The participants’ intensive program kicked off its first day with a visit to the Archbishop’s Palace in Nicosia. There, His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios IV welcomed the young people and emphasized the importance of such meetings and exchanges.
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 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 realization of the visit. The official Bulgarian delegation supporting 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 – Chief of Staff to the Minister of Education and Science
– Monika Yanakieva – Director of the “Selection, Contracting, and Reporting” Directorate at the Center for Human Resources Development
– Col. Petar Kindalov – Commander of the National Guard Unit
– Col. Iliya Milushev – Advisor to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria
– Mariana Shoteva – Chair of the Administrative Court – Plovdiv
– Giuseppe de Francesco – Honorary Consul of Italy in Plovdiv
• Iliana Andonova – Representative of the Embassy of Cyprus in Bulgaria.
Students had the opportunity to discuss important topics with him, such as tolerance, upholding and preserving traditions, and solidarity between nations. The Archbishop delivered a short lecture on the history of the Cyprus Orthodox Church and the values embedded within it.
For young people from Bulgaria, it was particularly interesting to learn that Cyprus’s educational system thoroughly integrates the study of religion from an early age. Archbishop Georgios added that despite this focus, they are remarkably tolerant and coexist with people of different religions in the name of a better, unified, and understanding society.
The training continued in the spirit of support and acceptance, discussing topics of kindness and mutual respect. The young people were inspired by the visit and enriched their knowledge of the culture and history of Cyprus. As a gesture of gratitude and respect, the meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts, expressing appreciation between our nations.
The participants continue their exchange with upcoming visits and training sessions at some of the country’s important institutions.
The “Youth Guard Squads Association” holds accreditation No. 2025-1-BG01-KA151-YOU-000297794 under the Erasmus+ program, ensuring sustainability and long-term development of projects in the areas of youth policy, leadership, and civic education.
The organization actively develops partnerships with educational institutions in Europe, promoting youth participation, innovation, and intercultural dialogue.
Photos: Milen Torbev
