First stakeholder’s meeting of project partner Municipality of Varna took place on June 7, 2018. Representatives of all Districts, Cycling and Sports clubs, municipal experts and Directors of municipal companies were attracted by the interesting topic and attended the event.

A presentation related to the funding program as well as the project scope, activities, goals and expected results was made by Mr. Kaprelyan – project manager for the City of Varna to introduce the concept of the CityWalk project to the audience. Pilot actions that are yet to be implemented until the end of the project were also presented as well as the commitment that is expected from all participants in order the main objectives to be achieved respecting the deadlines. 

Examples of good and bad practices were given by arch. Petar Petrov from Varna Free University from European and domestic cities as well as presentation related to the current walkability and mobility status of the city from architectural point of view.  All participants were actively involved in the discussions by making suggestions, expressing their opinion on different problems and how will the CityWalk project fit and bring long-term sustainability and improvement to the local mobility and walkability. Discussed were part of the target groups of the project – children from kindergartens, schools, students and pensioners and people with disabilities. Representatives of stakeholders shared their best practices and tools for the establishment of pedestrian mobility in the actual environment. Questionnaire Survey – Neighbourhood Walkability Plan and Questionnaire Survey – Walkability Strategic Plan were filled in by all participants as well as distributed to all representatives in order information from citizens living in all districts to be collected.

At the end of the meeting all stakeholders expressed their interest of supporting Municipality of Varna and to be part of the development of City walkability plan which will improve the life quality, safety, health and urban mobility within the City of Varna.