Topical Information

The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) and Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at promoting the activities and achievements of local government and marking 30 years since the establishment of NAMRB in 2026.

The document was signed by Donka Mihaylova, Vice-Chair of the NAMRB Governing Board, and Milen Mitev, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio, during the first meeting of NAMRB’s leadership for 2026. The memorandum sets the framework for partnership between the two institutions in implementing joint communication initiatives of public significance.

A key element of the cooperation is the creation of a joint video podcast series to be produced throughout 2026. Two episodes per month are planned, featuring mayors, chairs of municipal councils, and experts who will present good practices, policies, and development visions for Bulgarian municipalities. Each podcast episode will be approximately 40 minutes long and will be produced based on pre-agreed topics and questions.

Bulgarian National Radio will be responsible for the technical production and moderation of the podcast, while the content will be published on the communication channels and platforms of both NAMRB and BNR. Municipalities will provide support with logistics and accommodation for BNR teams during their travels across the country.

The initiative is part of NAMRB’s overall communication plan related to the Association’s anniversary, aiming to reach a broad public audience and draw attention to the role of local government in the country’s development and in maintaining active dialogue with citizens.

At the signing ceremony, Donka Mihaylova, Vice-Chair of NAMRB and Mayor of Troyan Municipality, emphasized that Bulgarian National Radio has traditionally paid attention to the issues and challenges facing Bulgarian municipalities. According to her, the memorandum seeks to build on this cooperation by making it more systematic and effective, so that the national public media reflects not only the work of mayors but also real life in municipalities across the country.

In support of the initiative, Zlatko Zhivkov, Member of the NAMRB Governing Board and Mayor of Montana Municipality, highlighted that municipalities are the most stable level of governance and must operate daily in a complex and dynamic environment. In his view, it is important for the public to receive independent and objective information about the processes, decisions, and responsibilities undertaken by local authorities.

Ivo Dimov, Vice-Chair of the NAMRB Governing Board and Mayor of Dimitrovgrad Municipality, focused on the role of local government as a key pillar of stability and the first to respond to citizens’ problems. He noted that amid numerous complex reforms and constraints—including in waste management and the current limited budget framework—it is essential for the voices of mayors to reach society clearly and understandably. According to him, the memorandum with BNR is an important tool for better communication and for more active engagement with the expert opinions of local authorities on current issues.

BNR Director General Milen Mitev pointed out that one of the main dimensions of the partnership is improving communication with municipalities so that journalists across the country can provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive information to their audiences. He stressed that the role of a public media outlet is not only to inform but also to present the human face of institutions, including local government—the people behind the decisions who work daily in the interest of their communities.

Milen Mitev also emphasized the strength of BNR’s correspondent network and its eight regional radio programs as an opportunity for closer contact with people and with the issues in each region. According to him, institutionalizing the dialogue with NAMRB will contribute to better understanding, overcoming distrust in institutions, and more clearly presenting the efforts of local authorities to improve the environment and the quality of life of citizens.

Nearly 20 municipalities have already expressed interest in participating in the podcast series, with expectations that in 2026 the format will establish itself as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing successful policies, and promoting the work of local self-government.