The international project “Youth and Social Inclusion in the Multicultural City” has been launched by the Bulgarian Association “Youth Guard Units” and the Romanian association ACJES. This project is being implemented with financial support from the Erasmus+ Program, Youth Sector, under contract number 2020-2-BG01-KA105-079362. Both organizations have been actively supporting young people for years, and the idea for their joint activity arose from meetings held in early 2020.
The project “Youth and Social Inclusion in the Multicultural City” focuses on the future development of the social activity of young people in Bulgaria and Romania, emphasizing social cohesion and civic belonging in society.
As participants in the youth exchange taking place in Razgrad and Pleven, there are 50 young people from Bulgaria and Romania involved. These include members of youth organizations, guard units and orchestras, volunteers, youth activists, school and university students, accompanied by four leaders from each country. Representing the Romanian guard is Lieutenant Teodor-Mihail Petrișor from the 30th Guard Brigade “Mihai Viteazul,” and from the Bulgarian side is Sergeant Dimitar Borisov from NGCH.
Over a period of 10 days, the youth and their leaders will collaborate intensively on topics such as teamwork, leadership, creativity, organizational behavior, analytical thinking, and respecting cultural differences. A variety of educational activities and sessions are planned, along with numerous physical and creative activities.
The “Youth Guard Units” association was established three years ago with the aim of reviving patriotic feelings in the younger generation and instilling a spirit of love for Bulgarian history and traditions in children. “The contact with the guard uniform, which is a relic in our history and present, inspires the children to wear it, honor it, and learn from it. The creation of numerous youth guard units is presented to those who are changing their environment and believe this cause is worthwhile and should be expanded. Spectators perceive each appearance at events involving the young guards as a symbol of statehood and national pride. This motivates us to embrace this mandate and work on it as long as there are supporters of the cause,” the organization shares. Additionally, they add: “We are happy that the association’s activities are recognized beyond the country’s borders, and with the implementation of the project “Young People and Social Inclusion in the Multicultural City,” we have the opportunity to tell and show Romanian youth more about our country and the National Guard Unit—one of the most elite divisions of the Bulgarian Army. We are glad that with our partners from Romania, we can be a good example to each other and be of mutual benefit, and that our cooperation serves as a model for a bridge between the young people of both countries.”
