BlueLink Information Network

BlueLink Information Network is a virtual network of Bulgarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in Sofia, Bulgaria, which offers a variety of Internet-based services for NGOs and others interested in issues related to the environment, natural resources and sustainable development. It focuses on three areas: access to information, co-operation between NGOs and other sectors, and access to the new technologies of information in order to support sustainable development, democracy and civil society. In Bulgarian and English.

About

BlueLink is the Bulgarian member of the Association for Progressive Communications, an international network comprised of organizations using the Internet and Information and Communication Technologies for social justice and development. [http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=1848226 According to APC] , BlueLink hosted an international conference of APC members in Varna, Bulgaria. BlueLink handled the logistics for the 10 day summit, and organized a debate titled "Open Access for All" on 7 October 2005. About 50 representatives from the APC member organizations from 32 countries were present along with guest technology experts and environmental activists participating online from Bulgaria and the Balkan region.

According to the [http://repc.rec.org/about/bulgaria.html Regional Environmental Press Centre for South Eastern Europe] , BlueLink started in 1998 as a joint project of environmental NGOs from different cities in Bulgaria. These included ECO-CLUB 2000, Centre for Environmental Information and Education of Sofia, the environmental club Terra of Blagoevgrad, Green Balkans of Sofia, the geo eco-club Academica of Veliko Tarnovo, Za Zemiata, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Preservation Society of Semperviva - Pernik and the Public Environmental Centre for Sustainable Development in Varna.

BlueLink has developed Information and Communication Technology projects for civil society in Bulgaria and in the Balkans. BlueLink’s work has been recognized by the UN project: the Aarhaus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy, the [http://old.stockholmchallenge.se/finalists.asp?id=0&y=1&yr=2003 Stockholm Challenge awards] and by the international network, [http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/SEE_Networking/APC_Sofia.html APC] .

In addition to developing ICT tools, BlueLink organizes training workshops for NGOs on the use of ICTs. BlueLink also promotes national, regional and international NGO cooperation by organizing or hosting conferences financed by various grants.

Around February 2005, the [http://lists.apc.org/pipermail/apcnews/2005/000074.html APCNews] reported that BlueLink had "developed and published a [http://www.bluelink.info/documents/bluelink_manual-2004.pdf Bulgarian language manual] on the strategic use of the internet for civil society organisations (CSOs)." According to this report, the manual teache CSOs "how to work effectively in electronic network, and how to improve and optimize significantly their work using ICTs." Its stated aim was to fill in the "gaps in the knowledge" of the CSOs on the opportunities that the electronic communication offers via internet, and to explore the options of their effective use in organizations' work. APCNews also said that the guide includes tips on how to communicate in mailing lists, how to build a useful and representative website, on-line activism, and more.

This manual is available only in Bulgarian and is used as a basic training material in BlueLink's trainings. It is based on the group's experience while educating NGO members how to improve their work and efficiency via the internet. It was written almost three years ago (as of 2007) and currently it has undergone some upgrades.

[http://www.annualreports.milieukontakt.nl/index.php?page_id=97 Milieu Kontakt Oost Europa] says "Some of the NGO-networks (Ekomrezabih Bosnia and Herzegovina, StrawberryNet Romania and BlueLink Bulgaria) are rather active and disseminate environmental information, including information on the Aarhus Convention.)

History

[http://www.bluelink.net BlueLink Information Network] was founded in 1997 by social and environmental activists with the aim of improving the capabilities of the Bulgarian NGO sector through the use of Information and Communication Technologies. The BlueLink Pilot Project was started by ECO-CLUB 2000, a Bulgarian Environmental NGO, with the financial assistance of Milieukontakt Oost-Europa, a Dutch NGO which supports environmental sustainability in the countries of Europe and Asia. In April 1999, the Bulgarian NGO recognised BlueLink's as coordinator of the sector for electronic communications. This role was integrated into the “Final Declaration” of the National NGO Meeting.

Management and Organization

BlueLink Information Network is a joint project of several Bulgarian environmental NGOs named here as “Founders”. In its grassroots stage, the project was financially supported by the Dutch Foundation Milieukontakt Oost Europa.

BlueLink was registered as a foundation under Bulgaria’s Non-Profit Organizations Act in 1999. According to its charter, registered in the Sofia City Court, BlueLink is governed by an Executive Board appointed by the Council of the Founders – the supreme body of BlueLink. To fulfill its mission BlueLink receives grants from sponsor organizations in Bulgaria and abroad. BlueLink also receives donations from organizations, which make use of its services. BlueLink is operated by an Executive Board. The supreme body of BlueLink is the Council of the Founders made up of the eight NGOs and three individuals responsible for creating BlueLink.

The activities of BlueLink are managed by a team, headed by BlueLink's executive director. Other team members include a project manager, a content manager and a web designer. The team also includes part time and voluntary assistants.

The advisory body of BlueLink is called the “Steering Group”. It consists of one representative form each founding organization.

BlueLink founders

Founders of this organisation were Centre for Environmental Information and Education, Sofia; Environmental Youth Club Terra, Blagoevgrad; Academica GeoEcoClub, Veliko Tarnovo; Balkani Wildlife Society, Sofia; environmental association Za Zemiata (For the Earth), Sofia; Bulgarian Biodiversity Preservation Society Semperviva, Pernik; Pavel Antonov, Vassil Beyazov and Willem Tiebbe Oostenbrink.

BlueLink Executive Board

It currently (2007) comprises Natalia Dimitrov (Chair) from the Environmental Club Terra - Blagoevgrad; Paval Antonov; Petko Kovachev, Centre for Environmental Information and Education; Petko Tsvetkov, Balkani Wildlife Society and Ilian Iliev, Public Centre for Sustainable Development.

It team comprises Milena Bokova as executive director; Milena Georgieva as project manager; Elina Racholova as content manager; Mikhail Bozgounov as web and network developer; and Michael Boudreaux as project and content coordinator, consultant and volunteer.

External links

* [http://bluelink.net/ BlueLink]
* [http://bluelink.net/en/index.shtml BlueLink, English version]
* [http://www.apc.org Association of Progressive Communications]
* [http://my.stockholmchallenge.se/ Stockholm Challenge]
* [http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/SEE_Networking/PDF/BluelinkWorkplan2004.pdf BlueLink concept paper, Development of environmental NGOs electronic networking in Bulgaria, 2004]