Assoc. Prof. Desislava Kalcheva, PhD, took part in the 34th Annual International Conference of the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee). The event was held from 28 to 30 May 2026 in Sofia and was organized in cooperation with Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

The theme of the conference was “Governing Uncertainty: Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Public Administration”. The forum included various activities, panels, and research streams dedicated to current issues in the fields of public administration, public governance, democratic governance, and responsible policymaking in times of uncertainty. The conference brought together more than 250 representatives of academia and experts from different countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Montenegro, and others.

Assoc. Prof. Desislava Kalcheva participated in the conference with two presentations in the panel “Public Finance and Public Financial Management”, delivered on 28 May and 30 May respectively.

The first presentation was entitled “Local Taxes on Economic Activities as a Reward for Municipalities – the Case of Bulgaria”. The report examined the possibilities for directing revenues from taxes on local economic activity to municipal budgets as a mechanism for stimulating local development. The focus was placed on international practices, models for the distribution of funds, and the assessment of their possible application in Bulgaria, as well as on their potential importance for investment, employment, and the financial autonomy of municipalities.

The second presentation was entitled “Managing Uncertainty through Fiscal Councils: Communication, Analysis, and Practical Instruments”. The report examined the role of fiscal councils as independent bodies that support the responsible management of public finances through analyses, recommendations, and assessment of fiscal risks. Particular attention was paid to the importance of transparent communication, accountability, and the exchange of good practices for strengthening trust and democratic governance.

Participation in the conference contributed to international academic exchange in the fields of public finance, local governance, and fiscal sustainability.