site.btaChair of Community Centres Foundation: Community Centres Across Bulgaria Evolve into Local Ombudsman Role

In some areas, active community centres have effectively evolved into 'local ombudsmans' while addressing the needs of local residents, Chair of Fondaciya Narodni Chitalishta (Community Centres Foundation) Yuriy Vulkovski said on Monday during the annual meeting of municipalities in the Black Sea resort of Albena.

Vulkovski presented the views of those working in community centres regarding the challenges they face in various localities across Bulgaria. "It seems to me that there are many myths in the relationships between municipalities and community centres. Among the complaints from some community centres is that municipalities do not understand them," Vulkovski said.

Vulkovski noted that he conducted a study and found that the number of community centres in the register does not match the figures shown in the data from the National Statistical Institute.

Vulkovski said that community centres are not a priority for the Ministry of Culture because their purpose is not well understood. He noted that these centres learn from each other. "They don't like others coming to tell them what to do. We should provide opportunities for exchange not only at the municipal level but also at regional and national levels, so they can get to know each other," Vulkovski added.

He noted that a problem lies in the overall manner in which community centres are talked about.

"The law distinguishes between rural and urban community centres based on membership numbers. The range of their functions is broad, without getting into specific categories. In villages without children, these centres serve health, social, and informational purposes. In large cities, some centres have unclear objectives, while others have well-defined goals. In the outskirts of small towns, they play a crucial role in providing cultural access. Community centres are diverse and have evolved over time," Vulkovski said.

He provided the guests with examples of the activities undertaken by community centres in various cities.

The annual meeting of municipalities, organized by the National Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Bulgaria, will continue until October 15. BTA is a media partner of the event.