The visit took place as part of a youth exchange in Nicosia and was filled with inspiration, exchange of ideas, and a commitment to the development of youth sports and leadership.
The exchange takes place within the framework of an international program, implemented with the support of the European Commission and funded by the Erasmus+ program, Youth Sector. The organization holds accreditation No. 2025-1-BG01-KA151-YOU-000297794, awarded in 2025, which ensures the sustainability and long-term development of projects in the field of youth policies.
The event is also supported by the Embassy of Cyprus in Bulgaria, whose partnership contributes to strengthening bilateral relations and the successful execution of the visit. The official Bulgarian delegation, which supports the institutional visits of the exchange participants, includes:
• Rositsa Kirova – Member of Parliament and Chair of the Committee for Direct Citizen Participation
• Petar Mladenov – Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports
• Tanya Mihaylova – Head of the Minister of Education and Science’s Office
– Monika Yanakieva – Director of the “Selection, Contracting and Reporting” Directorate at the Human Resource Development Center.
– Col. Petar Kindalov – Commander of the National Guard Unit
– Colonel Iliya Milushev – Adviser to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria
– Mariana Shoteva – Chairperson of the Administrative Court – Plovdiv
• Джузепе Де Франческо – Honorary Consul of Italy in Plovdiv
• Iliana Andonova – Representative of the Embassy of Cyprus in Bulgaria.
During the visit, the participants were welcomed by the committee’s management, who presented the history and role of the organization in the national sports life. The young people had the opportunity to tour the sports museum, conference rooms, and the committee’s offices, as well as learn about initiatives to promote Olympic values and sports culture among the youth.
The visit concluded with a press conference featuring the Secretary General of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, Mr. Yotis Ioannides, and Treasurer Mr. Ioannis Fotiou. In a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, the parties exchanged symbolic gifts and expressed a desire for future partnerships and joint initiatives aimed at promoting youth development and international cooperation through sports.
The “Youth Guard Squads” Association holds accreditation No. 2025-1-BG01-KA151-YOU-000297794, awarded in 2025, ensuring sustainability and long-term development of projects in the field of youth policies. In recent years, the Association has established its role as an active participant in international youth exchange. In 2022 and 2023, its delegations visited the Vatican by special invitation from His Holiness Pope Francis and the Pontifical Swiss Guard. In 2023, the organization was also received at the state level in Montenegro, where they met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of Education, Sports, and Human and Minority Rights.
Photos by Milen Torbev
