Joint Programme for Enhancement of the Physical Education and Sports in the Municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula 2015-2017

JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA 2015-2017

Berkovitsa, 2015

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union through the Cross-Border Programme CCI No 2007CB16IPO006. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Berkovitsa and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Managing Authority of the Programme.

The current Programme is elaborated within the project “Strengthening territorial cohesion in the cross- border region through development of social infrastructure in the field of sport”, funded with the assistance of the European Union through the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme.

Author: „GETSOV AND PARTNERS CONSULTANTS“ LTD JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

II. RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY ...... 5

III. KEY TERMS: ...... 6

IV. RESEARCH OF THE CONDITIONS THAT PROMOTES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES ...... 9

1. SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 9

1.1 Major sports facilities in the municipality of Berkovitsa ...... 9

1.2 Major sports facilities in the municipality of Palilula ...... 14

2. SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS. TOURNAMENTS ...... 18

V. EVALUATION AND CASE STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENT ...... 23

VI. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME ...... 26

Main objective ...... 26

Specific objectives ...... 26

Target groups and scope ...... 27

VII. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ...... 29

VIII. CONCLUSION ...... 34

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I. INTRODUCTION

Sport is a growing social and economic phenomenon which makes an important contribution to the European Union's strategic objectives of solidarity and prosperity.

Sport attracts citizens from the Bulgaria – Serbia cross-border area, with a majority of people taking part in sporting activities on a regular basis. It generates important values such as team spirit, solidarity, tolerance and fair play, contributing to personal development and fulfilment. It promotes the active contribution of EU citizens to society and thereby helps to foster active citizenship. Sport has an important role for residents of the region.

However, sport in the Bulgaria – Serbia cross-border region is also confronted with new threats and challenges which have emerged in the European society, such as commercial pressure, exploitation of young players, doping, racism, violence, corruption and money laundering.

The municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula are the organizations that have the primary responsibility for the conduct of sports activities in the cross-border region, along with the central role of the sports organizations and clubs situated in their territory. Providing appropriate conditions for physical exercises and sports for the population is an integral part of the social policy of the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula for their constituent settlements.

This Programme aims to give strategic orientation on the role of sport in the cross- border region, to promote mutual discussions on specific issues, to enhance the awareness of sport in the sports policymaking on the local level and to raise the public awareness of the needs and specificities of this sector in the region. The Programme aims to outline the future steps on intermunicipal level for developing sport. The Joint Programme focuses on the role of sport in society, its social

3 | P a g e JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA dimensions and the way it is organized in the two municipalities in general and in the cross-border region as a whole, as well as on the next steps for implementation of joint initiatives by the two municipalities. Concrete proposals for further joint actions of both municipalities are listed in the programme measures, including actions to be implemented or supported by the municipal administrations. The Programme focuses on creating conditions for encouraging the target groups to participate in physical activities and in systematic practice of sports activities as well as the full and effective use of the organizational, material and human conditions for the development of sport as a vehicle through which they are to prepare for a healthy lifestyle. It focuses on their physical and spiritual development, and the education of important social values such as honesty, discipline, solidarity, team spirit, tolerance and fair play.

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II. RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY During the elaboration of this joint programme, the team of "Getsov and Partners Consultants" Ltd. conducted numerous consultations with sport stakeholders on issues of common interest as well as online consultations, which showed that there were great expectations for the role of sport in the cross-border region and the actions of municipal administrations in this regard.

The program is tailored to the national circumstances, sports traditions and socio - economic conditions in the region. It is developed in accordance with the "NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT IN BULGARIA 2012 - 2022" the Physical Education and Sports Act and with the legislation in the field of sport in Bulgaria and Serbia, as well as with the sports traditions and challenges in front of such events on the local level.

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III. KEY TERMS:

 “Sport” - all forms of physical activity which, by self or by organized participation, aim at implementing or improving physical fitness and emotional well-being, forming social relationships or to achieving results in competitions at all levels.  “Sports Grounds and Facilities” - sports infrastructure - movable and / or immovable property and adjacent areas, dormitory for athletes, administrative and storage buildings, serving the appropriate sports infrastructure, designed to train athletes and for long-term satisfaction of public needs in the field of physical education, sport and social tourism, cultural sporting and other events.  “Sports Organizations” - legal entities who carry out training, competitive and organizational and administrative activities in one or several sports and develop and promote physical education and sport.  “Sports Clubs” - voluntary associations of citizens, non-profit organizations that develop and promote physical education and sport and carry out training and sports competition activities in one or several sports.  “Sport for All” – a system of widely available tools, techniques and forms of physical activity for recreation, health promotion and improvement of physical fitness of people through individual and group sports.  “Social Tourism” - form of physical activity in nature aiming to improve physical performance and emotional enrichment of individuals through the organization of leisure, recreation, relaxation and physical recovery of the citizens.

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 “Sports Promoters” - persons who directly or indirectly promote, organize and conduct various activities in the field of sport.  “Amateur Athletes” - persons who conduct systematic training and competition, but for them it is not the main occupation.  “Professional Athletes” - persons for whom sport is an essential job.  “State Sports Calendar” - appropriate system of arranged in time sports events throughout the country.  “International Sports Calendar” - system of expediently arranged in time sport events approved by the International Sports Federation.  “Extracurricular Sports Activities” - voluntarily organized forms of training and competition, that are not included in the mandatory physical education programs in schools.  “National Register of Sports Organizations” - data array, consisting of paper documents and electronic data base containing the main characteristics of sports organizations in Bulgaria.  “Sport for Excellence” - specialized system of tools, methods and forms of physical activity of people indexed as athletes, aiming to achieve maximum achievements in the preparation and participation in competitions organized and supervised by sports organizations.  “Sports Services” - all payable services related to specific sports activities (coaching services, provision of sports facilities and sports facilities, etc.).  “Sports Judge” - person with special rights and qualifications to lead sports events in a particular sport, to monitor compliance with rules for their conduct and record sports scores achieved.  “Coach” - sports teacher in specific kind of sport, which organizes and conducts sports training and competitions to athletes with different backgrounds.

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 “Public Register of Sports Facilities and Sites for Social Tourism” - data array for public use, consisting of paper documents and electronic database that contains the forms of ownership, type and function of sport venues and facilities for social tourism in Bulgaria.  “High-class Athlete” – an athlete who has achieved high sport results in European and World Championships and Olympics.

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IV. RESEARCH OF THE CONDITIONS THAT PROMOTES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES

1. SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE

1.1 Major sports facilities in the municipality of Berkovitsa

 SPORTS COMPLEX – BERKOVITSA The sports complex in Berkovitsa town is an outdoor facility located in district 16, parcel I, according to the town’s plan regulation. The complex is built as a multifunctional installation and is equipped for practicing various sports (biathlon, athletics, rugby, skiing and etc. The facility is category V, according to Regulation 1 of the Town’s Structure Act.

The condition of the Sports Complex does not fully fulfill the requirements of the contemporary sports facilities. Despite that, there are athletes and sports clubs, which use the complex for active trainings (Biathlon club „Kom- Berkovitsa“, Rugby club „Balkan Cats“).

Figure 1: 7th International Tournament in Rugby 7  SPORTS HALL - BERKOVITSA

The Sports Hall in Berkovitsa town is a multifunctional indoor sports facility, located nearby “Sveti Georgi Pobedonosec” park. The hall has approximately 100 seats. The flooring of the hall is suitable for competitions and practices in

9 | P a g e JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA basketball, wrestling, volleyball, table tennis and martial arts. The size of the hall allows conducting of various contests, for which is possible to change the equipment, which is mobile. There are 1 million levas provided for improvements of the hall, which are part of The Investment Programme of the Council of Ministers for sport and sports infrastructure for year 2014.

There is a tennis pitch right next to the Sports Hall, which has been renovated in 2010 by the Tennis Club “BerkRackets”. The tennis club is a host of the pitch since. The club organizes and facilitates tournaments and other events, as well as the annual “Berk Open” tournament, which is the first grand tennis tournament on the territory of the municipality of Berkovitsa.

Figure 2: Final Masters 2014 on the tennis pitch of the Sports Hall

 STADIUM - ZAMFIROVO

The stadium in Zamfirovo village is built in 1978 and has 2100 square meters terrain, 220 square meters and a single-floor monolith building with changing rooms – 88 square meters. The facility is designed for football only and is functioning, although it is not in good condition and needs modernization and renovation.

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 STADIUM - BOROVTSI

The stadium in Borovtsi village is built in 1978 and has 2382 square meters terrain, 200 square meters seats and changing rooms and a single-floor monolith building. The facility is designed for football only and is functioning, although it is not in good condition and needs modernization and renovation.

 STADIUM - YAGODOVO

The football pitch in Yagodovo village is a part of a sports complex within a park, located on the territory of the village. The facility is category III, according to Regulation 1 of the Town’s Structure Act.

 “NIKOLA VAPTSAROV” PIMARY SCHOOL - BERKOVITSA

“Nikola Vaptsarov” primary school participates in every sports / touristic events facilitate by the municipality of Berkovitsa. The school has:

 A gymnasium 9/18 meters, which is suitable for practicing volleyball, basketball, badminton and etc. The gymnastics equipment in the gym needs to be changed and modernized.  A grassed football pitch 35/60 meters, which is suitable for practicing football, baseball, rugby and etc. The pitch needs seats for the audience and new goals.

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 A renovated multifunctional pitch 30/20 meters, suitable for handball, football and basketball;  A volleyball pitch 14/28 meters, which need renovation;  An athletics track 50/4 meters, which needs a new flooring.

Figure 3: Opening of the renovated multifunctional pitch in “N. Vaptsarov” Primary School

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 SKI TRACK “KOM-BERKOVITSA”

About 15 km. from the town of Berkovitsa, right under the Kom peak in “Stara planina” mountain is situated the “Kom-Berkovitsa” ski resort. It has a well maintained and daily processed ski track with a 1.5 km. length. The track starts from the “Malyk Kom” peak, which is on 1960 meters altitude. The track has a lift, type “anchor”, another one for kids. The total length of the lift is 800 meters.

Figure 4: A part of the ski track “Kom-Berkovitsa” The tourists are able to accommodate themselves in the renovated mountain hut “Kom”, which is on 1640 meters altitude. The capacity of the hut is 120 customers, there are also a restaurant and a touristic kitchen.

In addition to the skiing and snowboarding, there are excellent conditions for various extreme adventures, such as cliffhanging and paragliding.

Figure 5: A scheme of the ski tracks and facilities in the Berkovitsa Balkan

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1.2 Major sports facilities in the municipality of Palilula  MEMORIAL PARK „BUBANJ”

Memorial park “Bubanj” is a World War II memorial complex built to commemorate the shooting and execution of more than 10,000 citizens of Niš. It is located on a 60 hectares area. The park creates possibilities for active physical and sports activities through the several terrains and pitches for athletics, basketball, volleyball, handball and football, as well as a lot of touristic trails for rehabilitation with different levels of difficulty. The park and its facilities are reconstructed and renovated in 2013 under the “CoulTour” project with funded with the assistance of the European Union through the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross border Programme .

Figure 6: The central entrance of Memorial Park "Bubanj"

Figure 7: Renovated park "Bubanj"

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 STADIUM “LJUBOMIRA NIKOLIĆA“

Stadium “Ljubomira Nikolića“ is renovated in 2008 by the management of women football club “Masinac”. The stadium is designed for football and athletics. The grass of the pitch is well-kept and the home matches of the football team are played on it regularly. There is a 400 meters athletics track around the football pitch. The facility has a single-floor building with changing rooms and bathrooms. The capacity of the stadium is more than 300 seats.

Figure 8: Stadium "Ljubomira Nikolića"

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 STADIUM OF FC “TSAR KONSTANTIN”

The stadium of football club “Tsar Konstantin” is located in „Bubanj“ area, municipality of Palilula, and is renovated functioning sports facility that is adapted for football matches and athletics competitions. The stadium is built with natural grass and athletics track with a rubber floor.

Figure 9: The stadium of FC “Tsar Konstantin”

 STADIUMS OF THE SPORTS ASSOICIATION

On the territory of Palilula municipality are located 4 stadiums that are public property and are managed by the Serbian Sports Association. The stadiums are placed in the following locations, specifically: Gornje Međurovo, Lalinac, Mramor and Novo Selo. The facilities are designed for football and the flooring is natural grass.

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An exception is only the stadium in Gornje Međurovo, which is adapted for horse riding/racing.

 SPORTS GYMNASIUM AND TERRAINS OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS FACULTY OF THE NIS UNIVERSITY

The sports gymnasium of the Physical Education and Sports Faculty of the Nis University is a multifunctional sports, in which are implemented various sports events, competitions and tournaments facility (University Basketball Championship, Annual sambo tournament for youths and competitions in the traditional Olympic disciplines). The gymnasium has the whole needed equipment for the conducting of the events. The faculty has, also, outdoor pitches suitable for sports competitions in football, basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis.

The Physical Education and Sports Faculty of the Nis University has built partner relationships with the National Academy of Sports – Sofia, Bulgaria.

 SPORTS TERRAINS OF THE FACULTY OF LIFE SAFETY AND THE FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF THE NIS UNIVERSITY

The Faculty of Life Safety and the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Nis University have outdoor sports terrains adapted for the conducting of competitions in basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis and athletics. The terrains are used for the annual university tournaments in various sports.

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 OTHER SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PALILULA

There are 12 schools on the territory of Palilula municipality, (primary schools, professional schools and specialized schools) that have multifunctional indoor sports facilities equipped with standard instruments for the practicing of gymnastics, basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics and martial arts. There are\, also, functioning and renovated outdoor sports facilities (football pitches, basketball, volleyball, swimming pools, athletics tracks) in the schools, that are used for sports initiatives and events. The facilities are used for sports games and competitions between the schools and republic tournaments in the traditional Olympic sports.

Primary school “Kral Petar” has renovated its sports terrains and equipment under „MODERSPORT” Project, which was implemented between 07.2011-05.2013 funded with the assistance of the European Union through the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross border Programme.

Figure 10: Renovated multifunctional pitch of “Kral Petar” Primary School Figure 11: New equipment for the sports hall of “Kral Petar” Primary School

2. SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS. TOURNAMENTS

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On the territory of the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula there are more than 75 active sports organizations and clubs. Sports grounds and facilities located in both municipalities are operated by many other clubs in the region in order to conduct rounds of various tournaments and for preparation of training camps. The municipality of Berkovitsa has clubs in various sports: rugby (Rugby Club “Balkan Cats” funded by the Bulgarian Rugby Federation); ski (Ski Club “Kom”); biathlon (Biathlon Club “Kom-Berkovitsa”, whose competitor Pavlina Filipova is one of the best biathlon athletes ever, she won podiums in the World Cup, as well as the prestigious 4th place in the Nagano Olympic Games); football (Football Club “Balkanska slava” and Football Club “Kom-Minior”, which are members of the Bulgarian Football Union); table tennis (Table Tennis Club “Stalia”); sports orienteering (Orienteering Sports Club “Berkovitsa 2000”). The municipality of Palilula has clubs in the following sports: baseball (Baseball Club “Nis”); gymnastics (Gymnastics Club “Gymnastics”); karate (Karate Club “Mokuso”); football (Football Club “Tsar Konstantin”); judo (Judo Club “Shogun”); table tennis (Regional Branch of the Table Tennis Federation, Table Tennis Club “Jelezen Tsar”).

2.1 Tournaments of international importance, related to the region

 International Rugby 7 Tournament “Dimitar Gavrilov – The Coach”

The municipality of Berkovitsa is a host of the international rugby tournament “Dimitar Gavrilov – The Coach”, which could be defined as the most significant sports event on the territory of the municipality. The tournament has been conducted since 2009 by the Berkovitsa’s Rugby Club “Balkan Cats” and is named on the most successful coach of the club. Almost every rugby club in Bulgaria participates in the tournament, as well as several foreign.

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The tournament is in the frames of two days, the teams are divided in two groups and play against each other, the first two of every group are playing semi-finals and the winners are playing the final.

2.2 Sports initiatives implemented at local level – Municipality of Berkovitsa

The municipality of Berkovitsa holds a diversified calendar of sports and sports- touristic events in order to promote the sport for all and the social tourism. These events are held by the municipality and the schools, and each of the involved clubs has its own separate program of activities that it follows.

 SKI

Ski competition “Berkovski Olympian” for different age groups:

 March – ski track „Kom“

 APPLIED CYCLING

National championship in applied cycling, conducted in 7 Bulgarian towns/cities (Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Turgovishte, Purvomay, Chelopech, Silistra and Berkovitsa).

 April – October

 SUDENTS GAMES

The games are organized and conducted under the Ordinance of the Ministry of Education.

 School and municipal competitions;  Regional competitions;  Zonal competitions;  Final competitions.

Location: Schools

 VOLLEYBALL

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SCHOOL GAMES, January, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

MUNICIPAL TOURNAMENT, February, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

 BASKETBALL

SCHOOL GAMES, November, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

MUNICIPAL TOURNAMENT, February, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

 TABLE TENNIS

SCHOOL GAMES, December, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

MUNICIPAL TOURNAMENT, February, Location: Schools on the territory of Berkovitsa municipality

 SCHOOL TOURISTIC MARCH/EXCURSION  Spring – April  Autumn – October

Location: Touristic trails

 “YOUNG FIRE FIGHTER” COMPETITION

Organized by the Regional department “Fire Safety” – Berkovitsa.

 April

Location: Stadium, Berkovitsa

 MOTOCROSS COMPETITION

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Initiative committee organizes a motocross competition.

 April

Location: Mezdrea area

 SPORTS AND TOURISTIC HOLIDAYS  Ski procession with torches, March, ski track “Kom”;  Municipal Christmas Tournaments (futsal, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and etc.).

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V. EVALUATION AND CASE STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

According to the municipal administrations of Berkovitsa and Palilula and the register of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, within the two municipalities there are around 75 registered sports clubs and organizations.

From organizational point of view is concerning the fact that the status of the various types of sports clubs and opportunities for membership in national and international sports organizations are not clarified.

Generally, the local governments implement only formal oversight over the sports organizations on their territory. There isn’t a sports calendar on the regional level. This concerns mainly the calendar of children and youth sport.

The financial provision from the Ministry of Youth and Sports is directed primarily to the Bulgarian sports federations and sports clubs. It is based on indicators, which tolerate more results than the social significance, interest, and scope of such activities.

The funding from the municipal budgets is not fully subjected to the national priorities in the field of development of sport, which in many cases leads to inefficient and unduly subjective allocation. Very often professional teams of men and women are financed with municipal funds that do not develop sports work with adolescents.

The revenues from provision of sports facilities and competitions, transfers and TV rights are sporadic and insignificant. Most worrying is the fact that sport activities for children are reduced only to the Physical Education subjects at school, but they are too inadequate. Additional sports education and activities are becoming an elitist activity and are only available for families in the region with better financial opportunities.

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The lack of appropriate and accessible sports facilities reflects disincentive on the practice and development of the sport for all. The occasional holding of mass events, such as days of active walking, relay laps, crosses races and others, are useful as propaganda shares, but they do not permanently solve the problem with the health and physical fitness of the population.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

 Highly developed sports infrastructure  Insufficient level of socialization of that enables the practice of mass sport anthropogenic and natural resources; activities (sports for all) and social  Low quality of the urban tourism, as well as the practice of sport for environment, especially in the small excellence and the development of high- settlements in the municipalities; class athletes;  Poor promotion of the sports  Good image of sports centers; grounds and facilities;  Traditions in sports;  Lack of easily accessible  High-class Athletes; information on the sports services  Good geographical location. provided;

 Lack of recognized cross-border sports initiatives;

 Inaccessibility of the sports facilities for mass sport.

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

 Improving access to external financing for  Outflow of sports promoters, public and private investment in sports professional athletes, amateur infrastructure; athletes to other sports centres and

 Increasing the number of people from deterioration of the sports infrastructure;

24 | P a g e JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA different groups of population practicing  Limitation of the ongoing events physical exercises, sport and social tourism from the national and international in the two municipalities; sports calendar;

 Institutionalization of the cross-border  Deterioration of the extra- sports initiatives; curricular sports activities;

 Development of a cross-border sports  Deterioration of the attractiveness calendar; of the municipal sports centres, as a  Effective utilization of the existing sports base for practicing sport for infrastructure. excellence;  Deterioration of the sports services offered.

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VI. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Main objective The main objective of this program is to outline a variety of further actions on intermunicipal level, combining sports, educational and social values and achieving balance between physical and intellectual activities and access to sports facilities for all persons involved in sports activities, including those with disabilities and at risk.

Specific objectives  Increasing the number of people from different groups of the population practicing physical activities, sport and social tourism in the municipalities Berkovitsa and Palilula.  Creating conditions and opportunities for involving children and young people in organized sport and social tourism in order to improve their health and physical abilities in the municipalities Berkovitsa and Palilula.  Formation and development of social qualities - tolerance, solidarity, respect for the principles of "fair play" among those involved in sports activities in the municipalities Berkovitsa and Palilula.  Implementation of active local policy for promotion and encouragement of the sport for all and the social tourism activities.  Increasing the number of the school and student sports clubs in the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula in order to improve the sports activities and to increase the number of active students and pupils.  Creating conditions and opportunities for promotion of the organized practice of sports among the residents of the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula in order to improve their health and physical abilities.

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 Creating conditions within the municipalities in order to make full and efficient use of the sports grounds and facilities for inhabitants of Berkovitsa and Palilula.  Integration through sport of people with different social status, religion and ethnicity and education in the spirit of sportsmanship and prevention of intolerance, violence, tobacco use, alcohol and drugs in the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula.

Target groups and scope  Sports clubs and sports organizations:

Berkovitsa Palilula

10 65

 Representatives of various social groups, practicing sport and social tourism through individual or organized activities:

Berkovitsa Palilula

18803 71707

 Students within the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula:

Berkovitsa Palilula

1595 5904

 NGOs and other civil structures in the region, encouraging and promoting sports activities:

Berkovitsa Palilula

9 15

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 In territorial aspects, the Programme covers the territory of the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula, as well as the entire cross-border region. In terms of time - the joint activities are to be implemented annually during the calendar year. The period of duration of the Programme is two years.

Given the above, this Programme covers the following measures for improvement of the mutual relations in the field of sport in the cross-border region:

 Establishment of a public online register of the municipal and other sports facilities within the two municipalities, including the opportunities conditions they provide. The establishment of such a registry will provide clear information on the capacity of the sports facilities and sites within the target region and it will facilitate the promotion of the sport services, provided by the envisaged infrastructure. The register should be an informative array for public use, consisting of paper documents and electronic database that contains the forms of ownership, type and function of the sport venues and the facilities for social tourism in the cross-border region.  Establishment of a cross-border sports calendar. The cross-border sports calendar should be an appropriate system of arranged in time sports events on the territory of the region. In order to attract more interest, the Programme envisages that in the calendar should include events organized for the most popular sports - athletics, basketball, football, handball, rugby, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, skiing. The same events for children / people with special needs and disabled are to be organized.

28 | P a g e JOINT PROGRAMME FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKOVITSA AND PALILULA

VII. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The sports events are to be held in the indicated locations and through procedures, previously agreed between the facilitators. The disciplines and the participants who will be involved in the events are to be coordinated between the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Palilula in advance.

Specific objective 1. Increasing the number of people from different groups of the population practicing physical activities, sport and social tourism in the municipalities Berkovitsa and Palilula