Paper/Speech Details of Conference Program for the 26th NISPAcee Annual Conference Program Overview X. Non-Governmental Organizations in CEE Author(s) Lyubimka Andreeva Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia Bulgaria Title The Role of NGOs in the Governance of the Bulgarian Energy Sector File Paper files are available only for conference participants, please login first. Presenter Lyubimka Andreeva Abstract Over the past few decades there has been a dramatic change in the way we have seen the development processes (a spectacular growth in the numbers and scope) of NGOs at national and international level. Their active participation in the processes of making and implementation of various public policies become a new dimension in the relations NGOs - State. From this perspective, the article analyzes the emergence, development and participation of NGOs in the governance of the Bulgarian energy sector. It aim is to acquaint the readers with the role of the "third sector" in the Bulgarian energy sector in order to answer the question how NGOs in this sector influenced in the formulation and implementation of policy in the field, to develop knowledge about the role of NGOs and the benefits and challenges of its enlargement at national level. In order to answer the formulated questions it is going to be used alongside a combination of approaches including theoretical, normative and expert analysis to better understand the role of NGOs in the governance of the Bulgarian energy sector. The theoretical and normative analysis allows following the process of developing and affirming the status of the civil sector in Bulgaria after the fall of the Communist regime. The expert analysis aims at presenting the contemporary influence of the non-governmental sector in the formulation and implementation of the energy policy. The results of the paper could help both theoreticians and practitioners to note the fact that the paradigm of formulation and implementation of the Bulgarian energy policy nowadays has changed. The article contains the regional aspect, based on the Bulgarian experience. Key words: Energy, NGOs, Civic Participation, Public Policies, Good Governance
