An inspiring and beautiful spot can be found at the foot of the Balkan Range – the Chavdar Municipality with only one settlement included – the village of Chavdar. Despite being one of the smallest municipalities in this country, it is famous for its extremely successful EU funds absorption and the implementation of a series of projects for the improvement of its infrastructure, healthcare, education etc. Its 1,200 inhabitants can be found on a communicative spot, some 75 km away from the capital city. 5,085 ha out of its 6,950 are a forest.

The name of the village was Kolanlare till 1899, later on changed to Radoslavovo. Chavdar has been its name as of 5 January 1946. Archaeological excavations made it clear that the area was the successor of the oldest population ever found across the Sredna Gora mountain range. Life existed there as early as 7,000 years ago. Really interesting depicted ceramics and Neolithic accommodations have been discovered. The annual congregation, held each first Saturday after Easter is extremely important for the locals. It is celebrated on the Sv. Petka peak, the highest point of the village with a chapel of the same name situated there.

Chavdar has its past, but at the same time it wouldn’t stop moving forward and modernize. That picturesque spot is the proof that will and labor are enough for astonishing results. Mayor Pencho Gerov says what it takes:

“We have absorbed EUR 6,800,000. All the streets have been asphalted; the piping system has been changed; a water treatment plant has been built up… Then we decided to do something about the central parts of the village. The truth is that the spot has been renewed and its condition now is really good. A mayor should build up the administration he can trust. The latter should trust him as well. That is the key to our success. The municipal council here is really harmonious and avoids no criticism. When it is a matter of something that is essential for Chavdar we all get united and forget about the political bias. A mayor can find it hard to work without the support of the municipal council, no matter his personality or leadership skills…”

Locals say the mayor is a nice person who is always ready to help. They praise with the free lunch to students, provided by the municipality via the local restaurant. There are no healthcare issues. Money has been invested into the renewal of the kindergarten, the school and the community center – still an active spot for the development of local culture, traditions and customs. Just like any small settlement, Chavdar has also lost a part of its younger population which has moved to towns and cities. However, that cannot be felt that hard due to the well-developed industrial and logging sector. People say the balance should be kept between industry and environment. The village opens new jobs via tourism. Pencho Gerov gives more details:

“No matter how low the level of unemployment is /some 10%/ we have to look for the opening of new jobs. At the moment we are building up a center for sports and tourism. We have constructed attractions of that kind under the Rural Development OP that are to be unveiled soon. There are climbing walls, rope lines for walks, facilities for smaller children, balancing discs etc. It is pretty attractive and that is our goal – to attract people. When those come, there should be someone at their service. Thus new jobs are opened.”

The village marks serious success in the integration of the Roma minority – these people work and take part in the implementation of the European projects. Transport is expected to be developed in the future, also the environmental care to be improved and more new jobs to be opened.

Photos: Luiza Lazarova

English version: Zhivko Stanchev