledge and experience of stakeholders and specialists are major inputs for proposing the strategy for a city. Preparing of the strategy means: § Creating a vision: a picture of the city in the future of 10, 15 or more years ahead § Developing goals: they show more clear directions for development § Developing objectives: they are to be specific enough to be measurable and the measures have to be established § Propose programs: they should be chosen to achieve as much as possible in reaching the objectives above The City of Smolyan LED team has successfully collected data and opinion but the stakeholder meeting to identify priorities attracted fewer people than expected. Consequently the city team prepared the updated strategy document on: § Former strategy document § Stakeholder feedback city received to the previous version § Collected present opinions of stakeholders § Surveys of business sector and hotel owners § Local economy assessment in the table above A number of goals was developed and proposed. The list was presented to the next meeting of internal LED team with representatives from hotel owners, the Chamber of Commerce and additional SMEs. The LED team has presented proposition of goals and objectives, and during the meeting, identified programs to fulfill goals. A summary of this meeting was developed by the municipal team and is outlined in the SWOT analysis. 23 SWOT ANALYSIS INTERNAL EXTERNAL Strengths Opportunities Ø Very nice landscape and climate for living Ø Smolyan and the Rhodopes are recognized in Ø Excellent natural environment and air quality Bulgaria as a good healthy location for both Ø Attractive local folklore, art, dancing etc living and visiting Ø Skiing facilities in Pamporovo Ø Prospects for development of hand craft Ø Family hotels and restaurants with excellent businesses unique local kitchen Ø Enlarging the ski resort in the direction of Ø Rhodopean food (agricultural produce of the Perelik mountain what should make the ski municipality is recognized as one of high season longer quality in Bulgarian domestic market Ø Possible development of other sports (in Ø Legal Framework requiring public revenues summer) in the region (e.g. hiking, extreme POSITIVE FACTORS from tourism to be spent only for tourism sports: rafting, caving, rock climbing) support activities Ø Better access to and from Greece, if transport Ø Consensus with tourism stakeholders on how infrastructure improved (more influx of tourists) to spend money for tourism, generated in the Ø New border post is an opportunity too Municipal Tourism fund. Ø Development of environmentally friendly forms eco- rural, recreation Ø Available educational infrastructure for Ø Establishment of Tourism Development consultative tourism, lacking up-to date educational committee to support municipal decision-making programs regarding tourism Ø Establishment of Business-orientation program, operated by N GO to provide information and advice to business on how to get access to EU funding resources. Ø Establish partnership between educational institutions and employers association for development of programs meeting the market demand for man power Weaknesses Threats Ø Poor regional transport infrastructure Ø Construction of road to Greece is postponed Ø Lack of infrastructure for sports and Ø Too short winter season (for skiing) entertainment Ø Poor sustainability of local business Ø Insufficient capital for businesses Ø Lack of experience of free market economy/ Ø Lack of knowledge and experience in entrepreneurial attitudes business activity Ø Lack of foreign and domestic investments (can Ø Difficulty for businesses in receiving bank the Perelic project attract an investor?) Ø A better competitive position of Bansko ski- NEGATIVE credits FACTORS Ø Stifling bureaucracy and tax level resort after its modernization in 2002-2003 Ø Insufficient promotion of the region to Ø Too many Brownfields causes that the city has tourists not a face of tourist center (can it attract more Ø Too many imported food products that could tourists?) be produced locally Ø Lack of knowledge in accessing EU funds Ø Lack of adequate skills of employees in tourism Ø Local firms sales are mostly on the local market 24 CITY OF SMOLYAN ‘VISION TO PROJECTS’ MATRIX Vision Goals Objectives Programs Projects Smolyan will G1: To improve the G1:O1: To raise the G1:O1:PG1: Road G1:O1:PG1: p1: Reconstruction of road Smolyan Mugla Village. become a living conditions in the quality and standards of Improvement Program G1:O1:PG1: p2: Construction of new road connection Ryaka Village – Katranitsa priority city for stopping the waste water networks and Identify, and prepare Village decrease of population road infrastructure for project briefs and G1:O1:PG1: p3: Construction of new road connection Kutela Village – Slaveino destination and for increasing better business and programming documents Village for tourists in tourist attractiveness of community development for, specific road G1:O1:PG1: p4: Construction of new road connection Cheplyat Village – Bukatsite the region and Smolyan municipality improvement projects Village a city with a G1:O1:PG1:p5: Reconstruction of new road connection New Center District – strongly Stankovo Surbubian- Levotchevo Village developed G1:O1:PG1:p6: Construction of additional section in the road Smilyan Village- private sector Sivino village G1:O1:PG1:p7: Construction of a new street “Snezhanka”, in Smolyan G1:O1:PG1:p8: Construction of new a new street Elitsa” in Smolyan G1:O1:PG1:p9: Construction of new a new street “Aleko Konstatinov” in Smolyan G1:O1:PG1:p10:Construction of a road section Stoikite village- Grashitsa village G1:O1:PG1:p11:Construction of local road connection Vievo Villages G1:O1:PG2: Waste Water G1:O1:PG2: p1: Construction of water supply system for Vievo village, main Improvement Program pipeline, extension II. Identify, and prepare G1:O1:PG2: p2: Construction of sewage water collector for Vievo Village project briefs and G1:O1:PG2: p3: Construction of water supply system for Ryaka Village programming documents G1:O1:PG2: p4: Construction of water supply system for Razvantsi area, P. for, specific waste water Serafimovo Village improvement projects G1:O1:PG2: p5: Sewa ge waters network for Elenska area, Tarun Village G1:O1:PG2: p6: Joint water supply system for Oreshets and Straja villages G1:O1:PG2: p7:Water supply extensions for Shiroka Laka Village G1:O1:PG2: p8: Waste water treatment facility construction for recreation asea Ardashlu, Pamporovo resort G1:O1:PG2: p9: Integrated project for improving water cycle management in Smolyan. 25 Vision Goals Objectives Programs Projects G1:O2: To revitalize G1:O2:PG1: Beautiful G1:O2:PG1: p1: Repair works on exterior and technical equipment of Water Cascades Smolyan’s urban centre Bulgaria Program- phase in New Center area of Smolyan and upgrade sites of IV G1:O2:PG1: p2: Reconstruction of open playground in the New Center area, Smolyan historical, architectural Identify, and prepare G1:O2:PG1: p3: Repair of stone clock tower in Smilyan and creation of recreation and cultural significance project briefs and area in its vicinity programming documents G1:O2:PG1: p4: Improvement of vertical spatial siting of Chinara recreation area for, specific urban and G1:O2:PG1: p5: Repair works of the historic memorial complex at Srednogorets physical revitalization Mount, Polkovnik Serafimovo Village projects G1:O2:PG1: p6: Reconstruction and hydro isolation placement of Lasl Nagi Museum House in Raikovo District G1:O2:PG1: p7: Facade and roof reconstruction of “St. Peter and Pavel” church in Levotchevo village G1:O2:PG1: p8: : Facade and roof reconstruction of “St Theodor Stratilat” church in Raikovo district, Smolyan G1:O2:PG1: p9: : Facade and roof reconstruction of “The Holy Mother” church in Ustovo district, Smolyan G1:O3: To raise the G1:O3:PG1: Education G1:O3:PG1: p1: Development of internship programs with Smolyan- based quality and availability of and Cultural Services universities meeting demand for human resources by public and private sectors. education and cultural Program G1:O3:PG1:p2: organize and carry out the biannual International Youth Folklore services for residents and Identify, and prepare Festival Orpheus celebrations” – 2005 &2007 visitors project briefs and G1:O3:PG1: p3: Interior modernization of Alibeev Konak architectural complex (of programming documents national value) and its establishment as a cultural and training center in folklore for, specific education and performance arts. cultural services projects G1:O3:PG1: p4: May Cultural Days in Smolyan - annually G1:O3:PG1: p5: Weak of live drawing arts in the open Smolyan 2004 G1:O3:PG1: p6:Mummers masquerade games in Shiroka Laka Village (annually) G1:O3:PG1: p7: Local communities’ summits G1:O4: Development of G1:O4: PG1: Improving G1:O4: PG1: p1: Create a municipal housing facility for disadvantaged people (single social infrastructure the municipal housing parents, disabled people, elderly people, etc.) policy G1:O4: PG2: Improving G1:O4: PG2:p1:Pilot project “Improving Energy Efficiency in public buildings- High the structure and the state School of Natural Sciences and Math- Smolyan” of material and technical G1:O4: PG2:p2: Youth Sports events calendar primary, secondary and high school base of educational students institutions in the municipality G2: To increase the G2:O1: To identify, and G2:O1:PG1: Smolyan G2:O1:PG1: p1: Identify target markets, and initiate and implement a “Visit Smolyan number of visitors exploit, recreation and Tourism Promotion and the Central Rhodopes “ – city and region marketing project (tourists) in the tourism opportunities to Program G2:O1:PG1:p2: Rozhen National Contest in Folklore performance arts. 26 Vision Goals Objectives Programs Projects municipality establish Smolyan as a G2:O1:PG1: p3: Initiate and implement a tourist information signposting initiative for preferred destination for better visitor guidance (hotels, sites, railway station etc.) visitors and tourists with G2:O1:PG1: p4: Strengthenin g TIOs network performance in Smolyan municipality supporting infrastructure G2:O1:PG1: p5: Promoting Smolyan as an astronomical destination in Bulgaria. G2:O1:PG2: “Northern G2:O1:PG2: p1: Cultural Exchange project “Days of Smolyan and Xanthi and Days of Greece” Tourism Program Xanthi in Smolyan” G2:O1:PG2: p2: Tourism opportunities in Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece and Rhodope Municipalities, Bulgaria G2:O1:PG3: “Rhodope G2:O1:PG3: p1: Restoration of the ethnographic Craft Street in Ustovo District, Crafts” Program Smolyan, implementation phase 1 and II G2:O1:PG3: p2: “Traditions and the past – an alternative for the future”, Mogilitsa village G2:O1:PG3: p3: Traditions for the future” for promoting cultural identity and hand weaving tradition in Smilyan Community G2:O1:PG3: p4: Artisan demonstration workshop establishment in Shiroka Laka village G2:O1:PG4: Sports and G2:O1:PG4: p1:Creation of sports, training and recreation center, based on Recreation Facility development of already existing infrastructure (old stadium, indoor swimming pool, Program multi-sports hall and accommodation faculty) G3: To support local G3:O1: To initiate with G3:O1:PG1: Small G3:O1:PG1: p1: Identify partners, and prepare project brief and programming firms to increase sales partner agencies, an Business Center document for the establishment of a Small Business Development Center to facilitate outside the municipality integrated business Development Program SME training and SME-local government relations support and service G3:O1:PG2: Demand- G3:O1:PG2: p2: Initiate and deliver a business training program (propriety business, delivery mechanism to driven SME Training administration, IT, accounting, management, and) facilitate local SME Program growth and development G3:O1:PG3: “Smolyan G3:O1:PG3: p1: Initiate and deliver a customized training and accreditation program and Rhodopean” Local for local producers including measures to develop local product sector and promote Producers Club Program local, direct trading, branding etc. G3:O1:PG4: SME G3:O1:PG4: p1: Prepare project brief, identify funding, and establish a modest Investment Fund Program investment fund to assist SME start-ups G3:O1:PG5: Local G3:O1:PG5: p1: Produce and distribute a Directory of Local Suppliers and Products Purchasing Initiative (LPI) G3:O1:PG5: p2: Produce and distribute a ‘Guide to Doing Business with the Council’ G3:O1:PG5: p3: Initiate an internal council and local business training program on LPIs G3:O1:PG6: “Northern G3:O1:PG6: p1: Initiate and implement a cross- border trading project to establish Greece” Trading Program economic ties and partnerships between Smolyan and Xanti (Greece) G3:O1:PG6: p2: Produce and distribute a ‘Guide to Doing Business with Greece’; identify Chambers of Commerce and potential partnering opportunities for SME development and trade 27 Vision Goals Objectives Programs Projects G4: To support local G4:O1: To develop a G4:O1:PG1: Local G4:O1:PG1: p1: Undertake an entrepreneurship promotion campaign in the local firms to improve comprehensive ‘red tape’ Business Enabling media by holding monthly meetings with local media on the progress of LED action efficiency and enhance reduction program for Environment Program planning, business enabling environment announcements etc. Smolyan’s capacity to business development in G4:O1:PG1: p2: Initiate measures to improve municipal legislation and services deliver effective and city hall through a full review of business regulations and requirements sustainable LED G4:O2: To enable the G4:O2:PG1: Business G4:O2:PG1: p1: Identify sectoral and regional linkages for possible sector-specific development of dynamic Association Development business associations and transparent business Program G4:O2:PG1: p2: Provide training and support facilities to the business association associations development program G5: To put in place the G5:O1: To develop G5:O1:PG1: Investment G5:O1:PG1: p1: Brown field revitalization project necessary programs to appropriately targeted and Attraction and Retention G5:O1:PG1: p2: Establish a directory of public and municipal properties, and retain existing, and supported marketing and Program industrial sites attract new, investment promotion mechanisms to attract and retain foreign G5:O1:PG1: p3: Construction of Sports and Tourism Center “Perelik and domestic investment G5:O1:PG1: p4: Preparation of a strategy for restitution, re- grouping and management in Smolyan of municipal forests. G5:O1:PG1: p5: Construction of secondary forest road Oreshets village - Golyam Dab- Razpatya G5:O1:PG1: p6: Construction of secondary forest road Shiroka laka – Kukuvitsa G5:O1:PG1: p6: Preparing a profiles of all municipal real estate property G6: To put in place the G6:O1: To institutionalise G6:O1:PG1: Public- G6:O1:PG1: p1: Initiate and deliver an ongoing training program in LED principles necessary management an active and collaborative Private Stakeholder and partnership working for local government staff and stakeholder partnership board systems and procedures stakeholder advisory Partnership Development G6:O1:PG1: p2: Initiate and deliver an ongoing training prog ram for local government to ensure timely and group for LED strategy Program staff in project development and management skills (finance and governance) effective delivery of development and G6:O1:PG1: p3: Initiate an EU-accession working group to identify and learn about agreed LED programs implementation EU funding opportunities and criteria and other EU related community development and projects programs G6:O2: To initiate a LED G6:O2:PG1: LED G6:O2:PG1: p1: Initiate a LED M&E training program strategy review and Monitoring and G6:O2:PG1: p2: Establish M&E project leaders responsible for individual project implementation process to Evaluation (M&E) monitoring and review ensure the coordination of Program G6:O2:PG1: p3: Identify, establish and maintain a LED database system for the institutional efforts in purpose of annual reporting and analysis support of the LED strategy G6:O3: To review G6:O3:PG1: Financial G6:O3:PG1: p1: Initiate and deliver a training program for local government staff in existing, and develop new, Planning and Management financial management techniques systems for long term Program G6:O3:PG1: p2: Initiate and deliver a training program for local government staff in financial management and long term financial planning and investment planning investment planning for sustainable LED 28 CITY OF SMOLYAN PROJECTS MATRIX management systems and procedures to programs to retain existing, and attract G1: To improve the living conditions in attractiveness of Smolyan municipality G2: To increase the number of visitors G4: To support local firms to improve G3: To support local firms to increase ensure timely and effective delivery of population and for increasing tourist agreed LED programs and projects the city for stopping the decrease of efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s G5: To put in place the necessary G6: To put in place the necessary capacity to deliver effective and sales outside the municipality (tourists) in the municipality Strategy Goals sustainable LED new, investment LED Projects* G1:O1:PG1: p2: Construction of new road connection Ryaka Village – Katranitsa Village ? ? G1:O1:PG1: p3: Construction of new road connection Kutela Village – Slaveino Village ? ? G1:O1:PG1: p4: Construction of new road connection Cheplyat Village – Bukatsite Village ? ? G1:O1:PG1:p5: Reconstruction of road connection New Center Distric – Stankovo ? ? Surbubian- Levotc hevo Village G1:O1:PG1:p6: Construction of additional section in the road Smilyan Village - Sivino ? ? village G1:O1:PG1:p10: Construction of a road section Stoikite village - Grashitsa village ? ? G1:O1:PG1:p11: Construction of local road connection Vievo Villages ? ? G1:O1:PG1: p1: Reconstruction of road Smolyan Mugla Village. ? ? G1:O1:PG1:p7: Construction of a new street “Snezhanka”, in Smolyan ? G1:O1:PG1:p 8: Construction of new a new street Elitsa” in Smolyan ? G1:O1:PG1:p9: Construction of new a new street “Aleko Konstatinov” in Smolyan ? G1:O1:PG2: p1: Construction of water supply system for Vievo village, main pipeline, extension II. ? G1:O1:PG2: p2: Construction of sewage water collector for Vievo Village ? G1:O1:PG2: p3: Construction of water supply system for Ryaka Village ? G1:O1:PG2: p4: Construction of water supply system for Razvantsi area, P. Serafimovo Village ? G1:O1:PG2: p5: Sewage waters network for Elenska area, Tarun Village ? G1:O1:PG2: p6: Joint water supply system for Oreshets and Straja villages ? G1:O1:PG2: p7: Water supply extensions for ? Shiroka Laka Village G1:O1:PG2: p8: Waste water treatment ? facility construction for recreation area 29 management systems and procedures to programs to retain existing, and attract G1: To improve the living conditions in attractiveness of Smolyan municipality G4: To support local firms to improve G3: To support local firms to incr ease G2: To increase the number of visitors ensure timely and effective delivery of population and for increasing tourist agreed LED programs and projects the city for stopping the decrease of efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s G5: To put in place the necessary G6: To put in place the necessary capacity to deliver effective and sales outside the municipality (tourists) in the municipality Strategy Goals sustainable LED new, investment LED Projects* Ardashlu, Pamporovo resort G1:O1:PG2: p9: Integrated project for ? improving water cycle management in Smolyan. G1:O2:PG1: p1: Repair works on exterior and technical equipment of Water Cascades in New Center area of Smolyan ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p2: Reconstruction of open playground in the New Center area, Smolyan ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p3: Repai r of stone clock tower in Smolyan and creation of recreation area in its vicinity ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p4: Improvement of vertical spatial siting of Chinara recreation area ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p5: Repair works of the historic memorial complex at Srednogorets Mount, Polkovnik Serafimovo Village ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p6: Reconstruction and hydro isolation placement of Lasl Nagi Museum House in Raikovo District ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p7: Facade and roof reconstruction of “St. Peter and Pavel” church in Levotchevo village ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p8: Facade and roof reconstruction of “St Theodor Stratilat” church in Raikovo district, Smolyan ? ? G1:O2:PG1: p9: Facade and roof reconstruction of “The Holy Mother” church in Ustovo district, Smolyan ? ? G1:O3:PG1: p1: Development of internship programs with Smolyan-based universities meeting demand for human resources by public and private sectors. ? ? G1:O3:PG1:p2: organize and carry out the biannual International Youth Folklore Festival Orpheus celebrations” – 2005 &2007 ? ? G1:O3:PG1: p3: Interior modernization of Alibeev Konak architectural complex (of national value) and its establishment as a cultural and training center in folklore performance arts. ? ? G1:O3:PG1: p4: May Cultural Days in Smolyan - annually ? ? 30 management systems and procedures to programs to retain existing, and attract G1: To improve the living conditions in attractiveness of Smolyan municipality G4: To support local firms to improve G3: To support local firms to incr ease G2: To increase the number of visitors ensure timely and effective delivery of population and for increasing tourist agreed LED programs and projects the city for stopping the decrease of efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s G5: To put in place the necessary G6: To put in place the necessary capacity to deliver effective and sales outside the municipality (tourists) in the municipality Strategy Goals sustainable LED new, investment LED Projects* G1:O3:PG1: p5: Week of live drawing arts in ? ? G1:O3:PG1: p6: Mummers masquerade games in Shiroka Laka Village (annually) ? ? G1:O3:PG1: p7: Local communities’ summits ? G1:O4: PG1: p1: Create a municipal housing facility for disadvantaged people (single ? parents, disabled people, elderly people, etc.) G1:O4: PG2:p1: Pilot project “Improving Energy Efficiency in public buildings- High School of Natural Sciences and Math- Smolyan” ? G2:O1:PG1: p1: Identify target markets, and initiate and implement a “Visit Smolyan and ? the Central Rhodopes” – city and region marketing project G2:O1:PG1:p2: Rozhen National Contest in Folklore performance arts. ? G2:O1:PG1: p3: Initiate and implement a tourist information signposting initiative for better visitor guidance (hotels, sites, railway station etc.) ? G2:O1: PG1:p4: Youth Sports events calendar primary, secondary and high school students X G2:O1:PG1: p5: Strengthening TIO s network performance in Smolyan municipality ? G2:O1:PG1: p6: Promoting Smolyan as an astronomical destination in Bulgaria X ? G2:O1:PG2: p1: Cultural Exchange project “Days of Smolyan and Xanthi and Days of Xanthi in Smolyan” ? G2:O1:PG2: p2: Tourism opportunities in Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece and Rhodope Municipalities, Bulgaria ? G2:O1:PG3: p1: Restoration of the ethnographic Craft Street in Ustovo District, Smolyan, implementation phase 1 and II X ? G2:O1:PG3: p2: “Traditions and the past – an alternative for the future”, Mogilitsa village X ? G2:O1:PG3: p3: Traditions for the future” for promoting cultural identity and hand weaving tradition in Smilyan Community X ? 31 management systems and procedures to programs to retain existing, and attract G1: To improve the living conditions in attractiveness of Smolyan municipality G4: To support local firms to improve G3: To support local firms to incr ease G2: To increase the number of visitors ensure timely and effective delivery of population and for increasing tourist agreed LED programs and projects the city for stopping the decrease of efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s G5: To put in place the necessary G6: To put in place the necessary capacity to deliver effective and sales outside the municipality (tourists) in the municipality Strategy Goals sustainable LED new, investment LED Projects* G2:O1:PG3: p4: Artisan demonstration X ? workshop establis hment in Shiroka Laka village G2:O1:PG4: p1: Creation of sports, training and recreation center, based on development of already existing infrastructure (old stadium, ? X indoor swimming pool, multi-sports hall and accommodation faculty) G3:O1:PG1: p1: Ident ify partners, and prepare project brief and programming document for the establishment of a Small Business Development Center to facilitate SME training ? ? and SME-local government relations G3:O1:PG2: p23: Initiate and deliver a business training program (propriety business, administration, IT, accounting, management, ? ? and) G3:O1:PG3: p1: Initiate and deliver a customized training and accreditation program for local producers including measures to ? ? develop local product sector and promote local, direct trading, branding etc. G3:O1:PG4: p1: Prepare project brief, identify funding, and establish a modest investment ? fund to assist SME start-ups G3:O1:PG5: p1: Produce and distribute a Directory of Local Suppliers and Products ? ? G3:O1:PG5: p2: Produce and distribute a ‘Guide to Doing Business with the Council’ ? X G3:O1:PG5: p3: Initiate an internal council and local business training program on LPIs ? X G3:O1:PG6: p1: Initiate and implement a cross -border trading project to establish economic ties and partnerships between ? X Smolyan and Xanti (Greece) G3:O1:PG6: p2: Produce and distribute a ‘Guide to Doing Business with Greece’; identify Chambers of Commerce and potential ? X partnering opportunities for SME development and trade G4:O1:PG1: p1: Undertake an entrepreneurship promotion campaign in the local media by holding monthly meetings with local media on the progress of LED action ? 32 management systems and procedures to programs to retain existing, and attract G1: To improve the living conditions in attractiveness of Smolyan municipality G4: To support local firms to improve G3: To support local firms to incr ease G2: To increase the number of visitors ensure timely and effective delivery of population and for increasing tourist agreed LED programs and projects the city for stopping the decrease of efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s G5: To put in place the necessary G6: To put in place the necessary capacity to deliver effective and sales outside the municipality (tourists) in the municipality Strategy Goals sustainable LED new, investment LED Projects* planning, business enabling environment announcements etc. G4:O1:PG1: p2: Initiate measures to improve municipal legislation and services through a full review of business regulations and X ? requirements G4:O2:PG1: p1: Identify sectoral and regional linkages for possible sector-specific business X ? associations G4:O2:PG1: p2: Provide training and support facilities to the business association X ? development program G5:O1:PG1: p1: Identify and survey vacant and underused public and municipal X ? properties, and industrial sites G5:O1:PG1: p2: Establish a directory of public and municipal properties, and industrial X ? sites G5:O1:PG1: p3: Initiate project brief and programming document to bring selected commercial sites back into to use through ? remediation and servicing (including Perelic project) G5:O1:PG1: p4: Preparation of a strategy for X X restitution, re-grouping and management of ? municipal forests. G5:O1:PG1: p5: Construction of secondary forest road Oreshets village, Golyam Dab- X ? Razpatya G5:O1:PG1: p6: Construction of secondary X ? forest road Shiroka laka – Kukuvitsa G5:O1:PG1: p6: Preparing a profiles of all ? municipal real estate property G6:O1:PG1: p1: Initiate and deliver an ongoing training program in LED principles and partnership working for local government ? staff and stakeholder partnership board G6:O1:PG1: p2: Initiate and deliver an ongoing training program for local government staff in project development and ? management skills (finance and governance) G6:O1:PG1: p3: Initiate an EU-accession working group to identify and learn about EU funding opportunities and criteria and other ? 33 program planning LED Projects* monitoring and review management techniques Strategy Goals term financial planning and investment G6:O2:PG1: p3: Identify, establish and maintain a LED database system for the purpose of annual reporting and analysis G6:O2:PG1: p2: Establish M&E project leaders responsible for individual project program for local government staff in long G6:O3:PG1: p2: Initiate and deliver a training G6:O3:PG1: p1: Initiate and deliver a training G6:O2:PG1: p1: Initiate a LED M&E training EU related comm unity development programs program for local government staff in financial G1: To improve the living conditions in the city for stopping the decrease of population and for increasing tourist attractiveness of Smolyan municipality 34 G2: To increase the number of visitors (tourists) in the municipality G3: To support local firms to incr ease sales outside the municipality G4: To support local firms to improve efficiency and enhance Smolyan’s capacity to deliver effective and sustainable LED G5: To put in place the necessary programs to retain existing, and attract new, investment G6: To put in place the necessary management systems and procedures to ? ? ? ? ? ensure timely and effective delivery of agreed LED programs and projects CITY OF SMOLYAN LED PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN City of Smolyan LED Projects Funding Sources (%) State or International City Government Private Sector & Duration Total Project Community Targeted Group / Donors No. Project Title Value Implementing Partners Starting Funds Beneficiaries in BGN Date 1 G1:O2:PG1: p3 Septe Unemployed and Reconstruction of the stone clock 19 440 50% 50% 50% - Ministry of Labor June 2004 mber tourists tower in Smilyan village 2004 2 G1:O4: PG2:p1 Improving Energy Efficiency in School’s Parent -Teacher public sector - High School of 18 High school, city 231 000 100% - 100% - Committee June 2004 Natural Sciences and Maths- months budget, community School Management Raikovo District, Smolyan 3 G2:O1:PG1: p4: Strengthening TIOs Tourists Info Centers, 12 TIOs, tourists, network performance in Smolyan 9 800 66% 33% 33% 33% June 2004 Association of Hotel owners months community municipality 4 G1:O1:PG2: p4: Construction of Local communities, water Septe water supply system for Razvantsi 183 040 80% 20% 70% 10% supply & sewerage system May 2005 mber Serafimovo community area, P. Serafimovo Village fund 2006 5 pre- not yet G5:O1:PG1: p3: Construction of 68 060 feasibility Hotel owners, tourists 93% 7% 14% 79% Central Government define Sports and Tourism Center “Perelik 000 study and all the community d done 6 G2:O1:PG3: p2: “Traditions and the Decem Craftsmen, Mogilitsa April Craftsmen, community, past – an alternative for the future”, 16 400 70% 30% 70% - ber community 2004 tourists Mogilitsa village 2004 7 G6:O2:PG1: p1. Initiate a LED 5 City of Smolyan M&E training procedure 3 000 - 100% - - Cities of Change Program July 2004 months Administration 35 City of Smolyan LED Projects Funding Sources (%) State or International City Government Private Sector & Duration Total Project Community Targeted Group / Donors Funds No. Project Title Value Implementing Partners Starting Beneficiaries in BGN Date 8 G1:O2:PG1: p6 Septe Unemployed, History Reconstruction and hydro isolation 29 368 50% 50% 50% - Ministry of Labor June 2004 mber Museum, Raikovo placement of Lazl Nagi Museum 2004 community House in Raikovo District, Smolyan 9 G1:O3:PG1p3: Smolyan Municipality Local community, Interior modernization of Alibeev High School of Shiroka tourists, High School of Konak architectural complex (of Laka Village 24 625 650 98% 2% 70% 30% June 2004 Folklore Performance national value) and its establishment Smoly an History Museum months Arts in Shiroka Laka as a cultural and training center in IT companies village folklore performance arts. Construction companies 10. Maritsa Iztok Mining Plc, G1:O1:PG2: p8 Construction of a VIP -97 Ltd., Ivalko- Ltd., Waste water treatment facility Border Police Directorate – /WWTF/ and sewage collectors for 1 578 Smolyan, Melinvest 24 Tourists and Hotel 98 % 2% - 98% June 2004 recreation area ARDASHLU and 158 Privatization Fund, Multi- months Owners PAMPOROVO winter resort profile Hospital – Smolyan, Pamporovo. 11 “Brown field revitalization project” 155 000 90% 10 % - 90 % Business community and May 2004 April Private sector and owners 2007 community 12 Unemployed people Middle management level staff of local G3:O1: PG2. p2 Partner NGO, Businesses, September Septe SMEs Establishment of Business Training - Regional Employment 2004 mber Officials from LG in and Qualification Center in Smolyan 291 000 80% 20% 80% Office 2006 Smolyan region and Central so uth of Bulgaria 36 STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION Now when the strategy consisting of vision, goals, objectives, programs and desirable outputs and outcomes is drafted and some projects are defined - the major challenge is to create a mechanism and tools for implementation. First step is to developed projects relevant to desirable objectives, outputs and outcomes of programs. For each of the projects detailed action plan and budget has to be prepared by the person who is nominated as a project leader (coordinator). When the projects are prepared they should pass approval face. This face should be included in the city financial planning and budgetary process. The structure from the vision to programs and projects presented in the tables above includes projects which are in different stages of development. Some of them are presented only as an ideas of action when others present fully developed projects. Some of them are just now under implementation and can be finished in a year. For all those projects before they are finally approved further details are or will be presented in a unified form shown in the fiche below. Projects has to be identified, responsible persons will be nominated and detailed description, action plans and financing scheme will be developed. Program and project implementation methods and processes are to be put in place as an obligatory procedure. LED Strategy Implementation Tools Once when the desired set of projects for implementation of the LED strategy has been developed in Smolyan and all the ongoing and new invented projects has been presented in the form above. The city began to work out tolls for implementation. Multiyear Financial Plan Each municipality in Bulgaria as everywhere is obliged by law to develop and present one year budget but efficient and reasonable planning of strategy implementation requires much longer perspective then one year budgeting. In spite of many uncertainties mayor of the city took a decision to establish new rules for long term planning. As a first step the city has developed according to a new national level regulation a very preliminary three years prognosis of revenues of the municipality of Smolyan. Next the Financial Department developed three year forecasts of operating expenditures. Results of this prognosis are presented in the table Fig. 6. Major output (the most important numbers) for implementation of the LED strategy is an operational surplus. It shows how much resources year by year can be used from the municipal budget or capital improvement program and for supporting other development project. 37 Prognosis of Budgetary Revenues and Expenditures for the City of Smolyan (2005-2007) 1 USD = 1.64 PLN Execution Plan Prognosis Fiscal year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 REVENUES (in thousands of BGN) 13,782 13,720 14,353 15,078 15,759 OWN REVENUES 4,448 4,735 5,098 5,546 5,941 TAXES 1,018 999 1,250 1,340 1,420 Other own revenues 3,431 3,736 3,848 4,206 4,521 Subsidies 9,334 8,985 9,255 9,532 9,818 Delegated tasks 9,272 8,762 9,025 9,295 9,574 Municipal tasks 63 223 230 237 244 OPERATING EXPENDITURES 12,130 13,233 13,534 14,272 14,950 STATE DELEGATED TASKS 8,513 8,868 9,134 9,408 9,690 Administration 851 968 997 1,027 1,058 Education 5,621 5,571 5,739 5,911 6,088 Social services 828 1,115 1,149 1,183 1,219 Culture and Recreation 543 560 576 594 611 Others 670 654 673 694 714 MUNICIPAL TASKS 3,616 4,365 4,400 4,864 5,260 Administration 451 746 753 753 753 Education 441 506 518 530 542 Housing, communal services 745 913 907 937 999 Culture and Recreation 359 493 498 512 526 Economic Activity 1,479 1,623 1,635 2,040 2,345 Others 141 85 89 92 95 OPERATING SURPLUS 1,653 487 819 806 809 CIP expenditure 1,949 917 775 790 810 Multiyear Investment Planning Procedure The next important task of the Implementation Phase was to develop a ranking list of prepared projects to compare their budgetary requirements with municipal budget capabilities to finance and support them. The process is quite complex as some projects can be co-financed by external sources. The final plan shows the set of projects with a timescale and their budgets coordinated with a multiyear financial plan and a forecast of external financing. The municipality of Smolyan develop ed a Multiyear Investment Planning procedure that will help to develop the above plans. The procedure can be supported by public domain software called WPR 2.1 developed in Poland under Local Government Partnership Program funded by USAID now available in English language version. When the new updated strategy document is approved the mayor is to cerate a MIP commission consisting of head of city hall departments and units, some representatives of City Council commissions, some representatives of stakeholders (not more than 10 people). The major tasks of the MIP commission is to advice to the mayor in following issues: § Proposal of criteria based mostly on the city strategy; § Methodology of projects evaluation and selection; § Proposal of a content of project application forms; § Step by step description of the process; § Procedure of workflow with calendar and responsibilities; and, § Review of project application and propose a ranking list of projects to be included in next year’s city budgets. 38 The MIP commission will be chaired by relevant deputy mayor. The MIP coordinator is responsible for preparing all the draft materials that are to be discussed by the MIP commission and for developing them further according to the MIP commission guidelines. All the eligible parties (also city units and departments) when proposing some investment projects to be financed out of the city budget will be obliged to do this according to the new procedure. Any project that does not fulfill the requirements of the MIP procedure cannot be placed in the city budget or in the Multiyear Investment Plan. The first stage of project development is completing up the fiches above. In order to place the project in the Multiyear Investment Plan further data has to collected and pres ented. For unifying the application of presenting those data forms A and B (Figure 7 and 8) has been developed. Next in the Figure 9, a foreseen calendar is presented. It shows the timescale in which the city is going every year (after evaluation of progress and taking into account new data) to update the plan and coordinate it with required by law one-year budgeting process. Next tool that is presented in figure 10 is a proposition of Criteria with their Weights and Points. It is common that always there is more project ideas than the city budget can afford, than it is necessary to have a toll for sorting out projects and develop a ranking list taking into account priorities of the strategy as well as external financing possibility. The list presented in Figure 10 is to be discussed and finally criteria for sorting out the projects should be approved by the council together with the strategy document. Of course the ranking list as an automatic result of the scoring system used by the professionals cannot replace final budgetary discussion and final decision, but it is to give possibly the most unbiased input for this discussion. 39 FORM A 1 Project ID 2 Name of project 3 Who propose it 4 Goals to be achieved 4.1 Outcomes (results seen from long time perspective) 4.2 Outputs (immediate results) 4.3 Advantages, when the projects is implemented 1. Economic (including impact on the city budget) 2. Social (including - how many citiz ens will benefit) 3. Environmental 4. Others 5 Type of project (construction, renovation, buying equipment) 6 Social support and participation 7 Scope of work (parameters, numbers, standards) 8 Place of construction 9 Duration (in months) 10 How Far the Project is Developed 1. Functional and spatial concept YES NO 2. Feasibility study YES NO 3. Technical design YES NO 4. Environmental impact assessment YES NO 5. Construction permit issued YES NO 6. Accessibility of land YES NO 7. Under construction YES NO 80% done 50% done 30% done 11 Total Cost Estimation 12 Financing of the Project Total Bulgarian Public European Year City Budget Others Expenditures Resources Funds 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 13 Remarks FIG. 7 40 FORM B Estimate 1 How far the Project is Developed Spend Needed Duration Deadline Resources Resources 1. Functional and spatial concept YES NO 2. Feasibility study YES NO 3. Technical design YES NO 4. Environmental impact assessment YES NO 5. Construction permit issued YES NO 6. Accessibility of land YES NO 7. Construction phase YES NO 2 Scope of work (parameters, numbers, standards) 3 Financing of the project Bulgarian Total City European Credits and Years Public Others Expenditures Budget Funds Loans Resources 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 4 Base for cost calculation Estimation Cost of similar projects Unit cost Cost calculation 5 Level of guarantee of external financing Proposition Some initial agreement Financing confirmed 41 CALENDAR of DEVELOPING and UPDATING MULTIYEAR INVESTMENT PROGRAM MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER WHO TAKES the ACTION 19 20 21 22 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 ACTION 1 Updated manual issuing MIP commission MIP commission 2 MIP criteria are approved by the mayor +mayor Informing of all parties 3 about updated MIP MIP coordinator procedures and deadlines Eligible parties deliver 4 project applicat ions on Author of the project Form A Units of city administration Departments and city 5 fill up Forms B according units to the manual Review of the projects and 6 MIP commission evaluation against criteria MIP commission + 7 Developing of a ranking mayor list of projects Merging of the list above Investment Dept + 8 with MFP, assuring the Finance Director affordability Developing of an initial MIP commission and 9 MIP project with a plan for Finance Director financing of a deficit Mayor, MIP 10 Public debate on the commission, PR developed MIP version section MIP approval by the City Mayor and the City 11 Council Council 43 Proposed Criteria, their Weights and Points for scoring system leading to develop a ranking list of projects for being placed in Multiyear Investment Plan of Smolyan Weights Strategic Local Proposition of criteria for MIP project choice Points projects projects % % 30 1 The project implements strategic goal a The project implement very well at least 2 strategic goals 1 b The project implement very well 1 strategic goals 0,5 c The project implements well at least 2 strategic goals 0,5 d The project implements well 1 strategic goals 0,2 15 15 2 The ongoing project to be finish soon a 80% done 1 b 50-80% done 0,5 c 30-50% done 0,2 30 30 3 Level of external grant financing (preferential credits may be added) a Above 60% 1 b 40 - 59% 0,5 c 20 - 39% 0,2 15 4 Number of inhabitants who benefit a All local community citizens 1 b More than 50% 0,5 c Between 20 and 50% 0,2 10 5 Impact on the city budget a A positive impact can be calculated and is remarkable 1 b Project is expected to give some saving or revenues 0,5 c No positive influence 0 30 6 Public support and participation Local community participate in expenditures a Above 25% 1 b Between 10 and 24% 0,5 c Nothing 0 15 10 7 Positive influence on other projects a Very important for other high priority projects 1 b Support other projects 0,5 c No influence 0 44 MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION Implementing the strategy requires tools for monitoring of progress. The Smolyan team has developed a simple system that is planned to be officially approved and implement from 2004 when the strategy update takes place. For the strategy, the Department of Investment and Tourism is to propose for each of goals and objectives (programs) at least one outcome measure. The proposition can be presented in a form of a table like below: Goal or Name of Definition of S ource of Data Initial Value Current Value Program Indicator Indicator It is recom mended to propose more indicators and make the final choice after having discussions with politicians. It is also important to make these choices in agreement with the political opposition as these measures should be applied for long periods to keep comparability. When there is an agreement of the choice it is necessary to define indicators precisely and charge a unit (or a person) responsible for collecting needed data as well as measure the initial value of the indicator. The following steps are suggested: Step 1. Choosing of the indicators that characterize in best way what we would like to achieve as a long-term impact. For each of indicator a timetable is proposed. Step 2. Defining of data needed for calculation of indicators and establishing of responsibility for collecting them. Step 3. Collection of initial data as a base. Step 4. Collecting data in required intervals. Step 5. Analyzing of results, evaluation of progress and suggestion how it should influence further implementation or even updatin g of the strategy. For each of projects an output measures has to be defined It is responsibility of a unit or person who proposes the projects to define output indicators for the projects. The indicators should reflect the most important factors which a llow an evaluation of whether the project successfully implements the strategy as well as whether its management is efficient enough. Each of Projects should have defined set of output measures. In addition to indicators for evaluation some milestones for purpose of monitoring has to be established. Milestones are usually defined when some characteristic stages are finished on which it is easy to check whether the project is on time and within planed costs. Definition of an indicator is a responsibility of the proposer but it has to be approved by relevant deputy mayor. Proposition of milestones as well as responsibility for the monitoring should be placed in a city unit or a city hall department that supervises the project implementation phase. For monitoring of progress a table like below can be used. 45 Project Name: Milestone Planned Done or Not Planed Money Comments Forecast and Stage Expenditures Spent Planned Interventions Final Evaluation of set of Projects: Project Planed Done Planned Total Money Comments Value Value Value of Scope of scope of Expenditures Spent in of ind of ind. indn work work Total Project indicator examples: § Relation of planed scope of work to the one which was done § Relation of money spend to those which was planed § Unit cost (when can be compared which other similar projects) § Satisfaction level measured by survey of users opinion Strategy Review In each year until the end of June, the Investment and Tourism Department has to develop outcome measures report for the strategy for the preceding yearly period and present the report to the mayor. The report has to include the definitions of indicators, historical values from previous years and current values of them. The Department presents also analysis and conclusions. The report should be input for a strategy review the mayor lead before issuing guidelines for the next year planning. Project Monitoring Every year after updating of the Multiyear Investment Program and approval of the city budget all units and departments which supervise projects has to deliver monitoring and evaluation plan for each of the projects to the MIP coordinator. The plan consists of tables like above filled out with data and calendar of actions that are to be taken during the year to monitor progress and measure indicator values. 46 CITY OF SMOLYAN – EXAMPLES OF LED PROJECT ACTION PLANS Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program: G1:O1:PG2: p8 Construction of a Waste water G1:O1:PG2 : : Improving environmental management treatment facility and sewage collector for the through modernization of existing and construction of recreation area ARDASH LU and PAMPOROVO extensions of the water supply and sewage waters system winter resort Brief Description of the Project: The objective of the project is to reduce environmental pollution from wastewater through the construction of a wastewater treatment facility and leading sewage collectors for purification of wastewaters produced by hotels and catering facilities in the recreation area ARDASHLA and Pamporovo ski resort. Activities will include the construction of: Leading collector 1 of total length 1,051m, Ø 300 mm Leading collector 1a of total length 135m, Ø 300 mm Leading collector 2 of total length 297m, Ø 300 mm Leading collector 3 of total length 1,607m., Ø 300 mm A wastewater treatment facility ARDASHLU with a capacity for purification of 180 cubic meters of sewage waters, or hourly capacity of 7.5 cubic meters. Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Secure collection and removal of wastewater from The approximately 11,500 annual tourists that benefit existing and projected hotel, catering, recreation and from recreation and tourism opportunities in the target housing facilities in the areas stated above and their area of the project. purification. Businesses, including hotels, catering and housing Reduction of pollution and the restoration of facilities that make use of the wastewater facilities. biodiversity in Golyama River where the treated waters will be disposed of. Improving the overall tourist attractiveness of ARDASHLU recreation area Participants in the Project: Maritsa Iztok Mining Plc, VIP-97 Ltd., Ivalko- Ltd., Border Police Directorate – Smolyan, Melinvest Privatization Fund, Institute in Orchards and Food Processing – Plovdiv, Multi-profile Hospital – Smolyan, Pamporovo Holding group, Elina Plc, Markoni Ltd, Zeus Travel Investment ltd., Mortimor Plc, Pamporovo Travel Group. Success Assumptions: Risks: Full project designs developed New priority set of the potential funding institution Budget provisions for real estate buy off of land the SEFEMA facilities will be located on Application procedure for grant funding in process State Enterprise for Environmental Management Activities /SEFEMA/ Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 1,578,158 BGN 20,000 BGN SEFEMA 1,558,158 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: 2004 July 2006 To: July 2006 Prepared by: Name: Y. Vladimirov Position: Senior Expert, Construction, Supervision and Environmental Department, Smolyan Municipality 47 Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program: G5:O1:PG1: p1 “Brown field revitalization project” G5:O1:PG1: Investment Attraction and Retention Program Brief Description of the Project: The aim of this project is to prepare a full inventory of municipal Brownfield sites and revitalize them through finding new designations for them and investors to revitalize them. Activities: Make a full inventory of municipal Brownfield sites owned by the municipality Make an assessment of their value and possible new designation according to location and social importance. Prepare investment profiles of Brownfield sites and promote them as a development opportunity for businesses. Contracting revitalization activities for at least ten Brownfield sites from 2004 to 2007 Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: A portfolio of Brownfield sites with potential for Private businesses revitalization NGOs Businesses interested in Brownfields redevelopment Individual Entrepreneurs 10 Brownfield sites redeveloped by 2007 Participants in the Project: Smolyan Municipality Experts from the Municipal Property Department External investment experts Entrepreneurs Success Assumptions: Risks: Commitment of local administration Insufficient interest in brownfield sites for which their Interest of entrepreneurs and businesses in redeveloping will be a requirement to preserve their social function brownfield sites Existing good practices in Bulgaria Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 155,000 BGN 15,500 BGN Businesses 139,500 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: May 2004 April 2007 To: April 2007 Prepared by: Name: R. Halvadjieva Position: Head of Municipal property Department Institution/organization: Smolyan Municipality 48 Project Title: G3:O1: PG2. p2 Relevance to Strategy Program Establishment of Business Training and Qualification G3:O1: PG2: Initiate and deliver a business training Center in Smolyan progr am in propriety businesses, administration, accounting, management, marketing Brief Description of the Project: The goal of the project is to establish a Business Training and Qualification Center (BTQC) in Smolyan to deliver orientation, qualification and management training to local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the public administration. Activities: Identify funding sources to implement reconstruction and modernization activities of the building to host the BTQC Identify a partner NGO to operate jointly the BTQC with the Municipality Implement modernization activities as well as training equipment for the BTQC Survey labor market demand and develop relevant training programs according to findings of the survey Start first series of training course Permanent operation of the BTQC Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Modernized premises of the future BTQC by May Unemployed people with higher education irrelevant to 2006 local labor demand Secure a partner NGO to contribute to the provision and Middle management level staff of local SMEs training program development according to local SME Officials from local governments in Smolyan region and demand Central south of Bulgaria 4 completed and delivered training courses by September 2006 The sustainable operation of the BTQC Participants in the Project: Smolyan Municipality, Partner NGO, Businesses, Regional Employment Office Success Assumptions: Risks: Funding identified for modernization works on Unsecured funding for equipment of the premises premises Identified NGO involved in project development activities and accredited for delivery of business training Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 29, 000 BGN 58,200 BGN SIF: 77,600 BGN MEER: 52,800 BGN UNF: 48,500 BGN FLGR: 48,500 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: September 2004 September 2006 To: September 2006 Prepared by: Name: I. Godev Position: Head of Tourism and Investment Department Institution/organization: Smolyan Municipality 49 Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program: G1:O2:PG1: p3 G1:O2:PG1 “Beautiful Bulgaria Program (BPP) Phase Reconstruction of the stone clock tower in Smilyan IV” Village Brief Description of the Project: The stone clock tower in Smilyan was built in the 17the Century and from the beginning of the 20th Century has been used as a military guard facility by the authorities. Since the first decade of the 20 th Century, when a clock mechanism was installed, the tower has been utilized for civic purpo ses. It is the only stone-built clock tower in the municipality and its depiction is a part of the local community’s heraldic sign. Project objective: To implement renovation works on the Clock Tower and improve the overall attractiveness of the site by turning it into a recreation area. Project activities include: Repair of the tower’s façade and the wooden framing and copper roof Install a new wooden staircase inside the tower to allow access to the clock mechanism Improve the vertical and horizontal p lanning of the site, install wooden benches and shades Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Improving the qualification of 7 jobless people 9 un employed persons from the local community, 7 of Opening 9 temporary jobs, each of 3 months duration whom will improve their chances on labor market by Improving the tourist attractiveness of the village undergoing professional qualification course in construction works Local population Participants in the Project: Project Beneficiaries: Smolyan Municipality Local population Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Tourists, visiting Smilyan and Smolyan municipality in UNDP general Success Assumptions: Risks: Experience of Smolyan Municipality in the previous Lack of unemployed people from the local community phases of BBP, in partnership with MLSP and UNDP with the appropriate preliminary qualification to be Appointed official in local administration who deals employed for project’s activities implementation with BBP projects Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 19,440 BGN 9,720 BGN BBP: 9,720 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: June 2004 September 30th , 2004 To: September 2004 Prepared by: Name: Rosetta Buikova Position: Chief Expert, Coordinator BBP Institut ion/organization: Smolyan Municipality, ASPE Directorate 50 Project Title : Relevance to Strategy Program : G1:O4: PG2: p1 : G1: O4: P2 : Improving the state of the material and Improving Energy Efficiency in the public sector High technical base of educational institutions in Smolyan School of Natural Sciences and Maths, Raikovo District, Municipality Smolyan Brief Description of the Project: Improving energy efficiency in the High School of Natural Sciences and Maths Raikovo District, Smolyan, to reduce public spending in the long run. The school is one of the oldest high schools in the municipality and is listed in the top thirty elite high school institutions in the country. The “new” wing was constructed in 1971 using technologies incompatible with energy efficiency strategies and unfamiliar for the public sector in that period. Activities include: Development of full project designs Installation of thermo-isolation and replacement of the existing window and doorframes. Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Improved ability to heat the school effectively and cost 581 students efficiently 48 teachers Reduction in expenditures by 25% compared to present levels 11 other staff of heating expenses. Participants in the Project: School Parent -Teacher Committee School Management Businesses as potential sub-contractors Success Assumptions: Risks: Experience of the Teacher-Parent Committee, the School Change in priorities of the donor program management and Smolyan Municipality in implementation of joint projects Effected procedure for development of full project design Identified sub-contractors with capacity to implement the project works Identified donor program and approved project idea at first evaluation phase. Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: - External Funding: 231,000 BGN European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: 75% Ministry of Energy and Energy Resources: 25% Project Duration: Implementation Deadline: From: 2004 2005 To: 2005 Prepared by: Name: ????????? ???????? Position: ??.??????? “???????????” Institution/organization: ? ?? ??? ? ? ? ? ? ? 51 Project Title : Relevance to Strategy Program : G1:O3:PG1p3:Interior modernization of Alibeev Konak G1:O3:PG1: Education and Cultural Services architectural complex (of national value) and its Program establishment as a cultural and training center in folklore performance arts Brief Description of the Project: Project Goals: § To Enhance the tourist product of the municipality by investments in cultural heritage § To improve the quality of cultural tourism offer of Smolyan municipality by establishment of new products and extending the access to existing cultural sites (Smolyan History Museum) to disabled people § To promote the cultural tourism offer of the municipality by development of internet and multi-media based promotion campaign Project activities include: Preparation of technical designs, full renovation of the interior of the national cultural architectural monument “Alibeev Konak”, District of Gorno Raikovo, Smolyan, as well as adjustment of its premises for tourist accommodation and for the needs of training into traditional Rhodope folklore performance arts (folklore singing, dancing and playing musical instruments), as well as a demonstration center of traditional Rhodope cuisine. Improvement of related public infrastructure and reconstruction of the street leading to Alibeev Konak, including sidewalks and street lightning Adjusting the permanent display of Smolyan’s History Museum for access for disabled people by purchasing and installing special platforms and technical devices to allow such access Assessment of existing cultural resources related to traditional community summits ( s abori), to Rhodope folklore performance arts and traditional Rhodope cuisine, and their organization into new cultural tourism products Promotion of the cultural available in Smolyan municipality, including new products developed by means of printed materials, Internet promotion, promotional tours and participation in national and international tourist exchanges Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Creation of new jobs: § 76 people employed for project implementation, § 73 jobs in construction and renovation activities, with equaling to 3,214 workdays duration between 2 and 6 months. § Bulgarian and foreign tourists § 3 permanent jobs, 1 full-time, 2 part-time § Bulgarian and foreign intermediaries on tourist § Employment of external experts for product market development 5 § The High School of Folklore Performance Arts in § Improvement of quality of life standards for citizens Shiroka Laka village § Improved attractiveness of the residence area in Gorno § Smolyan History Museum Raikovo District, reconstructed Shipka street, where an § Local tourists; people from local communities estimate of 1000 people live § Local tourism-related businesses and IT companies § Access for disabled people to Permanent exposition of Smolyan History museum § Local ownership of project knowledge products Creation of multi-language promotional tool kit to be use by all stakeholders in tourism: § Circulation of 2000 copies of “Temptations of Rhodope Cuisine” brochure in four languages § Circulation of 12000 copies of promotional leaflets presenting the cultural offer of the region. § Creation of a web -site, allowing on -going utilization of promotional activities § Creation of multi-media CD-ROM in circulation of 1000 copies. Participants in the Project: Smolyan Municipality High School of Folklore performing Arts in Shiroka Laka Village Smolyan History Museum IT companies Construction companies 52 Success Assumptions: Risks: Availability of full designs for project works External funding still to be secured Identified potential sub-contractors for supplies and Drastic change in tourist demand services Experts in restoration works in available locally Advanced negotiations with relevant central government agencies for securing external funding Approval from the National Institute of Cultural Monuments passed. Project Budget: Total : 625,650 BGN Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 11,562 BGN (1.5%) 614,050 BGN Pre-accession instruments 70%, Private funding 30% Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: 2004 September 2006 To: 2006 Prepared by: Name: Ilia Godev, Tanya Mareva and Maria Luincheva Position: Head of Tourism Department Position: Director of President Institution: Smolyan Municipality, Smolyan History Museum, Luincheva Designs Ltd 53 Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program : G1:O2:PG1: p6 : G1:O2:PG1: “Beautiful Bulgaria Program (BPP) Reconstruction and hydro isolation placement of Lazl Nagi Phase IV” Museum House in Raikovo District, Smolyan Brief Description of the Project: The building of the present Lazlo Nagi Museum was built 120 years ago in the typical Bulgarian Revival style for Central Rhodope region, and was inhabited by a craftsman’s family. The building is one of the municipal sites declared an architectural monument of national value. The project objective is to improve the overall condition of the building by outside repair, placement of hydro-isolation and hydro-drainage of surface waters to prevent further damages in the construction. Project activities include: Repair of roof construction and bath facility in the building Refreshment of white-wash of facades and interior Hydro –drainage and hydro-isolation placement Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Professional training of 10 persons to acquire 13 people to be employed for construction work on the qualification needed for reconstruction works Smolyan History Museum Opening 13 job places for duration of 3 months Improving the tourist attractiveness of the location, where the building is situated Dolno Raikovo district Preserving the variety of tourist sites within the town of Smolyan Participants in the Project: Project Beneficiaries: Ministry Of Labour And Social Policy History Museum –Smolyan, proprietor of the Lazlo UNDP Nagi museum Smolyan Municipality The people employed for construction works implementation The community in Dolno Raikovo district and tourist visiting Smolyan Success Assumptions: Risks: Experience of Smolyan Municipality in the previous Delay in coordination procedures with the National phases of BBP, in partnership with MLSP and UNDP. institute of Cultural Monuments Appointed official in local administration who deals with BB projects Project Budget: Total : Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 29,368 ??. 14,839 ??. MLSP, UNDP: 14,839 ??. Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From June 2004 September 30th, 2004 To: Sept 2004 Prepared by: Name: Rosetta Buikova Position: Chief expert, Coordinator BBP Institution/organization: Smolyan Municipality, ASPE Directorate 54 Project Title : Relevance to Strategy Program : G6:O2:PG1: p1 : Initiate an LED M&E G6:O2:PG1 : LED Monitoring and Evaluation Program training procedure Brief Description of the Project: Goal of the project: Build capacity within the local administration and stakeholders’ group to perform the annual monitoring and evaluation of LED implementation, as well as to institutionalize its management. Activities: Appoint an LED M&E Coordinator from management level in the Municipality Establish an M&E Committee with local government experts and stakeholders Develop appropriate training programs and train members of the M&E Committee in the application of LED M&E procedures and tools Carry out monitoring and evaluation of LED implementation from July to November each year in order M&E reports be used for next fiscal year planning Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: tion of LED management by Institutionaliza Local government officials establishing M&E Committee Stakeholders Board Improve long-term financial and capital investment planning through training in and application of M&E procedures Annual M&E reports each November Improved public-private partnership Participants in the Project: Local government officials, Stakeholders Board Success Assumptions: Risks: Political support for M&E on LED Change in national regulation reducing LG competencies in Support of stakeholders planning for development Experience of Smolyan municipality on implementation of citizen participation models Project Budget: Total: 1,500 Euro Municipal Contributions: External Funding: - 1,500 Euro Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: July 2004 November 2007 To: November 2007 Prepared by: Name: D. Shupeva Position: EU Integration expert Institution/organization: Smolyan Municipality 55 Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program : G5:O1:PG1: p3 : Construction of Sports and Tourism Improvement in sport/recreation infrastructure Center “Perelik” G5: Attraction of new investments G2: Increasing the number of visitors (tourists) in the municipality (long term impact) Brief Description of the Project: The project requires multiannual investments, and includes the following activities: Construction of 8 networks of ski-tracks with total horizontal length 29,775 meters, Construction of servitude areas at a total area of 500 hectares, non-monolithic catering establishments with a capacity of 1,550 people. Detached spaces for emergency accommodation with a capacity of 200 people, -line with a total length of 25,000 meters, Ski lifts and rope Transportation infrastructure: parking places, connecting road, ski-grounds, sanitary facilities Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Formation of 100 new places of work Construction of ski- tracks with total horizontal length 29,775 Tourists in the municipality meters. Available additional services infrastructure to provide servicing 1,550 people daily Citizens of Municipality of Smolyan Construction of ski lifts and rope-line with a total length of 25,000 meters. Construction of parking places, ski- grounds. Sports clubs and federations Improved competitiveness of Smolyan compared with other winter sports centers in Bulgaria Hotel and restaurant owners Smolyan Municipality Participants in the Project : Municipal Contribution/Financial and in-kind: Municipality of Smolyan 2,500,000 USD Stockholders and owners of terrains Strategic investors Success Assumptions: Risks: Presence of suitable terrain and long winter Suspension of the financing The experiences of the Municipality of Smolyan at the construction of sport and tourist infrastructure Approved environmental assessment of project’s impact Approved Spatial planning for the site. Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 68,060,000 BGN 4,100,000 BGN 6,390,000 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: It is necessary a presence of complete investment and Not yet confirmed technical project for the determination of the project duration Prepared by: Name: Position: Institution/organization: 56 Project Title: Relevance to Strategy Program: G2:O1:PG3: p2: 2002-2006 Traditions and the past: An alternative for the Future, G2:O1:PG3: Rhodope Crafts Program Mogilitsa village Brief Description of the Project: The goal of this project is development of a demonstration center to promote crafts-related tradition of the local community among both the community’s members and tourists, visiting the area. Objective of the projects: • To preserve local cultural heritage by creating conditions for continuity among generations trough training of young people in practicing traditional Rhodope crafts • To establish demonstration workshops to operate as tourist attraction sites in order to fill in the gap by restitution of the major site (Agushevi Konatsi) as primary site, visited by tourists visiting Upper Arda River area • To open a souvenir shop selling crafts product produced by local craftsmen • To promote the tourism opportunity and local community’s tradition at national and international level Activities: • Survey on crafts tradition in the area • Development of training programs and conduct of training of local young people in crafts skills • Preparation and publication of promotional materials and installation of information boards for tourists • Establishment of a demonstration crafts center and souvenir shop for sale of crafts product Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Database creation on characteristics of local crafts 18 presently practicing local craftsmen and newly trained Developed map of crafts in Upper Arda River area young people that will enrich their knowledge of Developed training materials, purchased craft traditional Rhodope crafts and their artistic characteristics equipment and conducted training of local young 11 hotel owners include in the product improvement people in Rhodope crafts skills (woodcarving, program metalwork and traditional weaving) Local Tourism Council Established and operating Crafts Demonstration Mogilitsa Mayor including improved income Center with craftsmen workshops adjusted for tourist opportunities for community members visits in Mogilitsa Village, and operational retail outlet for sale of craft products Improved information infrastructure through installation of tourist info and guiding signs for the village and the area Participants in the Project: 18 local craftsmen Local private businesses including eleven hotel owners in the area of Mogilitsa Local Tourism Council in Mogilitsa Success Assumptions: Risks: Continuity of tourism development policy carried by Lack of interest in project participation of some local Smolyan Municipality stakeholders Experience of LTC-Mogilitsa in Tourism development projects Established track record of cooperation between Smolyan Municipality and LTC (Mogilitsa) Approved and secured external funding Availability of craft tradition in the project site Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 1,640,397 BGN 4934,97 BGN 1,1469,00 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: April 2004 December 2004 To: December 2004 Prepared by: Name: M. Chochev Position: Chair of MB of LTC (Mogilitsa) Institution/organization: Local Tourism Council (Mogilitsa) 57 Project Title : Relevance to Strategy Program: G1:O1:PG2: p4 : Construction of water supply system G1:O1:PG2 : Wastewater Improvement Program for Razvantsi area, P. Serafimovo Village Identify and prepare project briefs and programming documents for specific wastewater improvement projects Brief Description of the Project: The project includes the construction of a water tank, basin, cistern, reservoir and water conduit to ensure the extra supply of water to the population of the village of Serafimovo. The overlying water quantity from the new reservoir joins to the existing reservoir on a lower elevation. The length of the water-conduit: 1,956 meters, reservoir 15 square meters, 16 pumping-shaft Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: It should ensure a normal water supply for the The population of the village of Serafimovo, population of drinking water, and should also minimize neighborhood Razvantzi: 219 inhabitants the maintenance and repair expenses associated with the w ater supply and sewerage system. Improvement of anti-fire protection and improvement of the drinking water quality Participants in the Project: Municipal Contribution/Financial and in-kind: Smolyan Municipality Department of Construction, Investment control Constructional Control and Eco logy Constructional control The population of village of Serafimovo and the neighborhood Razvantzi (219 inhabitants) Water Supply & Sewerage system Smolyan Social Investment Fund Success Assumptions: Risks: Strong social impact and the creation of a functional If it becomes impossible to ensure the necessary infrastructure. It is a crucial factor for a normal life financial resources. and development of the village Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding: 183,044 BGN 36,700 BGN 146,344 BGN Project Duration: Completion Deadline: From: May 2005 September 2006 To: September 2006 Prepared by: Name: Y. Vladimirov Position: Chief Expert Water supply and Sewage system Construction Institution/organization: Construction, Supervision of Works and Ecology Department, Smolyan Municipality 58 Project Title : Relevance to Strategy Program: G2:O1:PG1: p4 : Strengthening TIOs network G2:O1:PG1 : Smolyan Tourism Promotion Program performance in Smolyan municipality Duration : 12 months beginning June 2004 Brief Description of the Project: The project has three objectives, for the achievement of which specific activities are planned: § The first objective of the project is the publication of a informational guide for the region containing information on tourist destinations as well as tourist accommodations and amenities. The guide, to be published twice a year, is the first of its kind in the region. The guide will be distributed by the four tourist information centers (Smolyan, Mogilitsa, Momchilovtsi, Shiroka Luka), and Smolyan Hoteliers and Restaurateurs Association, and will be made available at the Smolyan Regional Library, Historical Museum and Planetarium § The second objective is to purchase special display equipment for the organization and display of the guide and other tourist-related information § The third objective of the project is to better collect and manage tourist related information through the purchase of computer equipment for the Smolyan Municipal Tourist Information Center. The duration of the project is expected to last approximately one year Expected Outcome/Results: Target Groups: Publication of two issues of Smolyan Tour Info Guide, TIOs in Smolyan each in circulation of 2,000 copies Tourism Stakeholders Improved display of tourist related materials Smolyan local administration Setting and operation of a more efficient and effective Public tourist sites in the municipality collection, management Dissemination of the tourist information Participants in the Project : Smolyan Municipality, Smolyan Municipal Tourist Information Center, Shiroka Luka Tourist Information Center, Mogilitsa Tourist Information Center, Momchilovtsi Information Center, Smolyan Hoteliers and Restaurateurs Association, Rhodopi Regional Tourism Association. Success Assumptions : Risks : Experience of the partners in preparing promotional There is always the risk that the guide will be ill-received materials at local and regional level (Regional tourist or information in the guide will be inadequate for tourists, Association, Hotel and Restaurateurs Association, thus failing to increase tourism in the r egion. Municipal Tourism Department) Good partnership history of the parties listed above Project Budget: Total: Municipal Contributions: External Funding : Total cost of the project amount 3,290 BGN 531 BGN to: 9,787 BGN (USD$ 6,132) Project Duration: Implementation Deadline : From: June 2004 May 2005 To: May 2005 Prepared by: Adam Bramm Position: PC Volunteer/Internship in T&I Dept. Institution/organization: Smolyan Municipal 59 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) CITY OF REZEKNE STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOP MENT 2004-2010 Rezekne September, 2004 60 Disclaimer This strategy has been written by the City of Rezekne Municipal Team with advice and guidance from the World Bank Group and the Bertelsmann Foundation. The World Bank Group and Bertelsmann Foundation do not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of this strategy; they do however congratulate the Municipal Team for the quality of this work. 61 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) INTRODUCTION Located in the southeast part of Latvia, the city of Rezekne is centrally situated in the rural Latgalia region in close proximity to the region’s ports and main cities. Rezekne lies within the main Warsaw- St. Petersburg-Riga-Moscow motorway corridor. During the 1980s and 1990s, the majority of Rezekne’s factories operated in traditional industries and these experienced increasing competition from international competitors as a result of changes in the world economy. Throughout the 1990s, a number of Rezekne’s major companies were forced to close resulting in soaring unemployment and growing social problems. During this time, Rezekne faced a number of serious challenges: § The collapse of traditional industries and markets, particularly those industries that produced for the large Soviet Union market § Social integration of a multinational community § Redevelopment of a poor technical infrastructure § The strengthening of local government institutions responsible for the local community During this period, city representatives sought to establish international contacts to share experience with other cities that had faced similar problems. In 1999, Rezekne joined a network of central European cities established as part of the Cities of Change program initiated by the World Bank and the Bertelsmann Foundation. Rezekne, together with a number of other cities, participated in the Economic Development Cluster. A primary aim of the cluster was to develop a local economic development strategy to strengthen LED institutional capacity within the city administration. The program methodology was based on a five stage approach to LED strategic planning that included: § Organizing the Effort § Conducting the Local Economy Assessment § Developing the LED Strategy § Strategy Implementation § Strategy Review: Developing a monitoring and evaluation system Towards the end of 2000, Rezekne City Council adopted appropriate institutional structures to develop a local economic development strategy. A cross-departmental working group was established to support the strategy output process, and comprised of municipal members and local experts. In addition, the Latgale Entrepreneurship Supporting Center became a partner. Work on Rezekne’s local economy assessment commenced in February 2001. In July 2001, a draft LED strategy was confirmed and conveyed for public discussion and comment to the residents of Rezekne, state bodies and to municipal institutions. In December 2001, Rezekne City Council approved the final document of the local economic development strategy. The LED strategy document covers the period 2004-2010. The city of Rezekne aims to implement a new approach to LED strategic planning and to initiate new collaborative activities between the municipality, entrepreneurs and residents. The municipality will become a leader in developing partnerships and programs for social integration, and will represent citizen interests, initiate economic growth and improve the city’s technical and social infrastructure. As part of its broad approach to LED activity, the city of Rezekne prepared a number of strategy implementation applications for several different projects. Two LED project applications were approved as part of the European Unions’ PHARE program, and the Rezekne Business Center and Education Business Linkages programs received nearly two million Euros. These projects consist of 62 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) hard and soft infrastructure components and establish a background for further development of LED services in the city. It was recognized that the number and cost implications LED projects were too high to prepare and implement in the short time period, and it was accepted that integrated multi-year financial and investment planning would be necessary. On the basis of the report written for the local economy assessment, the system of annual reporting was implemented. The city council approved the creation of a new Department for Economic Strategic Planning. The tasks of the new department include the: § Coordination of other departments when dealing with LED strategy implementation § Collection of all applications concerning strategy implementation projects § Balancing of financial and implementation requirements § Administering the database concerning the city itself and the strategy related projects § Cooperation with entrepreneurs, other organizations and citizens while implementing the strategy The city of Rezekne’s Economic Development Department was transferred into an independent economic development agency: the Rezekne Business Center. The Center has already started providing services to the business community and is preparing new applications for new development projects. The updated City Development Strategy was approved by the city council in the 2003. The current strategy implementation plan identifies projects that should be implemented in four years period. LED Institutional Set-up By the end of 2000, the Rezekne city council had agreed to embark on the process of LED strategic planning. In developing a strategy in partnership with the local community, three LED teams were established. At the beginning of 2001, Rezekne’s mayor established an internal cross-departmental LED Working Group with representatives from various municipal departments including: § Urban Planning Department § Economic Department § City Marketing Unit § Finance Department § Social Services Department § City Utilities An LED Steering Committee was also established to discuss, oversee and approve the draft LED strategy document. The Steering Committee consisted of politicians and technical professionals including: § Mayor of Rezekne § Two members of Rezekne City Council § Director of the Economic Department § Leader of the Economic Department at Rezekne University § Leader of the cross-departmental working group § A representative of Rezekne Special Economic Zone A Stakeholders Group was identified and invited to participate in the strategy development process. The Stakeholders Group consisted of: § City council leaders § City council members § County administration representatives § Representatives of utility companies § Rezekne university representatives 63 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) § Key private sector companies § Non-governmental organizations § Local media representatives The Latgale Entrepreneurship Supporting Center, a local non-governmental organization, was contracted by the city to conduct the loc al economy assessment and develop a draft strategy proposal. A Cities of Change project coordinator was later nominated as a leader of the working group teams. Work on the LED strategy commenced in February 2001, and by July 2001, a first draft of the LED strategy was confirmed and conveyed for public discussion to Rezekne’s inhabitants, business community, the Latgale Regional Development Agency, the state revenue office, the environment protection office, municipal institutions, water supply enterprise, city council departments and the Rezekne Institution for Higher Education. During this period, the interdepartmental team worked permanently with experts from the enterprise center to provide professional support for the LED strategy making process. Several meetings involving stakeholders were held to discuss the key elements of LED strategy including: § Findings from statistical analysis and surveys § SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) results § The city’s LED vision § LED strategic objectives, goals and programs § Draft strategy document When the local economy assessment was completed, the stakeholders debated the vision of the city. At the end of the debate, all participants accepted the final version of the city vision. When the Latgale Entrepreneurship Supporting Center specialists presented the results of the SWOT analysis, stakeholders discussed and accepted four key areas identified by members of the interdepartmental team. The stakeholders agreed four strategic goals and two detailed objectives for each of them. This was followed by the preparation of proposals of LED programs and projects dealing with each objective. In December 2001, the city council approved the final draft document of the city of Rezekne LED strategy proposed by Steering Committee. Structure of Municipal Government Rezekne’s municipal government has a number of statutory responsibilities that include spatial planning and land, public assets management, issuing of building permits, personal and business registration, primary education, health and social care, culture and recreation services, economic development, maintenance of local roads, housing, solid waste collection, heating supply, water delivery and waste water collection. The city council consists of eleven elected members. The city mayor and chairman of the city council is elected by the elected councilors. The mayor is also the leader of city hall. One part-time vice- chairman and one non-employed vice chairman on national minor ities and integration have been elected by the city council for this period. The chief of the city administration is the executive director, appointed by the mayor. Eight departments are responsible for delivering the main activities of the city’s administration. The two municipal agencies of the Rezekne Business Center and the Sport’s Center are operated separately and independently (refer to the city of Rezekne municipal structure) . 64 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Municipal Budget In analyzing the city’s annual budgets for 2003 and 2004, it is important to note a number of key points: § In 2003, two European Union PHARE Program projects totaling 1.8 millions Latvian lats contributed to the municipal budget § The total revenue of Rezekne City Council in 2004 is estimated as being 8.4 millions lats § 2004 own source revenues total 4.6 millions lats, a rise of 475,000 lats (11.7%) from 2003 § Municipal shares in citizens personal incomes tax (PIT) has been planned at 4.2 million lats, 488,700 lats (13%) more than last year § Non-revenue income is estimated at 520,000 lats § 2004 subsidies from national government is estimated at 2,628,298 lats, a rise of 214,883 lats from 2003 § A transfer from the Equalization Fund of Local Authorities has not been planned and Rezekne is not nominated as a donor for this fund in 2004 Municipal Budget Overview (2003-2004) (1 Lat = €1.512; USD$1.79) Budgetary Revenues 2003 2004 Total Revenues 9,350,601 8,366,177 Own Revenues 4,728,482 5,351,358 Tax Revenues 4,076,465 4,551,445 Revenues from Selling Property 41,882 275,313 Other Own Revenues 610,135 524,600 Subsidies 4,622,119 3,014,819 Subsidies for Capital Improvement 1,372,252 38,800 Subsidies for Operation 3,249,867 2,976,019 Budgetary Expenditure 2003 2004 Total Expenditure 9,279,252 8,950,501 Operating Expenditure 6,756,094 7,502,723 Personal Expenditure 4,164,811 4,706,697 Goods & Services 2,521,872 2,711,177 Other operating expenditures 69,411 84,849 Other Current Expenditure 408,509 561,089 Capital Expenditure 2,114,649 886,689 Structure of Expenditure 2003 Plan for FY 2004 by Activities Functions (Activities) LVL LVL Administration 758,566 8.2% 959,406 10.7% Education 4,172,850 44.9% 4,620,066 51.6% Health Care 61,739 0.7% 62,247 0.7% Social Services 922,102 9.9% 1,070,201 12.0% Communal Services 899,596 9.7% 1,105,705 12.3% Culture and Recreation 622,957 6.7% 901,990 10.1% Economic Activity and Services 1,837,276 19.8% 126,136 1.4% Others 4,166 0.1% 104,750 1.2% Total 9,279,252 100% 8,950,501 100% 65 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) City of Rezekne Municipal Structure Mayor Constant Committees City Commissions Vice Mayor Vice Mayor of National Minorities Custody Court and Society Integration Issues Executive Director Municipal Police Rezekne Department Financial City City Planning Management Culture Education Registry Department Rezekne Immovable Business of Health Dee Department Communal and Building Department of Center Department Office of Social Municipal Property Center Care Department Office Work Care Sports Agency Department Rezekne Payment Heating Construction Secretariat Accounting City Culture Gymnasium Pensioners Housing Hospital Center Company Board House Six Secondary Schools Social Care Company Commerce School Center Polish Elementary Rezekne Communal Law Procurement Latgalian School Night Health Services Department Culture and Evening School Shelter Center Company Department History Speech Therapy Pensioners Museum Boarding School Day Center Citizen Pupil Interests Center Day Care Ambulance Water and Info rmation Residence Children-Youth Center for Service Sewerage Office Re Central Sports School Pensioners Treatment gistration Library Children’s with Special Company Kindergartens Shelter Needs Information Public Technology Relations House Care Department Department Sector Family Support Center 66 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT Rezekne’s local economy assessment was undertaken using statistical data, analysis of population and economic trends, results of surveys carried out among local businesses and residents, and wider level research. The following organizations were contacted and were instrumental in providing relevant information: § Statistical Office § Labor Office § Chamber of Commerce § County Administration § City Organization Unit Economic Background Rezekne is a central city in the rural region of Latgale and located in the southeast of Latvia. It is situated in the vicinity of ports and the main cities of the region. It lies on the Warsaw-St. Petersburg and Riga-Moscow motorway network. By the end of the Second World War, only 5,000 inhabitants remained in Rezekne. During the post-war period, Rezekne became an industrial town, and construction and redevelopment lasted until 1950 with the development of an industrial area adjacent to the Riga-Moscow railroad. Following the establishment of an industrial area, a number of large industrial enterprises were formed including a milk-processing plant, a milking machinery plant and an electrical appliances plant. A number of large factories produced goods for export to Eastern Bloc countries, Cuba, China and Vietnam. During this time, Rezekne experienced an influx of migrants from other regions of the Soviet Union. The collapse of the socialist economy and the disintegration of the Soviet Union had a significant impact on the ability of Rezekne’s factories to compete. The 1990s were a time of gradual decline of Rezekne’s main companies, resulting in soaring unemployment and growing social problems. Analysis of the economic base and structure of the economy show that existing traditional industries offer limited potential for growth. The local economy is characterized by low -earnings, low-skills and a low asset base economy with associated high levels of unemployment. Demography Demographic change is the one of the most serious challenges facing the city of Rezekne. During the last ten years, Rezekne has lost ten percent of its population. Rezekne Population (1995-2003) 43000 41711 42000 41289 40975 40522 41000 39948 40000 39430 38688 39000 38054 37777 38000 37000 36000 35000 1995. 1996. 1997. 1998. 1999. 2000. 2001. 2002. 2003. Population Changes and Influencing Factors 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Changes in Number of Population -314 -453 -574 -518 -742 -634 -277 Natural Change in Population -287 -320 -291 -247 -198 -276 -278 Migration Balance -27 -133 -283 -271 -544 -358 1 67 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) In 2001, Rezekne experienced a reduction in populat ion of 7.2 persons per 1000 inhabitants compared to Latvia as a whole with a rate of 5.7 per 1000 inhabitants. In analyzing the current demographic situation, the LED working group concluded that this situation was caused by a number of factors: § A young population leaving Rezekne to study in Riga or other Latvian cities and not returning after completing their studies § Inhabitants of Rezekne leaving the city in search of employment in Riga and other countries Breakdown of Rezekne Population By Nationality Nationality Percentage (%) Latvians 43 Russian 50 Belorussians 2 Ukrainians 1 Polish 3 Other 1 Labor Force and Unemployment § 13,800 people were employed at the end of 2001 § 47% were employed in the public sector § 53% were employed in the private sector § 70% were employed in the trade and services sector (wholesale and retail, hotels, restaurants, transport, communications, financial institutions, real estate services, etc.) § 28.2% were employed in the public sector state offices, defense, social security, education, health care, social care § 24.3% were employed in industry § 6.2% were employed in building/construction § 0.7% were employed in agriculture In recent years, the majority of jobs in Rezekne were related to traditional industries. Today however, most people work in the public sector, in commerce or in the service sector. The number of workplaces in old factories is decreasing and there are fewer investments in such facilities. Most of these jobs are low paid and companies are not investment-oriented. According to data provided by the state employment agency, the unemployment rate in Rezekne is slowly falling and was 10.74% of economically active persons at the end of 2003. Rezekne’s officially listed rate of unemployment remains higher than in other Latvian regions. Listed Unemployed Persons in Rezekne (2000-2003) 2000 2001 2002 2003 Number of economically active 24,974 24,822 24,285 - persons Number of unemployed persons 3,381 2,922 2,774 2,609 Percentages 13.54 11.70 11.18 10.74 Local Economy Profile There has been a stabilization of the economic situation of Rezekne economy in last couple of years after the economic crises of the 1990s. § Between 1999 and 2000, Rezekne’s GDP figures showed a growth rate of 11% to 1,273 lats per person § Rezekne’s share of national GDP is 1.1% § Rezekne’s gross annual industrial production increased by 7% in 2003 § The low level of local purchasing capacity forces industrial companies to be export orientated; about 50% of all goods produced in Rezekne are exported 68 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) § The number of employed people in manufacturing in December 2003 was 3,104 § Wholesale and retail turnover in 2001 increased by 10% Gross Industrial Production and Export (Thousand Lats) 40000 32260 25846 30000 22035 14924 20000 11103 12092 10000 0 2001 2002 2003 Increase in Construction Works in Rezekne (2000-2003) Year Construction in Latvian Lats (thousands) 2000 1,110 2001 1,501 2002 3,382 2003 3,959 600 enterprises were active in Rezekne in 2003 with growth mainly occurring in the service and trade sectors. The introduction of new supermarkets has strengthened the local economy. 498 individuals were registered as being self-employed in 2003, and growth in transport and communications has increased by 50%. Though official data is not available for the numbers of tourists, operational data from Rezekne’s enterprises suggests that the number of foreign visitors to Rezekne increased by 65% between 2002 and 2003. Between 2001 and 2002, average employee earnings in Rezekne increased by 17%. Economically Active Enterprises and Employee Breakdown (2002-2003) Year Number of Number of Employees Enterprises 0-9 10-49 50-249 >250 2002 600 465 105 28 2 2003 602 569 30 3 Breakdown of Economically Active Enterprises by Business Activity (2002-2003) Type of Economically Active Enterprises Number of Enterprises 2002 2003* Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fisheries 83 83 Construction 27 28 Wholesale and retail, cars, motorbikes, consumer services 302 286 Hotels and restaurants 21 21 Transport and communication 47 52 Operations with immovable, rent and other commerce 66 84 Other commercial activities 54 48 Total 600 602 * Provisional Data Developable Land Rezekne lacks housing development areas as well as Greenfield sites suitable for new industries. For many years, the city’s administrative borders have remained unchanged with the result that there is no 69 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) land suitable for new large scale investments within the city boundaries. Moreover, polluted and abandoned Brownfield sites create other difficulties. Developing the areas and premises belonging to the disused factories poses another difficulty. A key issue is the lack of a database of municipal land and real estate properties; a special department was created recently. The Rezekne Special Economic Zone (RSEZ) comprises approximately 1,900 hectares of industrially zoned land, of which 400 hectares are occupied with existing industry and 1,500 hectares are undeveloped and available for development. Rezekne Special Economic Zone RSEZ provides favorable tax treatment including incentives (of between 80 to 100 percent) in property and corporate income tax, exemption from VAT, and customs and excise tax for goods imported into the zone and then exported onwards to other countries. A 2003 review of companies located in the RSEZ identified that the most economically active enterprises by turnover, investments and number of employed persons were: § RSEZ Ltd “Verems” § RSEZ Ltd “Magistr Fiskevegn Group (MFG2)” § RSEZ joint-stock company “Rezeknes dzirnavnieks” § RSEZ Ltd “A&C Electronic Baltic” § RSEZ Ltd “Larta-1” § RSEZ joint-stock company “Rebir” In 2003, RSEZ status was awarded to RSEZ Ltd “DFD”. The goal of RSEZ Ltd “DFD” is to create a brewery and a modern tasting hall where the brewing process can be observed. In comparison with previous years, the dynamics of RZES’s 2003 indicators are positive and show that the aggregate amount of turnover, investment and number of work places have increased. The biggest employers in 2003 in the Rezekne Special Economic Zone were: Major Employers (2003) Company Number of Employees RSEZ joint-stock company “Rebir” 1,748 RSEZ Ltd “Verems” 730 RSEZ Ltd “Magistr Fiskevegn Group (MFG)” 93 Hard Infrastructure Water Supply Rezekne’s water s upply system serves 29,000 inhabitants and utilizes 19 artesian bores to supply drinking water. Rezekne’s total water consumption is 2,260,000 cubic meters (m³) with the greatest consumers being residents, public institutions and SMEs. The majority of Rezekne’s big industrial enterprises mostly have their own water supply systems. 2,824,000 m³ of sewage is purified annually. The “Rezekne Water Supply System Development” project commenced last year and the overall goal of the project is to improve drinking water quality for customers and increase the overall number of customers. Within the project, 6.8 kilometers of new water pipes and 6.8 kilometers of sewage pipes will be constructed and 3 -3,500 new customers will be connected to the central water supply and sewage system. Heat Supply Energy is generated and distributed by a municipal stock company called “Siltums”. Two sections, the central and northern part of the city, comprise the city’s district heating. The company generates about 200,000 megawatts of thermal energy every year and has approximately 17,000 customers. 70 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) In 2004, the Rezekne gasification project was signed between Rezekne City Council and the stock company “Latvijas gaze” to provide the Rezekne heating system with natural gas. “Latvijas gaze” will invest about 5 million lats in construction works through until mid-2005 and Rezekne City Council will provide technical works. This project has been developed in accordance with EU regulations of sulphur quantity in heavy fuel oil. The project has to be completed before the heating season of 2005. Gas and Electricity Supply At the present time, it is not possible to use natural gas in Rezekne as there is no gas main. For household needs, people use liquefied gas from gas reserves in the city and individual gas cylinders. Two electricity substations provide the city’s electricity supply. The maximum load in the city is about 17 megawatts. It is considered possible to secure a 50% increase in power without big investments. Telecommunications From April 1999, all telephone subscribers in Rezekne have been connected to the Lattelekom digital network, a network that offers fast-moving transmission, ISDN, digital wired lines, Frame Relay, X.25 and 2 Lan. Internet services are offered by “latent Serviss” and “Apollo” (Lattelekom) with regular connection, dial-up and open Internet access. Rezekne benefits from having access to a GSM system for mobile communication services. Transport Rezekne is located on the crossing of important state trunk roads including the A -12 Jekabpils-Ludza Russia border (Terehova) and the A-13 Rezekne-Daugavpils-Lithuania border. The city is an important railway transportation hub in the eastern part of the Latvian railway network, and is well situated on the crossing point of the east-west Riga-Moscow and the north-south St. Petersburg- Vilnius -Warsaw -Berlin rail corridors. Latvian exports to and from the Russian market are primarily transported via Rezekne, and the city has two functioning railway stations. The Railway station Rezekne II has a wide railway network serving industrial enterprises and a storage complex. During the period 2004-2006, and in preparing Latvia’s transport system for the challenges of the forthcoming EU enlargement, a project to develop a new rail freight reception yard in Rezekne will receive support of €7.7 million. Social Infrastructure Social Care The Social Care Department of Rezekne City Council provides a range of social services including material aid, social care and social rehabilitation. Education The city has a well developed educational network. There are compulsory educational establishments of all levels and other educational and training institutions including secondary schools, a state gymnasium, a primary school , special school for children with speech problems, art school, music school, vocational gymnasium, vocational secondary school and a higher educational institute. Demographical challenges also face city schools. 71 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Prognozys of Number of Pupils at Schools in Rezekne 7000 6562 6438 6241 6064 5930 6000 5750 5500 5300 5100 4850 5000 4600 4480 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Decreasing number of pupils force city to reform education system Number of pupils in classes compare 2003 and 2010 2003 2010 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 List of Rezekne Educational Institutions § 9 kindergartens § 11 secondary schools § 2 professional schools § Jana Ivanova Rezekne music school § Latvijas Art Academy (Latgale Campus) § Art School § The Rezekne Institution for Higher Education Faculties of Humanities, Pedagogic, Economy and Engineering § Rezekne Border Guard College Rezekne Higher Education Institution (RHEI) was established in 1993 in response to the economic and social needs of the Latgale region. There are four faculties with almost 4,000 students in the faculties of economics, pedagogy, humanities and law, and engineering. The number of students attending the institution in the last ten years has increased tenfold. The faculty of economics is the oldest and largest faculty, with more than 500 full-time students and approximately 1,300 part-time students currently in bachelor, master and higher professional study programs. The faculty of pedagogy was founded in 1995 as a result of the reorga nizing of the Rezekne Teacher Training College, and presently there are more than 1,028 students in bachelor and higher professional study programs at the faculty. The faculty of humanities and law sciences has been a part of RHEI since it was established in 1993. 72 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Culture The Cultural Center Department of the of the city council administers Rezekne’s culture house, public library, Latgale heritage museum and the city recreation park. There are 34 amateur performance groups with 526 participants. Health Care There are primary and secondary health care facilities in the city provided by five health care establishments. With 158 doctors and 371 nurses working in the city, the national master plan has -profile medicine center of emergency treatment identified Rezekne’s hospital as becoming a multi during the period 2005-2007. Tourism The Rezekne Higher Education Institution trains students in hotel management. It has undertaken research on the possibilities of developing different kinds of tourism in Rezekne and the surrounding area. There remains a lack of well developed hotels in Rezekne. In 2003, a private company bought the main hotel and another private company prepared a project for the reconstruction of an old hotel. In the summer time, the student hostel offers an additional 200 bed places. The city of Rezekne is a member of the Latvian Association of Big Cities and has started to develop a common tourism strategy for tourist attraction with the aim of increasing the number of one and two days visitors. As part of the project, a project partner identified a tourism route of special Latgale places as well as culinary heritage route. Community Surveys In order to assist the development of the LED strategy, two surveys have been undertaken. One of them investigated business attitudes and the other was a citizens survey. Results of Citizens Survey The aim of the survey was to obtain the views and opinions of the residents of Rezekne. Key questions raised in the survey included: § Whether Rezekne is an economically developed city § The main obstacles to local economic development in the city § The types of LED activities necessary to improve Rezekne’s economy § The types of support that Rezekne City Council could offer employers 172 responses were received of which 119 were women and 53 were men. Most of the respondents were aged between 19 and 30. The table below highlights the responses to the question of ‘how to promote LED in the city of Rezekne’: Response : How to Promote LED in Rezekne Percentage (%) The promotion of business undertakings 13 Attract external investment 11 Improve social and economic conditions 10 Improve Rezekne’s technical infrastructure 8 Promote industry development 8 Explore the possibilities of training and reskilling 6 An improved and more effective tax system 5 Disseminate/promote opportunities to participate in international projects 5 Other ideas and suggestions included: § Popularize the idea of the Rezekne special economic zone § Improve the work of the cit y’s municipal administration § Create social contacts with other cities and countries 73 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) § Develop the entertainment industry § Tourism promotion § Tidy the city § Create the attractive image of the city Results of the Business Attitude Survey Fifty five managers and owners of enterprises took part in the Business Attitude Survey. The survey consisted of a number of questions to obtain information about the business, including the business’ activity, legal status, number of employees, turnover and membership of professional organizations. The businesses that contributed to the survey employed 4,362 persons in total. The largest business questioned had 1,150 employees while the smallest business questioned had two employees. 27% of the businesses questioned had a turnover of less than 100,000 lats, while 22% of the businesses questioned had a turnover of between 200,000 and 500,000 lats; the turnover of two businesses surveyed was more than 2 million lats per year. The list below highlights the responses of businesses when faced with the question of the positive aspects of ‘doing’ business in the city of Rezekne: § Transit roads crossing § Geographical location, close to the Russian boarder § Recourses for production (free premises, inexpensive labor force, free lands) § Regional, cultural and administrative center § Rezekne Special Economic zone § Inexpensive labor force § Big town (in Latvia scale) § Protection (human recourses, industries etc.) § Rezekne University § Ways of industry, contacts with Russian market § Low level of competition § Not ambitious clients 74 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY Stakeholders were invited to assess the city’s competitive position, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and define key issues that should be taken into account in the LED strategy development process. SWOT ANALYSIS INTERNAL EXTERNAL Strengths Opportunities § Rezekne is situated on major road crossing § Modern, customer orientated city § The status of Rezekne Special Economic zone administration § Existence of regional and state institutions in § Present and future availability of EU Rezekne Funds Positive § Rezekne University § Administrative and territorial reform of § Rezekne has the status of State inferiority Latvia § Export oriented companies § Development of economic activities, § High density based on knowledge § Well developed social infrastructure § Efficient utilization of opportunities of § Compact city Rezekne Special Economic zone Weaknesses Threats § Lack of effective lobby in the National § Drain of highly educated people to other Parliament and institutions of regional regions development coordination § Break-up of the city’s public utilities and § Poor social economic conditions communal services § Rezekne is located in the poorest region of the § Lack of realization of state and regional country policy § Lack of long-term development documents of § Unresolved relations between Latvia and the city Russia § Low level of business activities § Loosening of the status of State § Low skilled work force inferiority Negative § Low citizen incomes § Competition from better located regions § Survival’s city budget § High unemployment rate § Outward migration rate § Lack of space for new developments § Low value of investments § Low added value created locally § Poor technical infrastructure § Collapse of traditional city economic activities § Local companies related to traditional industries not prepared for market competition § Low level of business activity After the SWOT Analysis was undertaken, several problems were listed: § Negative natural birth and migration rates § Reduction of work places and a decrease of production § Poor but expensive housing and ineffective utilities § Lack of long term development policy § Lack of management framework transferring strategic objectives into daily activities 75 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Four key issues were identified: § Demographic trend § Competitiveness of the local economy § Quality of life § City administration capability An LED Vision was defined: “Rezekne will be the administrative, economic, educational and cultural center in the Latgale region. It will be a European city with a developed infrastructure where on the base of mutual activities of city-dwellers, employers and City municipality the high level of welfare, equal educational possibilities, work opportunities and housing rights are provided for every city-dweller. Rezekne will be a city where the inhabitants are proud of their city and live in peace with different religious beliefs, languages and traditions.” Four strategic goals were formulated to improve the efficiency of public administration in implementing the long term LED strategy and improving the service to its business and residential citizens: § To increase the transparency and customer orientation of city administration § To broaden and diversify the economic base in Rezekne § To improve living conditions in Rezekne § To archive integrated local community For each goal two objectives and a number of programs were established. These include increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the city administration, promoting effective municipal services , delivering a high quality local infrastructure, and ensuring the social and economic development of the city. In delivering these goals, there is a recognized need to organize and integrate improved municipal administrative systems by implementing information management, long term financial and investment planning systems by the end of 2004. In promoting cooperation between the city of Rezekne administration and the business community for improved economic cooperation and development, an objective of the city is to organize an employers forum, initiate regular onsite visits to Rezekne companies and undertake regular surveys and interviews of local businesses. To increase and improve support services for individuals wishing to start a business, existing companies, and new investors, a range of activities have been proposed including: § Promoting new -start businesses § Initiating business consulting and training service new start businesses § Increasing the procurement opportunities for local businesses § Establish a business park and other business support frameworks In promoting and encouraging investment in Rezekne, there is a need to: § Fully realize the potential opportunities of the Rezekne Special Economic Zone § Initiate a city marketing plan § Promote economic cooperation and collaboration internationally and with other cities § Establish a municipal real estate management and maintenance plan § Create and maintain a portfolio of investment projects 76 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) The future of the city depends on building and maintaining a high quality of life and skilled workforce, and ensuring that social integration is effective. A key role of the strategy will be to ensure the quality provision of education, health and social services. In the longer term, the city of Rezekne will promote education, develop a social health strategy, attract appropriately qualified development specialists (doctors, teachers, engineers), develop the city’s cultural heritage and expand and diversify opportunities for entertainment. Given the city of Rezekne’s high level of unemployment and the low income levels, a social care program will aim to improve the management of social cares services, reduce poverty and social divisions, and initiate a psychology service. In seeking to build community institutions and improved capacity for community integration and harmony, the city of Rezekne will establish a detailed plan of how to develop the process of social integration in the city, by working with municipal and non- governmental organizations activities. 77 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) VISION TO PROJECTS MATRIX VISION GOALS OBJECTIVES PROGRAMS PROJECTS Rezekne will be the G1: To increase the G1:O1: To increase efficiency G1:O1:PG1: G1:O1:PG1: p1: Implementation of information administrative, transparency and of city administration by Improvement of public management system (MIS) project economic, educational customer orientation implementing information and administration G1:O1:PG1: p2: CIP and financial planning and cultural center in the of city long term financial and management system system implementation project program Latgale region. administration investment planning systems by It will be a European city end of 2004 with developed G1:O2: To improve public G1:O2:PG1: G1:O2:PG1: p1: ‘One-Stop Shop’ project infrastructure where on administration clients Improvement of administrative services G2:O1:PG1: p1: Rezekne employers round table the base of mutual satisfaction rate through project activities of city- implementation one stop shop program dwellers, employers and system by end of 2002 City municipality the G2: To broaden and G2:O1: To promote cooperation G2:O1:PG1: Public- G2:O1:PG1: p2: Business surveys project high level of welfare, diversify the between city administration and business cooperation G2:O1:PG1: p3: Local business promotion equal educational economic base in business community program project possibilities, work Rezekne G2:O1:PG1: p1: Rezekne employers round table opportunities and project housing rights are G2:O2: To increase support for G2:O2:PG1: Assistance G2:O2:PG1: p1: Advisory assistance for provided for every city- beginners, existing companies for starting up companies beginners project dweller. Rezekne will be and new investors using program a city where the complex assistance instruments G2:O2:PG2: Encouraging G2:O2:PG2: p1: SME enterprise center project local business growth inhabitants are proud of and resave permanent annual program their city and live in increase of work place G2:O2:PG3: New G2:O2:PG3: p1: Industrial park project peace with different investment promotion G2:O2:PG3: p2: Investment promotion system religious beliefs, program project languages and traditions. G2:O2:PG3: p3: Logistic center project G2:O2:PG3: p4: Development of city marketing plan project G2:O2:PG3: p5: Promotion of Economic cooperation with others cities and countries G2:O2:PG3: p6: Municipal property management and maintaining project 78 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) G3: To improve G3:O1: To develop technical G3:O1:PG1: Water G3:O1:PG: p1: Development of city water living conditions in infrastructure for providing supply and sewerage supply and sewerage system Rezekne communal and social services system program for citizens to achieve national G3:O1:PG2: Central G3:O1:PG2: p1: Development of city central standards by 2008 heating system program heating system G3:O2: To extend qualitative G3:O2:PG1: Housing G3:O2:PG2: p1: Low income housing project housing and commercial program G3:O2:PG2: p2: Identification of new housing facilities by 5% per year development areas project G3:O2:PG2: p3: Development of city housing policy project G3:O2:PG2: p4: Promotion of housing management services market project G4: To achieve G4:O1: To equalize personal G4:O1:PG1: City streets G4:O1:PG1: p1: Revitalization of public spaces integrated local development opportunities to and roads development project community all members of local program community G4:O1:PG2: Public space G4:O1: PG2: p1: Improvement of children program recreation ground G4:O1: PG2: p2: Implementation of schools project for public space by organizing special grant from municipal budget G4:O1:PG3: Human G4:O1:PG3: p1: Creation of Live learning resources development center G4:O1:PG4: Social G4:O1:PG4: p1: Creation of a family support assistance program centre G4:O1:PG4: p2: Organizing of summer camps for children from social risks families (yearly) G4:O2: To promote linkages G4:O2:PG1: Society G.4.O2: PG1: p1: Establishing of national and cooperation between integration program minorities culture centre different national groups of G.4.O2: PG1: p2: Yearly festival of national community minorities in Rezekne 79 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) CITY OF REZEKNE PROJECTS MATRIX Strategy Goals To increase the transparency and To improve living conditions in To broaden and diversify the customer orientation of city To achieve integrated local economic base in Rezekne administration community Rezekne LED Projects Implementation of information management system X (MIS) project CIP and financial planning system implementation project X X X ‘One-Stop Shop’ project X X Rezekne employers round table project X Business surveys project X X X Local business promotion project X X Advisory assistance for beginners project X X SME enterprise center project X X Industrial park project X X Creation of Pedestrian Street in downtown X X Investment promotion system project X X Logistic center project X X Development of city marketing plan project X X Promotion of Economic cooperation with others cities X X X and countries Municipal property management and maintaining project X X Development of city water supply and sewerage system X Development of city central heating system X Low income housing project X X Identification of new housing development areas project X X Development of city housing policy project X X Promotion of housing management services market X X project Revitalization of public spaces project X X X 80 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) LED PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN City of Rezekne LED Projects Funding Sources (%) Project Implementing Targeted Group / No. Project Title Total Value City Private Starting Duration Donors Community Partners Beneficiaries Govt. Sector Date Implementation of Donor, Local Information City Government and 1. 10,000 70% 20% 10% 0% Government, July 2004 12 months Management System Private Sector Private Sector (MIS) Project CIP and Financial City Government and 2. Planning System 1,000 50% 50% 0% 0% September The World Bank 18 months Private Sector, NGOs Implementation Project 2003 ‘One-Stop Shop’ November City Government and 3. Project 6,000 0% 100% 0% 0% 2002 24 months Private Sector, NGOs, citizens Rezekne Employers City Government, January City Government and 4. Roundtable Project 1,200 0% 70% 30% 0% Private Sector 2004 12 months Private Sector, Business Community, Citizens Rezekne Business Surveys Institutions for September City Government and 5. 800 0% 100% 0% 0% Higher Education, 4 months Project 2004 Private Sector Local Government Donor, Local Local Business November City Government and 6. 100,000 75% 15% 10% 0% Government, 18 months Promotion Project 2004 Private Sector, NGOs Private Sector Creation of Pedestrian Donor, Local City Government and 7. Street in the City 1,120,000 75% 10% 15% 0% Government, June 2004 24 months Private Sector, NGOs, Center Private Sector citizens Advisory Assistance Local October City Gov ernment and 8. 800 0% 100% 0% 0% 6 months for Beginners Project Government 2004 Star-ups Donor, Local City Government and February 9. Industrial Park Project 1,000,000 50% 10% 40% 0% Government, 24 months Private Sector, Foreign 2005 Private Sector investors Donor, Local City Government and Investment Promotion 10. 10,000 50% 25% 25% 0% Government, March 2005 12 months Private Sector, Foreign System Project Private Sector investors 81 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Donor, National National Government, Government, Local Government, 11. Logistic Center Project 6,700,000 75% 0% 25% 0% June 2004 24 months Private Sector Private Sector, Foreign Investors Development of City Donor, Local City Government and 12. Marketing Plan Project 10,000 75% 25% 0% 0% Government August 2004 8 months Private Sector, Foreign investors Promotion of Donor, Local Economic Cooperation Government, October City Government and 13. 10,000 40% 20% 30% 10% with Others Cities and Private Sector, 2004 Private Sector, Citizens 14 months Countries Community Donor, Municipal Property Local October City Government and 14. Management and 100, 000 20% 60% 10% 10% Government, 24 months 2003 Private Sector, Citizens Maintenance Project Private Sector, Community Donor, Development of City Local October City Government and 15. Water Supply and 10,000,000 65% 10% 25% 0% 84 months Government, 2002 Private Sector, Citizens Sewerage System Private Sector Donor, City Government and Development of City Local September 16. 500,000 50% 10% 40% 0% 24 months Private Sector, Citizens, Central Heating System Government, 2003 Customers Private Sector City Government, Low Income Housing Local December 17. 45,000 100% 0% 0% 0% 6 months Citizens, Customers, Project Government 2003 Social risk families National Identification of New Housing Development Government, City Government and 18. 7,000 80% 20% 0% 0% May 2004 10 months Areas Project Local Private Sector, Citizens Government National Development of City Government, January City Government and 19. 5,000 50% 50% 0% 0% 12 months Housing Policy Project Local 2005 Private Sector, Citizens Government 82 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) National Government, Promotion of Housing Local City Government and 20. Management Services 100,000 20% 60% 15% 5% March 2004 36 months Government, Private Sector, Citizens Market Project Private Sector, Community National Government, Revitalization of Public Local January City Government and 21. 500,000 20% 60% 15% 5% 60 months Spaces Project Government, 2005 Private Sector, Citizens Private Sector, Community Total Value : 20 ,226, 800 46.4 38 .8 13.8 1. 4 83 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION According to the procedures of preparing municipal budgets in Latvia, the municipal budget has to be approved by local government after receiving state budget approval in the national parliament. Though the Republic of Latvia still has no multi-year budget planning system, some municipalities, including Rezekne, have approved a multi-year budget planning system. City of Rezekne Multi-year Financing Plan and Capital Improvement Planning System § Defines value and timing for prioritization of city development projects at current year and future activities § Is an effective instrument for data collection and monitoring for the decision-making system, and an information source for citizens, municipal organizations and financial institutions. § The city’s lo ng term financial plan has been prepared for a four year period § The plan is a platform of interconnected activities and services that has been planned and orientated to the LED strategy goals § It involves city council members, city administration representatives, the business community and social partners including NGOs and municipal enterprises. The main responsibility as laid down by Latvian legislation goes to the chairman of city council Income and expenditures are prepared in two ways: according to the classification of budgetary expenditures and to strategy programs. The second of these approaches provides an opportunity to follow strategy targets and to monitor strategy implementation results through monitoring by municipal financial institutions. The main goal of the program is to mobilize financial resources to improve Rezekne’s technical and institutional infrastructure. The four year program is reviewed annually and special procedures implemented to: § Assess the city’s annual report and review priority objectives § Evaluate strategy implementation results § Collect new project applications for strategy implementation § Select priority projects § Balance planned activities with city financial possibilities In 2002, Rezekne City Council made a decision to establish an interdepartmental working group that is responsible for developing a new edition of the strategy implementation plan. Criteria for Project Selection Technical and Economical Criteria: § Adequacy of the project to the technical, construc tion and environmental standards and regulations § Connection to the others technical projects § Using modern technologies § Available resources of the municipality § Impact to the municipal budget (after implementation) § Possibilities to secure external grants, finances, credits Social and Economic Criteria: § Project impact on the quality of life, for example, environment and security § Project impact on economic activities (competitiveness, number of new working places, new incomes for city budget) 84 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) § Linkage with local businesses (impact to the local production and services, cooperation with sub- constructors) § Identification of focus groups of beneficiaries § Support on social level Formal and Legislative Criteria: § Adequacy of municipal decisions and approved strategy § Obligations and guarantee in State budget Budgetary Revenues and Expenditures for the City of Rezekne (2005-2007) Execution Plan Prognosis Fiscal Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 REVENUES (in thousands) 9,350 8,366 9, 352 9, 950 10,605 OWN REVENUES 4,728 5,351 5,473 5,819 6,205 TAXES 4,076 4,551 4,853 5,174 5,515 Other own revenues 652 800 620 645 690 Subsidies 4,622 3,015 3,879 4,131 4,400 Delegated tasks 2,175 2,387 3,226 3,452 3,694 Municipal tasks 2,447 628 653 679 706 OPERATING EXPENDITURES 7,165 8,009 8, 622 8, 985 9, 330 STATE DELEGATED TASKS 2,167 2,310 2,472 2,645 2,830 Education 2,167 2,310 2,472 2,645 2,830 MUNICIPAL TASKS 4,998 5,699 6, 150 6, 340 6, 500 Administration 672 922 950 979 1,008 Education 1,878 2,173 2,260 2,350 2,444 Health Care 62 22 23 24 25 Social Services 906 996 1,035 1,076 1,119 Communal services 654 906 1,041 1,062 1,085 Culture and Recreation 513 554 570 587 605 Economic Activity 268 21 24 25 26 Others 45 105 247 237 188 OPERATING SURPLUS 2,185 357 730 965 1, 275 CIP Expenditure 2,115 1,500 504 1, 158 1, 190 (USD $1 = 0.547 LVL) Municipal Development Agency: “Rezekne Business Center” Institutional development is a key aim of the Rezekne LED strategy. Although the city is still facing serious demographic and economic challenges, it is clear that the city needs to strengthen its position. The Rezekne Business Center (RBC) city development agency will play a key role in this task. RBC emerged out of the city council’s economic development department and is now responsible for LED on behalf of Rezekne City Council. The aim of this project was to improve cooperation between the city administration and the business community in Rezekne. This idea was implemented and financed under the PHARE 2000 “Development of Rezekne Business Center” project. The Rezekne Business Center became operational in December 2003. RBC provides economic development services for Rezekne City Council that include promoting business activities, providing services to public and municipal establishments, and the provision of public services to individuals and corporate entities in the city Rezekne and the surrounding district. Rezekne Business Center is established on the basis of Rezekne City Council resolution and annual contract for services with mayor of the city. RBC aims to: 85 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) § Promote the development of an entrepreneurial environment § Improve communication among entrepreneurs and the city council § Ensure continuous identification of preconditions for a successful entrepreneurial environment by offering services to entrepreneurs i.e., consulting, training and office services, as well as providing assistance with obtaining various permits, confirmations, registrations and documents in the municipality § Establish and develop the database under the agency’s supervision as well its utilization to provide the necessary information to entrepreneurs for a more efficient decision-making and business development process § Enhance the necessary services to the entrepreneurs focusing on regulation, adjustment and improvement of entrepreneurial environment in the interests of Rezekne city § Provide services to public and municipal establishments, individuals and corporate entities RBC, according to its objectives and functions, has established the following principal departments: § Project development department § Economic and development department § Information department (Students Career Center) RBC Organizational Structure Rezekne City Council Consultative Board Director of Agency Information Center Project Development Economic and Development Department Students Career Center 86 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) RBC is charged with undertaking the following functions: § Summarizing the proposals identified by the Rezekne LED strategy § Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of solving the economic and development issues in the Rezekne city council by promoting communication between the city council and entrepreneurs § Promoting Rezekne to supporting institutions § Attracting investments to enhance the regional and urban business environment § Providing services to Rezekne city and district entrepreneurs by delivering the following assistance: consulting, training and office services, as well as providing assistance with obtaining various permits, confirmations and registrations § Cooperating with other organizations § Organizing international cooperation with other similar establishments and organizations in foreign countries in order to get acquainted with their experience and make improvements to the commercial environment; § Establishing and maintaining various information databases with the information necessary for Rezekne city commercial environment § Cooperating with public and municipal institutions, NGOs, businesses and merchants to encourage information exchange and project realization 87 LED PROJECT ACTION PLANS Project: Creation of Rezekne Business Center Program Type(s): (SME Enterprise Cente r) Business Development Program Short Description of the Project: The Rezekne Business Centre (RBC) is a modern center for the promotion of entrepreneurship and LED. The Center offers business development services to local entrepreneurs. With a qualified staff and equipment, the center is able to offer a wide range high quality services to the business community. A professional team offers advice to existing or potential entrepreneurs in management, finance and marketing. Related services include business planning, preparing loan applications, offering business information, organizing courses and seminars, organizing roundtables and conferences, providing feedback to the local administration, advocacy and project development. Expected Results: Target Group(s): To promote the development of an entrepreneurial The main target user groups of the Rezekne Business environment in the City of Rezekne and the wider centre development plan are: region RBC: Development document for period up to 2008; To improve the operational effectiveness of the Rezekne City Council: For planning and control of RBC economic and development activities and planning by financing; improving communication between the municipality and Rezekne city and regional entrepreneurs: for the better entrepreneurs development of their companies and getting to know An increase in the contribution of the private sector to possibilities; the municipal budget and local economy RBC cooperation partners: for the preparation and An improved rate of economic growth and social development of cooperation proposals; development Education institutions: students and necessary research To implement entrepreneurship support by attracting matching; entrepreneurship support institutions for the support Potential investors: investment proposals preparation and consultancies; to provide regional entrepreneurs with the cooperation planning. necessary competences To provide practical and professional education and training to student interns To reduce unemployment and business failures and increase the number of business start -ups Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Rezekne City Council Project Managers Latgale regional cities and communities; other local Partners in the implementation in the project municipalities Ministry of Economy, PHARE program for SMEs, state Technical and financial assistance institutions and employment service, company register, Rezekne education institutions Latvian Technological Park, LTC and business Technical advice through experts incubators, professional and industry associations, support centers, organizations abroad Rezekne Higher Education Institution Students may work here as interns Latvian Development Agency and other organizations Technical and financial assistance willing to exchange information Technical advice through experts Prerequisites : Adequate infrastructure Available premises and equipment Specialists that could provide services Available financial resources Estimated Costs : Investment: US $150,000 Non investment: US $35,000 Annual operational costs: US $20,000 Time for Implementation: Time to Impact : Development period 2002-2004 Full institutional capacity by 2008 88 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Economic and Entrepreneurship Program Type(s): Information System ( EEIS) Local Government Improvement Services Short Description of the Project: The economic and entrepreneurship information system is a part of the Rezekne Business Center and provides various types of data to entrepreneurs through a portal. It is envisaged that entrepreneurs will use the portal to obtain information about enterprises, economic indices in the Rezekne region and indices of industries. The elaborated services will received information about municipal functions, activities, list of payments for different permissions and confirmations. The Entrepreneur Portal will provide information about municipal regulations and rules that are connected with entrepreneurship. The elaborated business portal will also provide informative linkages among companies, assist with business-to-business communication, assist in partner search, serve as a database for company supply chain needs. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Entrepreneurs will be able to obtain information on Rezekne city and regional entrepreneurs: for the better enterprises, local and regional economic and industry development of companies and getting to know possibilities indices in Rezekne Education institutions: students and necessary research The elaborated services will get received information on matching; relevant municipal functions, activities, list of payments Potential investors: preparation and cooperation planning for different permissions and confirmations The Entrepreneur Portal will provide information about municipal regulations and rules that are connected with entrepreneurship. The business portal also will provide informative linkages among companies, organize business to business communication, effectively assist in partner search, will serve as data base for companies supply and demands needs. The information system about economics and entrepreneurship will integrate and will effectively fulfill each other Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Local government Project Manager Business association/ Private sector Project support/ offers information, advertises initiatives and possibilities International organizations Technical and financial assistance Governmental and non governmental organizations Partners and users of the information and advertising Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Adequate infrastructure Lack of specialized personnel Support from the administration to create and update the Lack of financial founds information system Estimated Costs: Investment costs: US $90,000 Non Investments costs: US $45,000 Annual operation costs: US $8,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: One year One year later, after project becomes operational 89 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Venture Capital Fund Program Type(s): Business Development Program Short Description of the Project: Created out of the Rezekne Special Economic Zone fund, the Venture Capital Fund will be operated independently of state and municipal grants on a commercial basis, and will utilize external funding. Given Rezekne’s weak SME capacity relative to the Latvian average, it is envisaged that the Venture Capital Fund will be an important instrument in the support and development of local enterprises and entrepreneurial activity. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Support of Business development Small and medium sized enterprises Access to the capital for most dynamic companies Existing enterprises Potential investors Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Rezekne Special Economic Zone Project managers Local government Technical and financial assistance Business association/private sector Technical and financial assistance Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Potential conditions for local business development Lack of specialized personnel exist Lack of financial founds Support from the administration Low business potential of local businesses Estimated Costs : Investment: More than US $500,000 Non Investment: US $50,000 Annual operational costs: US $25,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : 3 years After 3-5 years 90 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Business Roundtable Program Type(s): Business Association Development Program (Public-Business Cooperation) Short Description of the Project: There is no regular information exchange between Rezekne municipality and the local business community. The main task of the project is to broaden and diversify the economic base in Rezekne; organize regular meetings between Rezekne’s entrepreneurs, the municipality and the Rezekne Special Economic Zone and Chamber of Trade and Industry, and discuss practical topics for city development, recognize the business community’s situation and needs, and establish a forum for the direct cooperation between public and private sector partners. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Regular information exchange between local business Rezekne city and regional entrepreneurs and municipality Small and medium sized enterprises Common projects could be developed, development of Entrepreneurs organisations business environment in Rezekne and trust between business and municipality Help support local to businesses Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Rezekne municipality Manager and donor of the project Chamber of Trade and Industry Co-donor of the project Special Economic Zone Co-donor of the project Rezekne City Council Co-donor of the project Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Motivation or participation in implementation of project Condition that donors offer Mutual cooperation with L.G. with the purpose of Untrained and inexperienced staff business development Estimated Costs : US $3,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: One year After one year 91 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Business Conference Center Program Type(s): Business Development Program Short Description of the Project: The Business Conference Center provides a venue for conferences, workshops and training sessions. The reconstructed and equipped business conference center is able to offer simultaneous interpreting and videoconferencing, and a number of international conferences and business training events have been held. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Creation of Rezekne as business tourism destination Rezekne city and regional entrepreneurs Development of conference facility Education institutions Attracting Rezekne for training institutions Renovation of existing facility Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Rezekne municipality Manager and donor of the project Chamber of Trade and Industry Special Economic Zone Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Existence of the project manager Budget limitation Available office and conference hall Additional office staff Insufficiently qualified people to staff the office Estimated Costs : Investment costs: US $190,000 Non inv estment costs: US $25,000 Annual operational costs: US $12,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : One year After one year 92 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Student Career Center Program Type(s): Education Program Short Description of the Project: As a service of the Rezekne Business Center, the Student Career Center (SCC) will promote and facilitate cooperation between employers and local and regional educational institutions to increase the professional capacity of local labor force and improve overall educational quality. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Create and use student abilities evaluation system/ Education institutions (local and foreign) criteria Students Staff selection (Company is receiving list of potential Trainers/ lecturers workers) Graduates Research databases (universities and companies) Companies and institutions(local and foreign) Feedback from entrepreneurs Owners Creation of practice places database Managers Office services delivery Staff Participation in students organized events Employment institution Student’s auction Information about potential sponsors Qualification raise for training staff, experience exchange, practice Project initiative Participation in exhibition/conferences Research for entrepreneurs Create possibility for employment Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipal Assembly Department of Education Municipal Directorate of Education Business community Students organization Opportunity for students to work in the office as interns Local business service providers and other institutions so they can perform services under supervision of – a. practical experience for students and faculties. B. senior staff while gaining experience income for university and future posit ions for students Prerequisites : Risk Factors : The Project is ongoing and the results achieved so far Lack of continuous source of financing are satisfactory Migration of qualified students to bigger urban centers Commitment from the municipality to support the Limited business potential in the area program Estimated Costs : Investment costs: US $20,000 Non investment costs: US $18,000 Annual operational costs: US $18,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : 6 months After 12 months 93 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Pr oject: ‘One -Stop Shop’ for Business Program Type(s): Local Business Enabling Environment Program Short Description of the Project: The goal of the project is the establishment of a ‘one-stop’ shop that will offer professional advice business in management, finance, marketing and human resources to current Small and Medium Enterprises. Those interested will be able to acquire information and receive assistance in complying with the administrative procedures related to the establishment and operation of a businesses. The ‘one-stop’ shop will provide assistance to business managers in planning, the organization of courses, seminars, support of the business community through communication (roundtables and conferences) with the local administration, advocacy. The ‘one-stop’ shop will gradually become self-financing and users will be charged a fee for services; several services are exempted from payment such as seminars or assistance for starting a business. Initial ‘one-stop’ shop start -up costs will be covered by the municipal budget and/or donor funds. The establishment of the ‘one-stop’ shop will become a factor in improving the overall local business environment. The long term impact will be less unemployment, a better economy and higher local incomes. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Increase in number of businesses Potential investors, people with business ideas who Improvement of business environment Efficient and lack finance or knowledge to start up a a business timely deliver of administrative services for SME Existing SME Reduction failures in business Decreasing unemployment People with business ideas that do not have Better relation between local administration and business knowledge or fi nancial means to start a business clients Faster and better quality of services Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Business associations, chamber of commerce Local The LED team Department for reconstruction and government, development of the municipality International organizations, The local chamber of commerce European Union programs in regional private enterprise Private businesses center Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Availability of office and equipment in the municipal Not sufficient expertise in business service providing building Lack of coordination in donors programs Availability of trained and skilled individuals in the Limited options for financing business service area Possibility to coordinate and merge Difficulties in gat hering data and accessing resources with donor programs information Estimated Costs : Personnel salaries (three people): US $7,200 Equipment: US $5,000 Variable expenses: US $4,000 Rent of the building: US $2,400 Total expenses for the first year: US $18,600 Partners can contribute to project financing (in cash, equipment, buildings) After a period of time the services of the center may be compensated at reasonable price. Training and seminars can be financed from donations or additional funds Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : One year Review after 3 months of activity 94 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: ‘One -Stop Shop’ for Citizens Program Type(s): Local Government Improved Services Short Description of the Project: Two employees (from the municipal administration) will provide basic information on the requirements for registration and licensing of businesses, procedures and fees). The office may distribute information regarding changes in the legislation or administrative procedures from other institutions/departments (procedures for tax collection, requirements for sanitary licensing, fire brigade norms). The office could also provide basic data to possible investors. It is possible that services are free of charge. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Increase in the quality of municipal Local government: local administration professional services offered to citizens, Business community business community and NGOs Citizens Improved relations between local NGOs administration and citizens Faster and better quality services provided by the municipal administration An improved business environment that is favorable to local and inward investments An increased number of businesses (easier access to info) Established database on business for municipal government An increase in public confidence of municipal government Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Local government Financial assistance Direct financial support, political support Offers specific information for various staff Business association and Private Sector Financial support Technical assistance Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Previous and selective preparation Limited financial resources Adequate training facilities Insufficiently qualified people to staff the office Estimated Costs : US $10,000 Running costs: US $2,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: One year Review after 3 moths of activity 95 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Promotion of Economic Cooperation with Program Type(s): Others Cities and Countries Encouraging Local Business Growth Promote Inward Investments Investment in Soft Infrastructure Improving Local Business Enabling Environment Short Description of the Project: One of the main problems faced by the municipality is that there are so many changes to cope with and very little experience and expertise in many fields. This project aims to establish communication channels between municipalities in the hope that they can share experiences and program ideas. These exchanges could range from selling products in the other’s market, creating joint ventures, exchanging students or trainees for apprenticeships. The project will involve professional correspondence, presentations, visiting and hosting the partners, organizing fairs and presentations, and preparing promotion materials. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Increased opportunities for the local businesses that Existing entrepreneurs may find markets and partners in the partnering Local administration. municipality. NGOs and associations There is an opportunity for tourism development Public institutions Increased number of businesses (either locals start new ones to match the ones of the partners or create Joint Ventures) Increased investments from outside the community Eventually all the above determine reducing number of unemployed Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Local government Leader of the project Business association Partner of the project Chamber of Commerce Possible partner for the implementation of the project NGOs, Associations Benefic iaries of the project due to the opportunities opened for partnerships Public institutions Involved in the implementation of the project and participants in the experience exchanges. Diaspora Supporter of the project, may represent a liaison with the communities where they settled Prerequisites : Risk Factors : City is determined to support the project and motivate City instead of increased transparency ends up by other groups of the community to become involved taking full advantage of the project for the personal There are available, suitable partners identified, interests of the staff. willing to partner. Estimated Costs : Total: US $17,000 Promotion materials: US $2,000 Visiting partners: US $5,000 Public relations: US $3,000 Administrative Costs: US$2,000 Organizing meetings and fairs: US $5,000 Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : Start -up in about one year First evaluation after 1-2 years of operations. 96 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF REZEKNE (2004 – 2014) Project: Business Community Survey Program Type(s): Local Business Enabling Environment Program Short Description of the Project: The objective of this project is to conduct a survey of the business community with business individuals from a wide variety of sectors in order to receive current information on the needs, goals and constraints of engaging in business, through a questionnaire prepared by the Directorate for Economy and Finance. This survey will be used to create a realistic overview of the needs of the business community, identify the tools to overcome challenges and design specific projects to address these needs. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Better knowledge about local business Guidelines for SME support projects Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Chamber of Commerce Manager of the project Local government Staff of the municipal departments Prerequisites : Risk Factors : There is a socially endangered population Insufficient budget Lack of capacity to conduct and analyze surveys Estimated Costs : 3000 USD Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: 2 moths 4 months 97 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) CITY OF POPRAD STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2002-2010 Poprad, Slovakia September 2004 98 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Disclaimer This strategy has been written by the City of Poprad Municipal Team with advice and guidance from the World Bank Group and the Bertelsmann Foundation. The World Bank Group and Bertelsmann Foundation do not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of this strategy; they do however congratulate the Municipal Team for the quality of this work. 99 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) INTRODUCTION Poprad is a key town located in the High Tatra region of north central Slovakia. It sits on the main road and rail connection that links Bratislava with the eastern part of the country. The town is situated close to southern border of Poland and has an airport with international connections. Poprad is an administrative center and manufacturing town, and the surrounding region is popular as a tourist destination. The mountains and infrastructure provide a supporting environment for winter sports. The town has a long history of manufacturing and has attracted a number of foreign investors, the most prominent being the Whirlpool Company and its associated suppliers. While Poprad is not a big city in comparison to other Slovakian urban centers, the town offers a good quality of life and a skilled workforce to investors. Poprad is an active member of the Tatra Euroregion and works closely with its Polish partner town of Zakopane. In 1999, Poprad joined a network of central European cities established as part of the Cities of Change program, a program initiated by the World Bank and the Bertelsmann Foundation. Poprad, together with a number of other cities, participated in the Economic Development Cluster. A primary aim of the cluster was to develop a local economic development strategy to strengthen LED institutional capacity within the city administration. The program methodology was based on a five stage approach to LED strategic planning that included: § Organizing the Effort § Conducting the Local Economy Assessment § Developing the LED Strategy § Strategy Implementation § Strategy Review: Developing a monitoring and evaluation system In devising its LED strategy, a participatory process involving politicians, interdepartmental teams of civil servants and community members was established. This process commenced in 2000 and a local economy assessment was undertaken. An LED vision and goals were identif ied and following stakeholder consultation, these were approved by the City Council in 2002. Following this, additional LED programs and projects were selected and approved in 2003. LED Institutional Set-up To strengthen institutional capacity in City Hall, a number of developments were undertaken that included: § A new department responsible for LED § Multi-year financial planning was introduced to the finance department § A ‘one-stop shop’ for citizens was created § Strategy implementation procedure was established to update strategy the implementation plan every year § A Council of Third Sector Organizations was established; this has eleven members that are representatives of all the NGOs working in Poprad A number of new projects were prepared for implementation and several applications for European Union Structural Funds were submitted. To develop an LED strategy using a participatory approach, three working teams were established: § Working Group responsible for logistics and professional analysis § Steering Committee responsible for drafting the strategy § Stakeholder Group to consult on the draft strategy 100 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Given that there was not a dedicated LED Department within the Poprad administration at the beginning of the strategy making process, a team comprising specialists from different departments was nominated as a working group. The leader of this team was the Poprad Cities of Change initiative coordinator. The team was responsible for strategy process, collecting data, conducting surveys and working with the Cities of Change program to prepare a local economy assessment and propose LED strategy goals, objectives and programs. The Steering Committee discussed draft strategy proposals before stakeholder meetings and the Mayor was the steering committee leader. Additional staff members were invited as and when necessary, and the core steering committee consisted of: § Mayor of Poprad; leader of the team § Council Member § Director of Poprad’s Regional Advisory and Information Center § Head of Economic Resources Divi sion § Head of Property Division § Head of Business Division § Representative from the Local Taxes and Charges Division LED Stakeholders Group: The Local Development Council In order to involve the business community in the strategy making process, the City Council initiated a stakeholder group of public, private (major industrial and tourism companies, commercial banks), and non-governmental organizations and institutions. Under the name of the Local Development Council, the stakeholder group is defined as an advisory body to the city administration in the field of the local economic development. The Local Development Council consisted of representatives from the following organizations: § City Council: the Mayor of Poprad § Head of City Council’s Trade and Tourism Commission § National Labour Office § Statistical Office § The Slovak Airport Administration § Matej Bel University, Faculty of Economics § Whirlpool Slovakia; producer of laundresses § Tatramat; producer of water heaters § Pivovar Tatran; local brewery § Tatrakon; food producer § Tatravagonka; manufacturer of rail wagons § Darpop; restaurant operator § Hotel Poprad § Hotel Satel § Volksbank § Tatrabanka § Chemosvit; a chemical factory based in the neighboring city of Svit § Regional Advisory and Information Center (Poprad) § Poprad Students Parliament § Academy of Education § Local newspaper journalist and tourism expert § Slovak Chamber of Trade and Commerce 101 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Strategy Making Process The Local Development Council met twice, first in March 2001 to discuss the city’s economic situation and strategy development process, and then again in October 2001 to discuss the results of a business attitude survey and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. The city’s LED vision and strategic goals were agreed as a result of these discussions. Also raised at this meeting was the perceived need for a local tourism organization and agency responsible for local economic development. The city council proposed a Commission for Trade and Tourism to review the draft strategy and prepare recommendations for the plenary meeting. The Commission for Trade and Tourism has played an important role in facilitating local actions for tourism development. In October 2000, the Commission sought to create a Local Association for Tourism (LAT) and initiate closer collaboration with the City of High Tatras in the joint marketing and promotion of the region. In 2001, the Commission also sought to develop a public -private partnership to promote and market the newly reconstructed historic city quarter of Spišská Sobota. The Commission is composed of members of the city council together with business and tourism experts. In aligning the activities of the Commission with LED strategy, it was appropriate that the Head of the Commission should become a member of the Local Development Council and activities of the commission have been incorporated into the strategy making process. Finally, the city council approved the city vision with strategic goals and decided to establish new department responsible for regional and local economic development. The tourism agency was incorporated in to the new department structure. Over the next year, the local economy assessment was upgraded, and multi-year financial analyses were prepared. In consul tation with different city units and stakeholders, a number of programs were identified and priority projects selected. A special NGO forum was institutionalised to encourage consultation on city plans with the non-governmental sector. At the beginning of 2003, the City Strategy for LED was approved by the city council, and in order to institutionalize the LED strategy implementation planning process, a regular annual procedure was established. Structure of Municipal Government and City Budget Poprad’s activities and functions are determined by the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and is further specified by the Municipal Regulation Law. According to the Municipal Regulation Law, the self-governing functions are referring mainly to: § Managing the property of the municipality, budgeting and final budget of the municipality § Local taxes and charges § Economic actions in the municipality § Local roads, public areas, cemeteries, local cultural and sports facilities § Environmental policy § Regional planning doc umentation § Own investment and enterprising activities of the municipality § Public safety in the municipality § Chronicle of the municipality landmarks care For the period 2002-2006, there are 31 elected members. Poprad Municipal Council has a number of responsibilities that include: § Designating the managing principles with the property of the municipality and subsequently control them § Approving the budget of the municipality and the budget changes and to control the budget § Accepting the regional planning of the municipality and the concept of development § Deciding about the introduction or cancellation of local taxes § Announcing the polling municipal residents 102 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) § Resolving on resolutions § Determining a set-up of the local authority § Establishing and control the municipal enterprises § Administering honorary citizenships The city council can establish committees as its permanent or temporary advisory bodies. Committees consist of members of the local council and of residents of the municipality elected by the local council. The committees identified below are presently working in the municipality of Poprad: § Social and housing § Financial § Education, youth and culture § Tourism and regional development 103 Organizational Structure of the Municipality of Poprad Secretary of the Mayor Mayor Town The main controller of Presentation the town (1+4) Department of Town’s Vice Mayor Secretary of the Chief Secretary of the Chief Executive Civil Defense Police Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Executive Tourism, The office of regional Organizational Social Construction Economic the deputies development department department department department Education, youth and the contact and information and sport with the centre of Poprad department inhabitants of division town Territorial Senior and development, Registry birth seriously Finance and Education record division construction Personal and handicapped budget division division and town citizens architect Cinema wages division division division vecí Internal Family and Tax and fee Youth and sport Cultural administration unadaptable division division division Town Environmental division citizens division lawyer division Information Division of the technologies Register apartment and Civil Economic Kindergardens division office nonresidential Cookshop engineering administration and lunchrooms informatiky space order division division informatiky administration mesta Sport facilities First contact Treasury Property Division of Nurseries administration ministration of administration office division homeless people division 104 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Breakdown of City Hall Employees Operational Units Actual Situation Full-time Part -time Total Clerks Labourers Clerks Labourers Staff 128 - 2 - 130 Cleaning Service 3 30 - 4 37 City Police 36 - - - 36 Care Givers 39 - 12 - 51 Café 1 5 - - 6 Public Works Staff 4 - 6 - 10 Kindergarden 9 2 - - 11 Cinema 3 1 - - 4 Cook Shop for Pensioners 1 6 - - 7 Hostel for Homeless People 1 3 - - 4 Total 225 47 20 4 296 City Bud get A primary component of Poprad’s municipal budget revenue comes from tax receipts from the state budget, income tax (local taxes and fees), property yields and the proceeds of sales, state subsidies, grants and transfers, credits, loans and other receipts. Poprad’s budgetary revenue structure is displayed in the graphs below. Between 1996 and 2003, Poprad’s budgetary revenue structure experienced change. While at the beginning of the period the largest portion of total revenue was represented by tax income and municipal property receipts from property ownership and sale, during the latter stages of the period, the largest proportion was represented by the transfer of responsibilities to the municipal level and associated budgetary resources. In 2003, state subsidies and transfers reached SK. 317.4 million to become a major source of Poprad’s income (51.1%). State and national decentralization of construction, nursing, schools, social assistance and environmental protection and an associated transfer of financial resources resulted in municipal revenues increasing by 224% between 2001 and 2003. In terms of operational and capital expenses in 2003, the expected inter-year strengthening of non- capital expenses occurred (+40.5%) within the total cost. Capital expenditure at the same level as for the last few years is not possible to maintain without additional sources of revenue. Municipal investment varies significantly and is dependent on whether the revenues in a given year is supplemented by credit resources. During the last year of monitoring, a high volume of investment was financed by the capital revenues which exceeded capital costs. BUDGETARY REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE 620,9 BUDGETARY REVENUES STRUCTURE 2003 100% 493,2 606,0 90% 2002 481,0 80% 2001 277,2 272,0 70% 2000 318,5 308,1 60% 1999 223,7 50% 211,5 241,0 40% 1998 234,2 30% 297,9 1997 289,9 20% 1996 192,8 186,3 10% 1995 112,9 0% 113,2 Expenditure Revenue 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 99,2 (SKK in millions) 1994 125,1 Other revenue Funds transmissions, collected funds Credits 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 State subsidies and transfers Property revenue Local taxes and fees revenue 105 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) At the end of 2003, the town was paying three Slovak crown credits and one Euro credit. After reviewing credit payments to the Dexia Bank of Slovakia, the level of debt servicing in 2002 and 2003 was settled at approximately SK. 23 million. A similar amount has been calculated for 2004, and municipal forecasts predict that by 2008, current municipal debt will fall to SK 17.5 million. In 2004, the city of Poprad was evaluated by an independent credit rating agency and judged to have a ‘Ba+’ credit rating, up from a rating of ‘Baa-’ in 2003. BUDGETARY EXPENDITURE STRUCTURE CAPITAL COST COVERAGE BY CREDITS AND PROPERTY SALE REVENUE (SKK in 100% thousands) 160 000 90% Capital revenue Credits Capital cost 140 000 80% 70% 120 000 60% 100 000 50% 40% 80 000 30% 60 000 20% 10% 40 000 0% 20 000 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 0 Running cost Capital cost Debt servicing 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 106 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) 107 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) LOCAL ECONOMY ASSESSMENT In undertaking the local economy assessment, the taskforce team collected data to review and identify the main issues affecting and guiding Poprad’s growth and development. Data collected by the taskforce team and supplied by stakeholders provides an overview of the city’s historical roots, geographical position, demographic data, unemployment status, economy, transport, spatial management, infrastructure, housing, health, education, sport and culture and environment Basic Information This modern town of forty-four thousand inhabitants south of the High Tatra Mountains is a center for tourism and leisure, and main gateway to the Tatra mountain range. The town extends over the Poprad basin alongside the river which bears the same name. It is an important communications nexus with an international airport. Potential exists to develop the town’s engineering industry as exemplified particularly by the successful Whirlpool-Tatramat company, and for the region’s tourism. Poprad, the third largest town of the eastern Slovakia and the tenth Slovak largest town. Poprad is located in the broad high valley that carries the Poprad River. The cadastre has an irregular radial shape covering an area of approximately 6,305 square kilometers. In the northern part of the district sits the High and Belianské Tatras massif. In the eastern part, lies the Levoca mountain chain; in the south, there is a low highland of the Kozie chrbty, and in the west, there are the heights of the Strbske dividing ridge. The High Tatras massif reaches to approximately 2,000 meters in height. Given its situation close to the Tatra range, Poprad boasts magnificent scenery. The town is surrounded by agricultural land, which then progresses into continuous forest. The town’s social, economic, and geographical significance results from its advantageous transport position both on the E50 road, a road with international significance, and the main rail route linking Kosice and Bratislava with a connection to the Czech Republic and the Ukraine. The international airport at Poprad-Tatry is situated at 718 meters above sea level. While the number of workers employed in industry throughout the district has decreased, industrial production in financial terms is rising. Enterprises in the district are suffering from secondary insolvency resulting from companies being unable to pay their debts due to the companies themselves being unpaid for work undertaken. The possible development of the area should be oriented towards production restructuring and the utilization of unused production capacities The city of Poprad consists of seven historical neighbourhoods: 108 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) § Poprad § Matejovce § Spišská Sobota § Stráže § Velká § Kvetnica The urban heritage reserve of Spisska Sobota is situated in the northern part of Poprad. This former market community has a uniquely preserved historical town square with a Romanesque church. Spisska Sobota is one of the best-preserved historical settlements in Slovakia and a visit there offers a welcome complement to a walking or sports holiday in the High Tatras. Local Economy and Labor Market Poprad has a long tradition of manufacturing. The flagship of the local economy is the Whirlpool washing machine factory, the first big foreign investor in Poprad. In the 12 years since Whirlpool located in the town, the annual level of production of washing machines has risen almost 20-fold from less than 100,000 units in May 1992 to 1.8 million in 2003. The Poprad factory is now Whirlpool’s largest European plant and the factory in eastern Poprad has received additional production from other factories in the Whirlpool company. Whirlpool moved to Poprad in 1992, and during its first 10 years, the venture was initially a joint venture with a local manufacturer, Tatramat. Whirlpool invested three billion Slovak koruna (75 million Euros, USD $89 million), mainly in equipment and energy supplies. Today, Whirlpool is Poprad’s largest employer with 1,200 workers. The company has created around 3,000 jobs in all including suppliers, and Whirlpool is continuing to move its suppliers to the site. Whirlpool is a hugely important company to Poprad and Poprad has one of the country’s lowest unemployment rates. The firm, which exports around 90 percent of its output, plans to reach capacity of 2 million washing machines in 2005. The arrival of Whirlpool has brought with it a whole new business culture to the region. Whirlpool has set up its own on-site affiliated university offering degree courses in economics and engineering machiner y for 60 students at a time. The Czech firm AŽD, which makes cables for washing machines, opened a factory employing 250 people in Poprad as part of Poprad-based Whirlpool (Slovakia)’s policy of having its suppliers nearby. Development trends of the Poprad industrial base are to be oriented towards optimising the infrastructure system, developing small and medium sized enterprises, and restructuring Poprad’s industrial sectors. Poprad city council approved the allocation of 120,000 square meters of munic ipal land for industrial development use. The industrial park is located in the Matejovce district of Poprad in the immediate vicinity of the western boundary of the present zone of Tatramat a.s. and Whirlpool Slovakia a.s., subsequently behind a local reserve for the development of Whirlpool Slovakia a.s. area. To the north, the park borders the southern boundary of the Matejovce residential area and to the south, it is borders the planned route of the D1 highway. The industrial park can be divided into two interest parts: § An area for the development of the Whirlpool facility together with space for existing sub- contractors and new sub-contractors (estimated intention of 600-800 labor positions) § Areas of the industrial park itself (assumed intention of 200-500 labor positions) The area of the industrial park is a logical continuance of the current plants Whirlpool Slovakia a.s. and Tatramat a.s. as well as the present undeveloped area for enlargement of the Whirlpool production toward to the west. 109 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) The industrial park covers approximately 10 hectares. In addition to administrative buildings, there are production plants. The manufacturing plants are situated to the north of the park and cover an area of 3,000 m 2. These are mainly assigned for machinery production. Smaller facilities are located to the south of the site. Proposals exist to use European funds to develop an electro-technical and machinery vocational training center in Matejovce, where students would be able to receive a graduate educ ation associated with the manufacturing needs and skills of the industrial park. The locality has a direct railway connection with the independent factory delivery track into the main railway station Poprad-Tatry. At present, a nearby Tatramat area has a private rail track with loading and unloading space available. Employees have access to transportation through a public bus service that serves the industrial park directly. Existing bus routes connect the northern area with villages situated in the Kežmarok district up to Stará Lubovna Workforce and Unemployment In December 2003, the unemployment rate in Poprad was 15.83% (the number of unemployed people was 8,139) compared to a national unemployment rate of 15.56%. The average absolute number of unemployed in 2003 was 9,030 people and in comparison to the 2002, it decreased by 19.1% (1,723 people). The average unemployment rate reached the level of 15.74% (in 2003: 19.04%). In terms of the age structure of the unemployed, the largest group consists of young people in the 20- 24 age group, and totals 1,635 individuals; the share of the group is 19% of all registered unemployed. From the educational perspective, all levels of education experienced a decrease in registration. The biggest decrease was registered in the group of people with basic education (primary school). The second largest group were citizens with secondary level education. 3,766 registered unemployed (41%) had only basic education according the District Job Office in Poprad (December 2003). A major problem facing Poprad is the extent of the long term registered unemployed people as a proportion of the registered unemployed. A characteristic of the long-term unemployed is a low level of educational achievement. 58.7 % of this group have only an elementary education. The average number of registered unemployed graduates in 2003 was about 650, of which 370 were registered for less than one year. A large number of these registered unemployed graduates come from the technical training institutions. 110 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) List of biggest employers shows that the Poprad labour market is heavily dependent on city administrative functions and industrial activities. Major Employers in Poprad Name of Employer Form of Ownership Number of Activity Employees Baliarne obchodu a.s. Joint -stock company 217 Packing-plant Cestné stavby a.s. Košice Joint -stock company 140 Road construction GAS & OIL s.r.o. Limited 190 Planning Jednota SD Cooperative 400 Trade Lesy Prešov,š.p.Správa lesov Stat e company 50 Forest Mesto Poprad - MsÚ Municipality 224 Municipality Novastav a.s. Joint -stock company 25 Construction NsP Poprad State company 1,270 Hospital OD PRIOR Poprad a.s. Joint -stock company 100 Shopping centre Okresný úrad Poprad Budgetary 2,651 Public Administratioin PD Družba Poprad Cooperative 88 Agriculture Perkins - P. Bendík Joint -stock company 150 Food processing Pivovar TATRAN a.s. Joint -stock company 140 Food processing Podtatran VD Cooperative 86 Manufacturing Pozemné stavby Poprad a.s. Joint -stock company 175 Construction Sachsering-Tatramat s.r.o. Limited 98 Engineering SAD š.p. Poprad State company 554 Transport SCAMETATRA a.s. Joint -stock company 120 Engineering SINTRA s.r.o. Blava, OZ Zdroj PP Limited 480 Trade Slov. p ošta š.p. SPP Poprad State company 515 Mail services Slovenská sporitelna a.s. Poprad Joint -stock company 169 Finance Slovenské telekomunikácie a.s. Joint -stock company 255 Telecommunication SLOV-VIA a.s.závod 12 Joint -stock company 60 Road construction Sociálna poistovna, pobocka PP Public 92 Insurance SPP š.p. OZ Poprad State company 289 Gas supplier SSC, Správa a údržba Poprad Budgetary 138 Road construction Stavbár a.s. Poprad Joint -stock company 190 Building construction Stav.mechanizácia a doprava, a.s. Joint -stock company 41 Transport Stavomontáže Poprad a.s. Joint -stock company 170 Construction SVP, š.p. OZ PBaH, závod Poprad State company 171 Administration of Rivers TATRAKON s.r.o. Poprad Limited 170 Food processing Tatramat a.s. Poprad Joint -stock company 530 Engineering Tatrastav a.s. Joint -stock company 140 Construction Tatravagón s.r.o. Poprad Limited 170 Engineering TATRAVAGÓNKA a.s. Poprad Joint -stock company 2,250 Engineering Ústav TBC a RCH Contributively 192 Medical services Vsl. vodárne a kanalizácie šp State company 270 Pipe and sewage water VÚB a.s., pobocka Poprad Joint -stock company 190 Finance Wagonmarket s.r.o. Limited 38 Engineering Whirlpool Slovakia a.s. Poprad Joint -stock company 1,200 Engineering ŽSR -Správa elektrot.a energet PP State company 222 Railway ŽSR - Mzdová úctov. skupina PP State company 247 Railway Tourism Tourism is one of the main business activities in Poprad and the region. A number of large and small hotels offer comfortable conditions to different clientele. In the town of Poprad, there is an ice skating rink, a predominantly English -language cinema, a golf course featuring the world’s longest fairway and a variety of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. An aqua park was built over a geo- thermal spring and providing Poprad with its own water and heating. AquaCity comprises the very best accommodation as well as the latest spa facilities offering a range of thermal treatments and innovative therapies. 111 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) The City of Poprad is located south of the High Tatras National Park and is a center for tourism and leisure and a main gateway to the Tatras mountain range. There are a number of well-know ski centers in the High Tatras and a number of nearby smaller tourist attractions including the centers of Lopušná Dolina and Spišské Bystré. The Slovak Paradise National Park is situated 14 kilometers from Poprad and other nearby tourist attractions include rafting at Pieniny-Èervený Kláštor, the castle at Spišský hrad and the Demänovská caves. The city has relatively few cultural facilities, and there is a need for improved cultural and entertainment facilities. Poprad has a long tradition of organizing sporting events and there is a demand for a large sports hall. The town boasts suitable conditions for tourism development (geographical location, surroundings, accessibility), and it is necessary to elaborate on the tourism development concept, undertake promotion and city marketing, and further utilize the available geothermal water source. The development of recreational facilities is a challenge for the city representatives as well as for entrepreneurs. Over 350 kilometres of hiking trails cross the nearby countryside, as do hundreds of kilometers of mountain biking routes that vary in difficulty from the extremely rugged to the very gentle. Over the last thirty years or so, the High Tatras have played host to the World Ski Championships and European Ski Jumping Championships and more and more western visitors have joined Slovaks, Poles, Czechs, Hungarians and Russians on annual pilgrimages to the ski slopes. The High Tatras are home to the largest concentration of ski runs, jumps, cable cars and rental shops in the country. Ski centers are spread throughout the mountains and the Tatras Electrical Railway connects most of them. Good signage and easy -to-follow maps highlight ski routes. Almost every resort has at least one ski-rental shop close to the ski lift. The best known ski slopes are around Strbske Pleso, Stary and Novy Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica and Zdiar. Strbske Pleso and Tatranska Lomnica also offer night skiing. For non-skiers, the surrounding trails offer winter hikes. Some of the best walking and hiking in Europe await visitors to the region with over 13,000 km of clearly marked routes cutting through forests, glacial lakes and mounta ins. Demography With a population of 55,680 (2003) Poprad is experiencing a decline it its population. Poprad's population was lower in 2002 than in the previous year. The District of Poprad has a population of 104,356 inhabitants and the city of Poprad comprises 53.35 % of the district population. Demographic breakdowns are shown in the graphs below. A general trend in Poprad is the increase in the number of retired age-group, with an increase of 10.9% to 17.5% between 1995 and 2003. A similar trend is visible in the working age group which experienced a rise from 62.9% in 1995 to 71.14% in 2003. The main fall in numbers was recorded in the group of before working age that experienced a reduction, down from 26.2% to 11.32% in the same time period. Poprad's population density figures highlight that there are 883 citizens per square kilometer, and in terms of ethnic origin, the city's population is: Slovak (94%); Roma (1%) and Czech (1%). 65% of the population are Roman Catholics; 7% are Protestants, with 17% of the population being non-religious. In 2001, Poprad's population increased by 31, but this was offset by a population decline of 259 citizens in 2002 and 302 in 2003. The District of Poprad consists of three towns: Poprad, Svit a Vysoké and Tatry. The city of Poprad has the highest share of working age group from all of district’s towns, as well as from district itself. 112 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Natural movememt of population Migration 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 1,200 1,000 1,000 800 500 600 0 400 200 -500 -105 -148 -268 -438 -428 0 -290 -177 -212 -1,000 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 -1,500 life-brths deathhs natural movement immigrants emigrants +/- Total increase Comparison of total balance among towns in Poprad district (na 1000 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 obyv.) 10.0 300 266 5.0 200 117 0.0 100 60 -5.0 16 31 0 -10.0 -15.0 -100 -38 -20.0 -200 -259 -25.0 -300 -302 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Poprad Svit -400 Vysoké Tatry District of Poprad Education Educational trends show that there is a significant decrease in the number of people with a basic/elementary education. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of people finishing higher education and graduating from university. This is as a result of the activities of new educational institutions. Structure of Poprad District Type of Institution Number of Pupils Percentage (%) Elementary 25,524 24.7 Vocational School 20,553 19.9 Training Institution 17,274 16.8 Secondary School 2,875 2.8 University 5,806 5.6 Others 879 0.9 From the educational point of view, it is clear that the popu lation of the city with full secondary school education or university education is rising. 113 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Schools in Poprad Type of School Number Sector Nursery School (1,747 children) 12 State Special Nursery School 1 State Elementary Schools (6,682 pupils) 12 State, one church Alternative Elementary School 1 State Artist Elementary Schools 2 State, private Special Elementary School 1 State Center of Free Time 1 State Center of School’s Services 1 State Secondary Schools § Comprehensive Schools 2 State § Comprehensive School 1 Church § Business College 2 State, private § Medical School 1 State Vocational School § Technical College 1 State § Girl’s Vocational School 1 State § Training Schools (building construction, 4 State engineering, services, electrical) University § University of Matej Bel 1 Faculty of Economy, Management § Pedagogical University Prešov 1 University of Third Age § Poprad City University 1 Pedagogy § Church University Ružomberok 1 Management Nursing, management Other types of education (NGO) Language, Training, § Academy of education 1 Business Education § Regional Advisory Information Centre 1 Marketing, Management, Human § Centre of Science and Technique 1 resources Transport and Infrastructure Poprad lies on Slovakia’s main east-west highway and is approximately 328 kilometres east of Bratislava. The city is well connected to the rail network and is considered to be a rail terminus. A train depot is located adjacent to the railway station providing an opportunity to build a rail freight cargo transfer terminal. The station infrastructure does not however meet modern railway transport standards. The Poprad-Tatry Airport is located five kilometres west of Poprad. The airport is open year round and is capable of accommodating short and medium range airliners. Poprad-Tatry Airport presently handles international charter flights from Russia, the Ukraine, Germany and Bulgaria, and private and business flights. The city’s parking system is also influenced by the fact that the level of individual motorisation exceeds the national level. It is inevitable to solve the issue of parking areas both in urban areas (housing estates) with the highest population density as well as in the centre of the city, taking into consideration the incoming visitors. 114 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) DEVELOPING THE LED STRATEGY The Local Development Council stakeholders group were invited to assess the city’s competitive position, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and define key issues that should be taken into account in the LED strategy development process. SWOT Analysis Internal External Strengths Opportunities § Higher than average working age § Tradition of machine production in the city population in comparison to national or § Export potential of industrial enterprises regional average (Whirlpool, Tatramat, Tatravagónka) § Growth in the city’s financial sector § Landscape suitable for breeding of cattle and § Presence of Whirlpool Co. and sheep associated development activities § Development of housing savings/mortgages § Proximity of city to tourism attractions financing (4 national parks) § Privatisation of housing stock § Urban heritage reserve of Spišská Sobota § Poprad-Tatry Airport § Potential of geothermal springs at § Construction of D1 highway Positive Grebpark § Development of telecommunications sector § Location of city on main east-west § Preparation of tourism law transportation routes (road and rail) § List of housing applicants registered by § Air Rescue Service in Poprad supporting municipality tourism development § Cross-boarder cooperation with Poland § Kvetnica Medical Centre § EU Accession Programs § Kvetnica Recreational Zone § Possibility of cross-boarder co-operation with § International Mountain Films Festival Poland § Tradition of organizing sporting events § City candidacy for WOG § Effects of Regional Advisory and § Increased number of foreign supermarkets chains Information Center’s work § Privatization of agriculture § Construction of the new highway D1 Weaknesses Threats § Lack of LED institutional capacity § Aging population § Out-migration and population decline § Decline of agriculture sector § High unemployment rate § Weak construction sector § Low quality of tourism services § Unfinished water privatization pr ocess § Overloaded inner transportation system § Shortage in housing supply § Need of strategic development division § Increasing disparity between real income of within population and construction costs of § Existence of informal economy housing/rental costs Negative § Location of Tatrakon in the city center § Deteriorating housing stock § Existence of Brownfields § Lack of a geriatric department at hospital, and § Lack of Greenfield sites for industrial lack of accommodation facility for an develo pment oncological center § Lack of spatial planning § Unstable university education § Unfinished water treatment plant and § Insufficient financial transfers from central lack of investment in water and government wastewater system § Lack of housing § Imbalanced housing § Secondary insolvency § Lack of sport hall and conference center § Lack of local tourism organization 115 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Data collected as part of the SWOT analysis are formed into a “Report on State of the City”, with intention of est ablishing a regular updating of the document. This report describes the city profile from a number of viewpoints: history, overall geographical position, demographic data, unemployment status, economy, transport, administration, city finances and budget, spatial management, infrastructure, housing, health, education, sport and culture, environment. This comprehensive document forms a good basis on which to formulate the SWOT analysis. Results of Business Attitude Survey In addition to this report, the city taskforce team undertook a business attitude survey to identify the opinions of businessmen and women on the state of the entrepreneurial environment. The business attitude survey was undertaken in the summer of 2001 and questioned 65 local businesses . 30 responses were received and the results are listed below. Key factors identified as hindering business development include: § Cost of energy and materials § State rules and limitations § High interest rates of credits and lack of credits § Foreign competit ion From those business surveyed, almost 40% of production/services are sold locally within the District of Poprad; 24% are sold within Eastern Slovakia and 18% of products are exported outside of Slovakia. In order to enhance the business environment, businesses identified transportation infrastructure, the attraction of foreign investments, the building of industrial parks, and better marketing of the city and tourism development as being key factors. Results of Business Attitude Survey were presented to the Local Development Council in October 2001. During the discussion, LDC members expressed the need for tourism development, together with improvement in transportation connection, especially the better utilization of Poprad airport. VISION Based on the results of the local economy assessment and discussions held in October 2001, the LDC adopted the following vision for Poprad’s development: “In 2010, the City of Poprad will be a dynamically developing municipal unit, with developed citizen- oriented municipal democracy, fully integrated into the European Community of local governments, characterised by attractive socio-economic conditions and environment, providing an interesting spectrum of entrepreneurial opportunities for the location of domesti c as well as international investments.” 116 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) LED Goals, Objectives, Program and Projects The “Report on State of the City” together with the improved SWOT analysis were presented to the Local Development Council at the end of May 2002, prior to the Local Council meeting. Discussion occurred and comments were received. After incorporation of the LDC comments into the Report, SWOT analysis, LED strategy goals and revision of first version of the city development vision, the whole document was presented on the Local Council meeting. The detailed and advanced LED Strategy with developed objectives and programs was elaborated on in the second half of 2002 as 2002 was a year of municipal elections (as well as Slovak parliament elections). The Strategy was approved by the new Local Council of Poprad. 117 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) POPRAD LED ‘VISION TO PROJECTS’ MATRIX Vision Goals Objectives Programs Projects “In 2010 the city of G1: To expand G1:O1: To promote City of G1:O1:PG1: Historical tourist G1:O1:PG1: p1 : Revitalization of Spiska Sobota Poprad will be tourist industry in Poprad as tourist destination and attractions program project dynamically developing Poprad. increase number of visitors in the G1:O1:PG1: p2 : Revitalization of Velka project municipal unit, with city. Measured by number of G1:O1:PG1: p3 : Spiska Sobota tourism promotion developed citizen visits project G1:O1:PG2: Business tourism G1:O1:PG2: p1 : Congress Center project oriented municipal program democracy, fully G1:O1:PG3: Recreation tourism G1:O1:PG3: p1 : Aqua park project integrated into European program G1:O1:PG3: p2 : Tourist exhibition In Krakow community of local G1:O1:PG3: p3 : Tourist exhibition in Prague and governments, Berlin - co-participation characterized by G1:O2: To develop complex and G1:O2:PG1: Development of G1:O2:PG1: p1 : Days of the town Poprad effective and transparent integrated regional (Poprad and existing tourism attractions self-governing High Tatras) tourist offer in next program. apparatus, attractive two years and increase tourism G1:O2:PG2: Development of new G1:O2:PG2: p1 : Bicycle path socio-economic visits. Measured by number of tourism products program. G1:O2:PG2: p2 : International festival of movies conditions and visits environment, providing G2: To expand G2:O1: To expand SME base G2:O1:PG1: SME Support G2:O1:PG1: p1 : Training program for beginners quality technical economic base of (measured by SME employment program G2:O1:PG1: p2 : Financial incentives program for infrastructure and Poprad growth) SME interesting spectrum of G2:O2: To attract inward G2:O2:PG1: Preparation of G2:O2:PG1: p1 : Revitalization of postindustrial entrepreneur investments (number and amount industrial and commercial sites. facilities opportunities for of investments). G2:O2:PG1: p2 : Matejowice Greenfield project location of domestic as G2:O2:PG2: Development of G1:O2:PG2: p1 : Industrial development project well as foreign industrial cluster. investments.” G2:O3: To increase export of G2:O3:PG1: SMEs. Export G2:O3:PG1: p1 : Introduction to European markets local companies (export value per program project employee) G2:O4: Workforce development G2:O4:PG1: Development of G2:O4:PG1: p1 : Vocational training meets industry (educational structure of qualified and skilled employees demand for skilled workforce employed population) according to existing demand. G2:O5: Promotion of IT usage in G2:O5:PG1: Program for G2:O5:PG1: p1 : Introduction in internet business (increase of businesses’ supporting of IT technologies. possibilities to Poprad companies internet connections and domains 118 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) G3: To expand G3:O1: Development of G3:O1:PG1: Hard infrastructure G3:O1:PG1: p1 : Rebuilding of the crossroads in Sp. technical infrastructure improving business development program Sobota-Vagonarska Street infrastructure of environment G3:O1:PG1: p2 : Connection of Srobarova and the city Tajoskeho street G3:O1:PG1: p3 : Adjustment of the local crossroads Hranicna, Slovenskeh G3:O1:PG1: p4 : Rebuilding of the crossroads in Sp. Sobota, school neighbourhood preparation G3:O1:PG1: p5 : Master plan of Poprad G3:O1:PG1: p6 : Reconstruction of Moyzesowa and I/18 street crossroads G3:O1:PG1: p7 : Revitalisation study of the center of Matejowice G3:O1:PG1: p8 : Reconstruction of the centre of Velka II G3:O1:PG1: p9 : Reconstruction of D Tatarka st. pavement G3:O2: Development of G3:O2:PG1: Housing development G3:O2:PG1: p1 : Study for social and Roma’s infrastructure improving quality program housing of life G3:O2:PG1: p2 : Technical facilities for housing construction Poprad Matejowice G3:O2:PG1: p3 : Technical facilities for housing construction Poprad Straze G3:O2:PG2: Revitalisation G3:O2:PG2: p1 : Completing of stairs to program Immaculate Straze G3:O2:PG3: Infrastructure for G3:O2:PG3: p1 : Construction project recreation documentation for football stadium Poprad Straze G3:O2:PG3: p2 : Multifunctional sport hall construction documentation G4: To strength G4:O1: Establishment of G4:O1:PG1: Staff training program G4:O1:PG1: p1 : Staff training project public integrated management system G4:O1:PG2: New management G4:O1:PG2: p1 : CIP development project administration in focused on strategy tools program city of Poprad implementation G4:O1:PG2: p2 : MIS development project G4:O1:PG2: p3 : Implementation of multiyear financial planning project G4:O1:PG2: p4 : Establishment of the LED department 119 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) G4:O2: Increase of prepared G4:O2:PG1: Project management G4:O2:PG1: p1 : Project development workshops projects financed/cofinanced from program external sources G4:O3: Citizen/businesses G4:O3:PG1: Citizen and G4:O3:PG1: p1 : Information ‘kiosk’ project oriented administration system businesses information program G4:O3:PG1: p2 : ‘One-stop’ shop project G5: To expand G5:O1: Institutional development G5:O1:PG1: Non-governmental G5:O1:PG1: p1 : NGOs forum and improve social of local community (number of sector development program services organisations and associations) G5:O1:PG2: Youth support G5:O1:PG2: p1 : Return sport for youth program G5:O2: Human resources G5:O2:PG1: School education G5:O2:PG1: p1 : Renovation of school buildings development (educational program project structure of community) G5:O2:PG1: p2 : ICT in schools G5:O2:PG2: After -school G5:O2:PG2: p1 : Vocational trainings education program G5:O2:PG2: p2 : IT for adults training project G5:O2:PG3: Development of G5:O2:PG3: p1 : Days of the town of Poprad cultural activities G5:O2:PG3: p2 : Spisska Sobota festiwal G5:O2:PG4: Development of sport G5:O2:PG4: p1 : School Olympic games fro and leisure time activities children and youth of Poprad G5:O2:PG4: p2 : Tatra skiing league G5:O2:PG4: p3 : Euro league of mountain bicycles G5:O2:PG4: p4 : Tournament of three cities G5:O2:PG4: p5 : Days of sport G5:O2:PG4: p6 : Run of Olympic day G5:O3: Reduction of social G5:O3:PG1: Equal chance program G5:O3:PG1: p1 : Trip for active members of exclusion (number of homeless, pensioner’s club social benefits expenditures) G5:O3:PG1: p2 : Pensioner’s clubs G5:O3:PG1: p3 : Roma’s educational projects 120 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) IV. STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION A strategy implementation plan called the Poprad Marketing Plan is a part of the City of Poprad’s strategic planning system. According to the timeline outlined below, different partners are working on the annually updated Strategy Implementation Plan following the steps listed below: § Annual Local Economy Assessment § Needs assessment, key issue identification and planning guidelines § Collection of project requests § Project selection and draft strategy preparation § Multi-year financial forecast and creditworthiness analysis, and the establishment of local tax rates, local fees and city debt policy § Strategy implementation plan approval. The following partners will participate in the annual cycle of Strategy development and implementation: § City Council § Mayor § Steering committee § Municipal departments and other city units § Entrepreneurs, NGOs and citizens Jan Feb. Mar Apr. May Oct. Nov. Dec. 1 21 15 30 31 15 15 15 Taxes, Fees, Debt policy Approval of Strategy Implementation Plan Planning Guidelines collection of project Annual City Report Needs Assessment Project Selection Development and The Marketing Plan of Poprad (2004-2006) is going to be the basic direction for actions of the municipality of Poprad for next three years that will be limited by the approved budget for each single year. The local council of the town of Poprad will approve the municipal budget for 2004during its session in November 2004 and the strategy implementation plan for this year is represented by the approved projects. Within the Cities of Change project, the long-term financial predictions have been elaborated via the utilization of the programming tools of the GFAM and MIP. As a prediction parameter, the basis of the state budgetary proposal were used. The main goal of such afinancial analysis to estimate the development of the revenue and expenditure of the town budget and the ability of the town to realize its development projects, eventually to its financial resources by the means of credits and the credit capacity of the town. The output of the analysis results in the graph which illustrates the relationship among the investment coverage and debt servicing by the means of free funds (a difference between revenues without credits and running cost without the debt servicing), a budgetary surplus and potential credit resources. The budget for the year 2004 has been approved as a balanced budget, that is why the free funds amount is 121 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) identical with the debt servicing and investment volume. Following the estimation of maintenance of the capital cost amount for coming years at least at the volume of the year 2004, we get to the conclusion that such an investment tempo is possible to keep without any parameters changeing only in case of gradual spending/consuming of the accumulated budgetary surplus. DEBT SERVICING (SKK in thousands) 50 000 Principal instalment 45 000 Debt instalment 40 000 35 000 30 000 25 000 20 000 15 000 10 000 5 000 0 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004* 2006* 2008* Financial Analysis of Poprad Town 140 000 Free funds Credit participation 120 000 Surplus Debt servicing Investments 100 000 80 000 60 000 40 000 20 000 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Analyzing City priorities and available financial resources following projects were selected for implementation. 122 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) V. CITY OF POPRAD PROJECTS MATRIX Strategy To expand tourist industry To expand the economic Goals administration in city of To expand and improve infrastructure of city To expand technical To strength public base of Poprad social services in Poprad Poprad LED Projects Master plan of Poprad X X Study for social and Roma’s housing X X Revitalisation study of the centre of Matejovce X X X Reconstruction of the center of Velka II. Phase X X X Construction project documentation for football stadium Poprad X Straze Technical facilities for housing construction Poprad Matejovce X Technical facilities for housing construction Poprad Stráže X Multifunctional sport hall: construction documentation, EIA X X Connection of Srobarova and Tajovskeho street X Completing of stairs to Immaculate Straze X X Bicycle path X X Adjustment of the local crossroads: Hranicna, Slovenského odboja a Wolkerova - preparation X Rebuilding of the crossroads in Sp. Sobota-Vagonárska St. school X X neighbourhood-preparation Rebuilding of the crossroads in Sp. Sobota-Vagonárska St . X X Reconstruction of Moyzesova and I-18 street crossroad-traffic lights X X Reconstruction of D. Tatarka street pavement X X Days of the town Poprad X X Information “kiosks” project X X X International festival of Mountain movies X X Trip for active members of pensioner's club X Pensioners' clubs X Return sport to youth X X X Congress Center project X X Aqua park X X Tourist exhibitions X Tourist exhibition in Prague and Berlin co participation X Spiska Sobota tourist promotion project X Training program for beginners X Finance incentives program for SME X Revitalization of post industrial facilities X X Matejowice Greenfield project X X Industrial development project X X Vocational training meets industry demand for skilled workforce X X Introduction in Internet possibilities to Poprad companies X X Staff training project X CIP development project X MIS development project X Implementation of multiyear financial planning project X ‘One-stop shop’ project X Establishment of LED department X 123 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) POPRAD PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN City of Poprad LED Projects Funding Sources (%) Project Total State Implementing Targeted Group / No. Project Title City Private Community Starting Duration Value European Partners Beneficiaries Govt. Sector Date Union 1. Master plan of Poprad 800,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority July 2004 7 months City government Study for social and Roma ethnic group 2. 200,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority August 2004 3 months Roma’s housing 3. Revitalisation study of 300,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority August 2004 2 months Matejovce village the centre of Matejovce community Reconstruction of the Velka village 4. centre of Velka II. Phase 4,260,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority 2004 12 months community, businesses Construction project Football clubs, documentation for September Youth 5. 250,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority 2 months football stadium Poprad 2004 Straze Technical facilities for Matejovce village 6. housing construction 1,000,000 75% 25% 0% 0% Local authority July 2004 5 months community Poprad Matejovce Technical facilities for Local community 7. housing construction 1,000,000 75% 25% 0% 0% Local authority July 2004 4 months Poprad Straze Multifunctional sport Community 8. hall: construction 1,850,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority August 2004 5 months documentation, EIA Connection of Srobarova Local community 9. 2,200 000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority July 2004 4 months and Tajovskeho street Completing of stairs to Local community 10. 370,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority After 2004 2 months Immaculate Straze Communities of Poprad, Svit, Spisska 11. Bicycle path 16,600 20% 70% 10% 0% Local authority June 2004 6 months Teplica, visitors, tourists 124 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Adjustment of the local crossroads ‘Hranicna, September 12. 70,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority 1 month Local community Slovenského odboja a 2004 Wolkerova’ - preparation Rebuilding of the crossroads in Sp. Sobota- September 13 Vagonárska street, school 150,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority 2004 1 month Local community neighbourhood - preparation Rebuilding of the September 14. crossroads in Sp. Sobota - 500,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority 2 months Local community 2004 Vagonárska street Reconstruction of Moyzesova and I-18 14. 4,000,000 75% 0% 15% 0% Local authority May 2004 2 months Local community street crossroad – traffic lights Reconstruction of D. 15. 2,100,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority July 2004 2 months Local community Tatarka st. pavement Aug / Sep Citizens, visitors, twin 16. Days of the town Poprad 80,000 87% 0% 13% 0% Local authority 1 week 2004 cities Information “kiosks” 17. 500,000 100% 0% 0% 0% Local authority March 2004 3 months Citizens, visitors project Foundation International festival of October 18. 1,200,000 25% 0% 60% 15% Mountain Movies, 2 weeks Citizens, tourists Mountain movies 2004 local authority Trip for active members Local authority, 19. 300,000 100% 0% 0% 0% April 2004 1 week Senior club members of pensioner’s club senior clubs Local authority, 20. Pensioners’ clubs 650,000 92% 0% 8% 0% 2004 12 months Pensioners senior clubs Local authority Youth, children, sport clubs January 21. Return sport to youth 400,000 85 % 5% 5% 5% 12 months community private sector 2004 tourists community Total Value: 22,196,600 125 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) CITY OF POPRAD LED ACTION PLANS Project: Establishment of Development Program Type(s): Department with LED Responsibilities Local Government Improvement of Decision Making Processes Short Description of the Project: Municipality of Poprad as a reformed oriented town has tried to implement many new instruments, techniques, and methods in decision -making processes. These facts helped the municipality to take a membership in Cities of Change project supported by the Bertelsmann foundation and The World Bank. Working team was learnt about the Strategic management technique and for its implementation within the municipality is evitable to change an organizational structure and create a new section or department that will be responsible for development activities of the town. Newly developed department will be responsible for collecting data, preparing basic documents for decision makers, organizing effort of strategy making processes, coordinating the processes within the municipality a.s.o. The economic effects would be many; the most important will be a fact that the municipality will understand his strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats; decision makers will have very well developed analysis, the tow n will have its Vision and Strategy based on economic facts and SWOT analysis connecting to the capital investment plan. Establishment of development department with LED responsibilities will open possibilities for special kind of activities focusing on Strategic Management and multiyear financial planning processes. Expected Results : Target Group(s): § Implementation of Strategic management Municipality within municipality Decision makers § Coordination of processes within municipality Community § Development of analysis (SWOT, CBA) § Development of Vision and Strategy § Improvement of decision makers processes § Involvement of citizens into decision-making Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Professional opinion, comments Community Promotion, voluntary work, technical assistance, comments Public organizations Experts, technical support, comments Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Strong support from politicians and mayor Not adequate data or lack of data Educated staff Co-operation within departments Technical support Support Estimated Costs : Full-time person (1-2): 150,000-300,000 Sk. Technical support (e.g. PC, printer, phone, room): 200,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: January 2004 First evaluation: August 2004 Second evaluation: January 2005 126 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project : Program Type(s): Reconstruction of Velká Neighborhood Urban Development , Hard Infrastructure Project for Public Investment Short Description of the Project: Municipality of Poprad consists of six suburbs, which centers had started to be revitalized in 1996. Priority was given to the center of Poprad as a main part of the suburbs, which was followed by the center of Spišská Sobota as a main historical part of Poprad, and the third chosen center for reconstruction was the center of Velká. Reconstruction of Velká neighborhood was started in 2002 and the II. phase of the project should be finished in 2004. Project is completely focused on the hard infrastructure (e.g. water supply pipes, sewage, telecommunication cables, electricity supply) as well as on architectural revitalization of neighborhood. The economic effects would be many; the most important is a fact of modernization of infrastructure, improvement of environment, support for SMEs, and support for tourist-oriented businesses. Reconstruction of Velká neighborhood will open possibilities and create preconditions for new investments in that part of the town that can improve unemployment rate in Poprad by creating new jobs. Revitalization of center will open possibilities for new tourist attractions as well as for cultural events. Expected Results : Target Group(s): § Improves the hard infrastructure Community § Encourages the development of private business Business community § Creates preconditions for new investments Society § Intensifies the development of services Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Developer, technical support Society Comments, ideas Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Building permit issued Low budget in comparison to the value of the project Ownership clarified Completed financing from different sources Estimated Costs : II. Phase: 4,260,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : II. Period Commencement within 2004 First evaluation: after 1 month of operation Second evaluation: after 6 months of operation Third evaluation: after one year 127 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Return Sport to Youth Local Government Improved Services Short Description of the Project: Town of Poprad as a several times candidate town for Olympic games has got a big tradition in organizing sport activities within the town as well as in the High Tatras region. Poprad is represented by many sportsmen all over the world who have become European and some of them even World champions. Such success is achieved because of very good developed work with children and youth. Municipality of Poprad annually organizes a lot of events focusing on young people but the most popular are s ports activities. Return Sport to youth project represents a calendar of sport events for the year 2004: § Reception of Slovakia, Europe, World champion's) § Reception of the best sportsman of the town Poprad § School Olympic games fro children and youth of Poprad § Tatra skiing league § Euro league of mountain bicycles § Pupil league of Poprad § Spiš league § Challenge day § Run of Olympic day § Street ball tournament § Days of sport § Boyard § Tournament of three cities We can hardly find a financial profit from this project but on the other hand there is very big economical one. Looking at our youth as our future we need to enforce ourselves to create a friendly environment for them as well as for all society. Many young people have to cope with such kind of problems like drugs, crime, and alcohol because of lack interest from parents or society. There is a big challenge also for Poprad community to create some precondition for such kind of events for young people that attract them and invite them to organize their own free time together with others. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Improvement of sport activities Children, youth Support for young people Society Decline of crime Twin cities Encourage of partnership Sport community from the region Friendly environment Tourists Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipalities Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Co-financing, technical assistance Sport association Promotion, voluntary work, technical assistance Public donors. Financial support Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Partnership Public donors co-financing Leadership Weather Partnership Estimated Costs : 400,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : 2004: Mainly during the Summer season Evaluation after each event 128 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Adjustment of the Local Crossroads : Hranicna, Hard Infrastructure Slovenského odboja a Wolkerova - Preparation Public Investment Short Description of the Project: Streets are situated in the town centre. The roads are currently in a very bad condition because of the old infrastructure and insufficient maintenance from 90s. These roads are asphalted but damaged. These roads connect the center of the town to other roads. Project would like to solve the problem of crossing these streets each other. Character of these streets has changed completely during the last days. There are many public buildings beside this road such as: elementary school, kindergarten, a number of businesses, social center etc. This affected also the density of transport, which has caused many traffic accidents for last time. Traffic inspectors prepared a plan for solving traffic problems and the main goal of the project is its implementation. Rehabilitation and asphalting of these town roads will improve the road infrastructure of the town, creates preconditions for the opening of new businesses, existing businesses, and will help for continuing this road in other neighborhoods. Close to this road is the railway station and through a bridge it connects to the other side of the town. The project is fully justified considering the sensitive infrastructure of the municipality. Project will save time for citizens, environment and there will be also another economical effect because of petrol savings. Expected Results : Target Group(s): improvement of transport infrastructure Citizens live in the area less traffic accidents Society solving traffic problems creates preconditions for opening of new businesses creates preconditions for better connections with other parts of the town Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Developers Technical assistance Society Opinion, comments Prerequisites : Risk Factors : correspondence to Master Plan financing completed financing feasibility study Estimated Costs : Total costs: 70,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : September 2004 November 2004 January 2005 129 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Matejovce Housing Project : Zoning, Technical Hard Infrastructure Planning, Hard Infrastructure Public Investment, State Fund for Housing Development Short Description of the Project: Demographic statistical data for the year 2003 affirms supposed negative trends of the number of citizens of the city of Poprad for the next years. The number of inhabitants of the city continuously declines and it reached 55 680 citizens of which were 28 881 (51,87 %) females in December 31st 2003. The number of citizens in the district of Poprad was lower in 2002 than in the previous year and this fact is the same for the year 2003. Dynamics of natural movement of population has declined rapidly from the year 1990 in Poprad. From the value 631 by 958 births and 327 deaths in the year 1990 till 126 (494 births and 368 deaths) in 2003. Migration balance has ran into negative numbers from the year 1996 to 2003 and the share of emigrants has been g oing up from the year 2000. Decrease caused by migration was represented by -105 people in 1996 but in 2003 it was even – 426 people. The development of completed flats has been not favourable in the Poprad during the last years. The number of completed flats is really low in comparison to the year 1989. While in 1989 there was built 1209 flats in the district of Poprad in 2003 it was 295, in 2002 it was 205, in 2001it was 228, in 2000 it was 270, in 1999 it was only 339 flats, in 1998 it was 137 flats and in 1997 it was only 119 flats. The number of individual building houses represents 74.6 % from the amount. The housing stock included 28 205 flats, with density 3.47 person per flat, in the district of Poprad in 1991. This situation is under the Slovak’s average one because for instance in 1996 the average housing stock was 29 757 flats with 3.43 person per flat. During 1995 -2000 there was built 966 flats in the district of Poprad, which was less than before the 1990 per one year. All those facts definitely effect housing conditions in Poprad and present some negative trends that have to be come with. Politicians as well as representatives of municipality have prepared Housing Policy Strategy for 2002 – 2004. Main goal of the Strategy is increase number of finishing flats and houses by promotion of construction. Municipality decided to use as much as possible of affordable resource from the State Found for Housing Development and EU funds. Objective of Matejovce housing project is to developed an urban study (zoning, technical planning) and create preconditions for single or semidetached houses building. Project will create about 10 – 15 plots for private houses in Matejovce Cadastre and improve land quality by building hard infrastructure. Strong financial effect will be achieved mainly by improving the land quality by building hard infrastructure. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Zoning, technical planning Citizens Development of preconditions for housing construction Developers and improvement of hard infrastructure Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Developers Co-financing, technical assistance Society Opinion, comments Citizens Purchasers Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Very high costs for improving the land quality Completed financing Not very high favourable location Environmental balance Lack of interest Estimated Costs : Total costs: 1,000,000 Sk. Municipality 75%: 750,000 Sk. SFHD 25%: 250,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : July 2004-December 2004 September 2004 January 2005 130 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Stráže Housing Project: Zoning, Technical Hard Infrastructure Planning, Hard Infrastructure Public Investment , State Fund for Housing Development Short Description of the Project: Demographic statistical data for the year 2003 confirms negative trends in the number of citizens of the city of Poprad for the next years. The number of inhabitants of the city continuously declines reached 55, 680 cit izens of which were 28 881 (51,87 %) females in December 31st 2003. Dynamics of natural movement of population has declined rapidly from the year 1990 in Poprad. From the value 631 by 958 births and 327 deaths in the year 1990 till 126 (494 births and 368 deaths) in 2003. Migration balance has ran into negative numbers from the year 1996 to 2003 and the share of emigrants has been going up from the year 2000. Decrease caused by migration was represented by -105 people in 1996 but in 2003 it was even – 426 people. The development of completed flats has been not favorable in the Pop rad during the last years. The number of completed flats is really low in comparison to the year 1989. While in 1989 there was built 1209 flats in the district of Poprad in 2003 it was 295, in 2002 it was 205, in 2001it was 228, in 2000 it was 270, in 1999 it was only 339 flats, in 1998 it was 137 flats and in 1997 it was only 119 flats. The number of individual building houses represents 74.6 % from the amount. The housing stock included 28 205 flats, with density 3.47 person per flat, in the district of Poprad in 1991. This situation is under the Slovak’s average one because for instance in 1996 the average housing stock was 29 757 flats with 3.43 person per flat. During 1995 -2000 there was built 966 flats in the district of Poprad, which was less than bef ore the 1990 per one year. All those facts definitely effect housing conditions in Poprad and present some negative trends that have to be come with. Politicians as well as representatives of municipality have prepared Housing Policy Strategy for 2002 – 2004. Main goal of the Strategy is increase number of finishing flats and houses by promotion of construction. Municipality decided to use as much as possible of affordable resource from the State Found for Housing Development and EU funds. Objective of Stráže housing project is to developed an urban study (zoning, technical planning) and create preconditions for single or semidetached houses building. Project will create about 10 – 15 plots for private houses in Stráže Cadastre and improve land quality by building hard infrastructure. Strong financial effect will be achieved mainly by improving the land quality by building hard infrastructure. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Zoning, technical planning Citizens Development of preconditions for housing construction Developers and improvement of hard infrastructure Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Developers Co-financing, technical assistance Society Opinion, comments Citizens Purchasers Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Very high costs for improving the land quality Completed financing Not very high favourable location Environmental balance Lack of interest Estimated Costs : Total costs: 1,000,000 Sk. Municipality 75%: 750,000 Sk. SFHD 25%: 250,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : July 2004-November 2004 September 2004 January 2005 131 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Multifunctional Sports Hall Infrastructure Public Finance Short Description of the Project: The official report “Development of the Town in Period 1999-2002” accepted that the main tasks for the period are divided into four areas: construction and environment, social area, support for the culture, sports and education, and regional co -operation and self-government development. Poprad as a previous candidate town for the Olympic Games has a well prepared Master Plan that focuses on sports facilities; however, construction of sports facilities within the town has not occurred. Decision makers together with private businesses proposed the development of a Congress Hall many years ago but were unable to secure the necessary resources. Newly elected members of the local parliament suggested the preparation of a technical document for a Multifunctional Sport Hall with possible use for congresses. The multifunctional and multi-use Sports Hall is a big project (approximately 2 million Sk) and will be cofinanced by EU funds. One of the basic conditions for the application is a building permit and therefore the municipality of Poprad must prepare supporting technical documentation to achieve this. The project will open the possibility to organizing and holding sport as well as cultural events in Poprad, and the Hall will also provide enough room for congresses to take place. Such a center will be unique within the Region of the High Tatras, and it is envisaged that the multifunctional sports hall will be used by public, as well as private and NGO, sectors. The Sports Hall will provide a number of rooms also for use by private companies, indirectly creating new jobs. Covering of marketing gap will be one of possible economical effect. Best practice shows that such complex spend enormous money for maintenance and therefore is evitable to construct the hall in a way that it creates a places for businesses and leisure activities for covering them. These .activities will provide services either for citizens or for tourist. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Construction documentation, EIA Sport clubs Precondition for EU funds Sport community Citizens Businesses Tourists Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipalities Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Technical design Sport clubs Promotion, technical assistance Public donors Financial support Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Public donors co-financing Clarified ownership Completed financing from different sources Estimated Costs : Public finance: 1,850,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : August 2004-January 2005 First evaluation after 1 month Second evaluation after 3 months Third evaluation after 5 months 132 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Reconstructi on of the Football Stadium in Poprad- Sport Facility Stráže Public Investment, Structural Funds Short Description of the Project: Poprad Stráže Football Club represents Poprad in football league. Main support of the municipality is oriented to the Poprad and Velká football courts although those clubs dropped out form the contest. Representatives from the Stráže Football Club asked decision makers for support their activities focusing on reconstruction of Football Station. Politicians suggested to prepare technical documentation and financial study for the project. Project itself supports football community in Stráže and improves sport and cultural activities in one urban part of Poprad. There is no direct financial effect by implementat ion of the project but on the other hand cost benefit analysis points many facts that can improve quality of life of citizens in Poprad. Implementation of project creates opportunity for youth and football players to use actively spare time and prevent them from crime and alcohol. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Technical documentation, financial study Football clubs Building permission Youth Citizens Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Football clubs Co-financing, technical assistance Donors Co-financing Citizens Voluntary work Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Completed financing Co-financing Clarified ownership Estimated costs : 250 000,- Sk Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : September 2004 November 2004 133 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Reconstruction of Velká Neighborhood Urban Development, Hard Infrastructure Project for Public Investment Short Description of the Project: The municipality of Poprad consists of six suburbs which had started to be revitalized in 1996. Priority was given to the center of Poprad as a main part of the suburbs; this was followed by the center of Spišská Sobota as a main historical part of Poprad, and the third chosen center for reconstruction was the center of Velká. The reconstruction of the Velká neighborhood was started in 2002 and the II. phase of the project should be finished in 2004. This project is focused on the hard infrastructure (e.g. water supply pipes, sewage, telecommunication cables, electricity supply) as well as on the architectural revitalization of neighborhood. The economic effects would be many; the most important being the modernization of infrastructure, improvement of environment, support for SMEs and support for tourist-oriented businesses. The reconstruction o f the Velká neighborhood will open possibilities and create preconditions for new investments in that part of the town, serving to reduce the unemployment rate in Poprad by creating new jobs. Revitalization of center will create possibilities for new tourist at tractions as well as for cultural events. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Improves the hard infrastructure Community Encourages the development of private business Business community Creates preconditions for new investments Society Intensifies the development of services Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Developer, technical support Society Comments, ideas Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Building permit issued Low budget in comparison to the value of the Ownership clarified project Completed financing from different sources Estimated Costs : II. Phase: 4,260,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: II. Period Commencement: Within 2004 First evaluation: after 1 month of operation Second evaluation: after 6 months of operation Third evaluation: after one year 134 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Revitalization of Matejovce Neighborhood Hard Infrastructure Public Investment Short Description of the Project: Even though the town of Poprad is the 10th largest town in Slovakia, fewer blocks of flats have been developed in the last ten years than during 1988 alone. While the population has declined, there is a rise in the number of people per square meter in these flats. Elected members of the local council started to consider this reality and according the Master plan of Poprad, have chosen an area for single housing construction site. One possible site for such kinds of activities is Matejovce. The project is focused on the development of an urban study, a feasibility study and technical documentation. Very strong economic development effect can be achieved by improving the land quality (development of hard infrastructure) and creating some preconditions for single housing construction. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Urban study, feasibility study, technical documentation Decision makers Development of preconditions for housing construction Citizens and improvement of hard infrastructure Developers Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Co-financing, technical assistance Society Opinion, comments Citizens purchasers Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Non attractive area for purchasers Completed financing Very high costs for improving the land quality Environmental balance Proximity of industrial zone Estimated Costs : 300,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : August 2004-October 2004 First evaluation after presentation of urban and feasibility study Second evaluation after presentation of technical project 135 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Social Housing for Roma’s Community Hard Infrastructure Public Investment, Structural Funds Short Description of the Project: Population of Poprad is about 50 000 citizens and the Roma’s community is represented by less than 1% of population. Regardless of this municipality must cope with many problems connecting to the community especially near by the centers of urban parts of the town. Aim of the project is pointed to the community that is located in Matejovce. Roma’s families have live exactly in the town centre for many years and they completely destroyed the building. Municipality of Poprad did not invest a lot of money to maintain the house and presently the town hall has got some warnings from public administration about the condition of building. Decision makers decided to revitalize the centre and to find appropriate location for new social housing. After a long discussion with stakeholders an area was chosen. Project is solving not just a housing problem but also employment of the community mainly by self-employment . Project is focused on development of urban study, feasibility study and technical documentation for building permission. Very strong economical effect can be achieved mainly by helping Roma’s families to build houses in very good quality standard and at the same time to provide them with jobs. Municipality will provide 10 % of financial sources and 90 % will be applied from the Structural fund within the Operational program Basic infrastructure. Expected Results : Target Group(s): Urban study, feasibility study, technical documentation Decision makers Development of preconditions for housing construction Roma’s families and improvement of hard infrastructure Developers Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Private businesses Co-financing, technical assistance Society Opinion, comments Citizens Comments Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Very high costs for improving the land quality Completed financing Roma’s community Environmental balance Estimated Costs : Total costs: 2,000,000 Sk. Municipality (10%): 200,000 Sk. Structural fund (80%): 1,600,000 Sk. State government (10%): 200,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact : Application: From August 2004 First evaluation: After presentation of urban and Realization: 2005 feasibility study Second evaluation: After presentation of technical project 136 STRATEGY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF POPRAD (2002 – 2010) Project: Program Type(s): Street Reconstruction : Šrobárova and Tajovského Hard Infrastructure Public Investment Short Description of the Project: Streets are situated in South-East part of the settlement JUH V.,VI. The roads are currently in a very bad condition because of the old infrastructure and insufficient maintenance from 90s. These roads are asphalted but damaged. Project would like to solve the problem of connection those streets because the previous road plan created some barriers for cars not to use them as transport road. Although those barriers protect children commuting to school from the nearby block of flats the density of car has risen enormously and the mainly Šrobárova street is heavily used. Traffic jam can be solved by streets’ reconstruction. This project is fully justified not only in the economic aspect but also in other aspects of life. With the implementation of this project, 3.000 inhabitants of this area would gain directly, respectively indirectly would gain about 6.000 inhabitants of surrounding areas. Asphalting of this road creates possibilities for the spreading of the street in this key area. Project will save time for citizens, environment and there will be also economical effect because of petrol savings. Preparatory works (mark the line, demolish existing barriers, dig the ground etc.); Works of the lower base (cover with gravel, build the pier, build the tampon layer with compression from gravel, dig drainage canals, supply and set pipes etc.); Works of the upper base (cover with gravel, supply, transport, put and compress tar and gravel of 50cm thickness.). Expected Results : Target Group(s): Improvement of traffic infrastructure Citizens live in the area Less traffic accidents Solving traffic problems Possible Stakeholders : Possible Contributions to the Project: Municipality Project manager, financial support, technical assistance Developers Technical assistance, Society Opinion, comments Prerequisites : Risk Factors : Correspondence to Master Plan Financing Completed financing Building permit Project Motivation of the community to be involved in the project Estimated Costs : Total costs: 2,200,000 Sk. Time for Implementation : Time to Impact: July 2004-December 2004 January 2005 After one year 137