The “Youth Guard Squads Association” in Pleven is launching the project “Young People – The Future of Bulgaria – with Unlimited Opportunities,” contract No. 25-00-20/10.07.2023. This project is financially supported by the National Youth Program (2021-2025) under the thematic area “Non-formal learning for skill acquisition and key competencies,” facilitated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The project will run for 9 months and will involve 207 young people aged 15-29 from various social backgrounds, including those not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), young people with disabilities, special educational needs, and those from minorities.
The activities will take place in the cities of Sofia, Pazardzhik, Pavlikeni, Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Veliko Tarnovo. The primary goals are to create conditions that improve the quality of life and realization of young people by providing access to non-formal education for skills and key competencies development. The project activities aim to help young people develop skills to plan and set life goals. Participants will be encouraged to act responsibly by being given opportunities to engage in civic life and express active citizenship.
Specialized support will be provided to help young people become agents of positive change, inspired by national and European values while maintaining their identities. Planned activities include two-day modular training sessions titled “How to Present Yourself” in four locations, organizing a Youth Forum – “Worthy of Bulgaria” with 52 leaders from youth guard squads nationwide, and an initiative called “Bridge to Society and Institutions” to provide educational and practical experience in creating a youth space in Pazardzhik.
The expected outcomes align with the specific goals of the National Youth Program (2021-2025), thematic area 1: promoting non-formal education and increasing access for developing key competencies; encouraging employment and supporting NEETs; enhancing young people’s civic engagement and quality participation in decision-making processes at local and national levels; developing and establishing youth work nationally using innovative approaches.
