And in the second half of 2022, the activity of the Rehabilitation Center for children with oncohematological diseases continued. The financing of the activity is fully provided under project BGLD-1.004-0001 "Rehabilitation center for children with oncohematological diseases", implemented by the municipality of Kostinbrod under grant contract No. BGLD-1.004-0001-C02, under the program "Local development, reduction of poverty and improved inclusion of vulnerable groups" through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021. In February of the current year, the aforementioned contract was extended with a deadline of April 30, 2024, and the amount of financing increased to a total of 1,316,649 euros.
The service provided by the Rehabilitation Center is innovative for the country. Its gradual approval is in harmony with the implementation of the completely new Law on Social Services adopted in 2020. In compliance with the provisions of the law, the service provider Association for children with oncohematological diseases has received four licenses for all services provided, with the exception of accommodation for children and their families. The realization of the ultimate goal of the project, namely the approving of the service and the determination of the value standards for its introduction as an activity delegated by the state and ensuring its financing from the state budget, is tied to the inclusion of the activity of the Rehabilitation Center in the National Map of Social Services. It, in turn, should be adopted by the Council of Ministers within 12 months from the publication of the final results of the census of the population and housing stock in the Republic of Bulgaria in 2021. Ultimately, the financing of social services from the national budget, according to the adopted regulations, will start from January 1 of the year following the adoption of the National Card of Social Services, but no later than January 1, 2024.
In this sense, the extension of the "Rehabilitation center for children with oncohematological diseases" project until the end of April 2024 and the provision of additional funding in the amount of 690,827 euros guarantees sustainability of the provided service until the introduction of national funding
A number of follow-up actions have been undertaken and carried out by the municipality of Kostinbrod to ensure the implementation of the contract implementation activities.
By order of the mayor of the Kostinbrod municipality, the project management team was reconfirmed, including employees of the Kostinbrod Municipal Administration. In addition to the distribution of positions, the functional duties of each team member are also detailed.
After a procedure under the Law on Public Procurement, in July 2022, a contract was concluded with the contractor, namely the Association for Children with Oncohematological Diseases, valid until 04/30/2024, for a total value of BGN 1,453,030. As this value also includes the residual funds for the study of good practices and the exchange of experience with rehabilitation centers for children with illnesses in Norway and the funds for the supply of food products for the Center. Regardless of the renegotiation process, the Center has not interrupted its work and currently 75 families are registered as users of the service.
To ensure publicity and awareness within the remaining period of project implementation, a new contract was concluded with "IDEA ADVERTISING" EOOD. Within the framework of the contract, the specified contractor undertakes to maintain a website with up-to-date information on the activities performed and the results achieved; to print leaflets in a total circulation of 1,000 /thousand/ pieces with data on the development of the project; to organize, hold and cover a closing press conference; to ensure three publications in print and/or electronic media to inform the public about the objectives and results of the project. In compliance with the terms set out in the contract, with due care for quality implementation and as all participants in the development, implementation and management of projects and programs under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, fully share the responsibility for the implementation of the measures and standards for the information and communication activities.
The project audit activity is scheduled to be carried out throughout the duration of the project. In September 2022, an audit contract was signed with TAX ACCOUNT AUDIT Ltd. The scope of the audit includes an ongoing review of the interim and final financial statements; 100% verification of expenditure justification documents and accompanying documentation /contracts, protocols, reports/; conducting regular financial consultations; preparation of reports on performed checks /interim and final/ and providing them to the beneficiary. The agreements between the parties contain comprehensive requirements for performing the audit activity in accordance with the International Standard for Related Services Commitments to Perform Contractual Procedures Regarding Financial Information - ISAS 4400.
