Description
The project addresses low civic engagement of young people in Sredets Municipality due to lacking local youth structures. The project aims at empowering young people, urging them to be active citizens with the help of a Municipal Youth Council. First, about 300 secondary school students from the town of Sredets will have classes on equal rights, democratic values, tolerance and fair elections. Second, a Municipal Youth Council (MYC) will be set up and 17 councilors will be elected. The MYC will carry out its work for 4 months including 4 sessions with the participation of municipal councilors, 10 sessions of the standing committees and a 3-day exchange of experience with another MYC. The project will benefit the young people in Sredets Municipality, the local authorities and the community in general. The partner will be actively involved at all stages of the project with its expertise. The partner will also provide the premises for MYC.
Summary of project results
Young people in Sredets Municipality are not involved in decision-making on issues important for their future. The project was necessary to make them more actively involved and to set up local youth structures. The project aimed at setting up Municipal Youth Council (MYC) as an empowerment tool for the young people. The goal was implemented in full. MYC met the needs of the young people to take part actively in decision-making and setting policies related to the development of Sredets Municipality. The project contributed to mobilizing young people in schools to change their mindset. The real elections carried out (17 youth councilors were elected) enabled young people to feel important and to find their place in society. Empowerment of young people helped them understand their right to choose their future and fight for it. 3 training cycles of more than 300 students were held. The training courses helped shape new mindset of children and young people and integrated them fully in the democratic values of the civil society. MYC exchanged experience with Tundja Municipality and visited the National Assembly where the MYC members met MPs and discussed topics of common interest. For more information, see:
http://justdecides.blogspot.bg/ and
https://www.facebook.com/groups/410514649113179/?fref=ts
Summary of bilateral results