ePSI plus An overview

1. ePSIplus An overview National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria European Associations Meeting, Copenhagen, 31.08.07 funded by eContentPlus

2. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria Information about the Association members • Which sector does the Association represent? The NCSC represents the crafts sector • How many paid up members belong to the association? 24 Regional Chambers of Skilled Crafts and 10 National Crafts Branch Associations • How many private sector companies are members of the Association or of the Member Associations members? 6.700 crafts enterprises, 9.500 masters • How many of the members above re-use Public Sector Information? Although the percentage of Bulgarian citizens using Internet for communication and contacts with administration is small, we notice that due to the upcoming opportunities to apply for European finance under Operational Programmes, the administration and our structures show significant activity in raising awareness on PSI and its utilization

3. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria • Does the Association run an award scheme that identifies PSI Re-users? PSI Re-users identification is not structured separately, but its run through publications on the chamber’s website and organization of Information events • Does the Association have case studies available about PSI Re-use? The NCSC has not conducted its own case studies, but uses the Programme for Access to Information reports and surveys of relevant institutions.

4. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria Information about the Associations policy on PSI re-use • Does the Association have a written policy with respect to PSI Re-use? The NCSC is a public-private institution, as the state imposes on it duty to implement the Law on Crafts. With the law on the regional structures are imposed the following duties: - Keeping public register of crafts enterprises; - Organizing crafts training; - A tariff on services offered • Is the policy published and publicly available online? All the PSI is available on-line. • If not publicly available please outline the policy. (Or provide paper handout)

5. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria Information about the Associations actions on PSI re-use • Since 1st July 2005 - what actions has the Association taken with respect to the re-use of PSI? (Provide a bullet list and use another slide if needed) information on Internet portals, servicing the business • Has the Association held any meetings of its members dedicated to the re-use of PSI? (e.g. Awareness raising/Information Sharing/Information dissemination) many information campaigns on regional and local level , information for member companies on legal issues concerning small businesses- standardisation, certification, health and safety at work, environmental protection, edited and published 22 handbooks – on paper and on-line. • Has the Association lobbied politicians on PSI re-use? • Has the Association lobbied government Ministries on PSI Re-use? at political level- parliamentary represented parties, at executive authorities level for facilitation of access to information on tax legislation concerning SMEs, especially regarding harmonization with acquis communautaire.

6. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria • Has the Association lobbied other people or bodies other than the above? The NCSC as a member of the UEAPME, has lobbied for utilization of PSI at European and local level /the Representation of the EC in Bulgaria/, partners organizations from EU member states. • If YES to the Association has lobbied - what has the Association lobbied on or about? -Access to officials positions of Bulgarian government at national and European level, concerning crafts sector; -Access to information for sources of finance of SMEs through European finance instruments – structural funds; -Access to information in cases of certain branch crises • In the view of the Association has the lobbying been successful? Unfortunately in most of the cases lobbing has been unsuccessful

7. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria • If YES outline the success. -crafts enterprises were recorded as beneficiaries under operational programme Human Resource; -developed project fiche under PHARE programme for building of consultancy centers to the regional chambers and the NCSC; -patent tax was reduced with 50% for each newly opened work position for training of apprentice, which is recognized as an investment. BUT: -not assured access to the project of amendment of the Law on Health, which imposed changes in the list of crafts trades in the Law on Crafts - not kept the norm of the law requiring the NCSC position. As a result “optics and optometry” was excluded form the list of craft trades; -not assured access for the NCSC to the framework position of the Bulgarian government /the Council on EuropeanIssues to the Council of Ministers/ expressed officially in Brussels on amendment in Directive 2005/36/ЕU for recognition of professional qualifications.

8. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria Information about the concerns of the Associations members on PSI re-use • What are the issues/concerns of the Associations members with respect to PSI re-use? (Please list top three) -information on laws, regulations, decrees and other information, concerning the micro business and European legislation; -information on structural funs and how to apply for finance • What do the members expect the Association to do about the above mentioned issues? to be mediators and to provide in time information on recent development concerning their business. • Has the Association taken action to address these issues? web site, forums at national, regional and local level. • Is the Association aware of any complaints/court cases on PSI re-use that involve the Associations Members or their Members? currently the NCSC members have not submitted to us information on such difficulties and there are no such court appeals for refusal of access to information. • If yes please outline (bullets name of body and country)

9. National Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Bulgaria Information about the concerns of the Associations members on PSI re-use • In the view of the Association - who within the membership or the Members membership is considered to be a PSI Re-use champion? Please name of body/person and country. no one can be defined as a champion at this stage

10. Thank you for your attention • Insert URL of Association: www.nzkbg.org • Insert URL of Associations web site page or pages that contains a link to ePSIplus • Insert contact email address: nzk@abv.bg; simonahristova@abv.bg