Description
In North-East Bulgaria Roma youth are among the most vulnerable groups and therefore are more prone to social exclusion and poverty. The objective of the Dobrich Municipality project is to break the stereotype and to attract young people from segregated neighborhood for communication and creative activities focused on their adaptation to the multiethnic environment in the community centre. The Youth Centre was built and established 44 years ago and it will promote young talented people through workshops and clubs in different areas- theatre, art, group choir, solely and instrumental music, computer animation, ecology etc. The challenge is the modernisation to enrich its activities towards children and youth at risk and to develop actions sound to the established European standards. The main project outcomes are: 553 children and young people involved in activities and initiatives in the Youth Center, including 25 % youth from the Roma community/disadvantage/dropped-out of the education system; employees of the Center involved in the initiatives - 2 Roma mediators and 5 youth employees. The mediators, youth employees and the partners will help getting these results.
Summary of project results
In the implementation of the project, young people between the ages of 15 and 29, including those at risk of social exclusion, disadvantaged persons, Roma and other ethnic groups are attracted and integrated into the community through inclusion in the activities of the Youth Center Dobrich. The project enabled the study of the interests and needs of the young people in the town of Dobrich, focusing on young people at risk of social exclusion, disadvantaged people, remote settlements, Roma and other ethnic groups based on who made themselves project activities. The youth center is recognized by young people as an attractive youth territory for their development, which allows for expression and free communication, for discovering and developing the talent in every young person through the formed groups of interests of different orientation, for motivation for promotion the degree of education and the desire for realization, the stimulation of entrepreneurship as an opportunity for work realization and others. As a result of the implementation of the project, cultural, educational, motivational events, informal education, fieldwork, organized and realized youth exchanges, etc. were organized. The youth actively participated in the social life of the town of Dobrich, they had the opportunity for expression and equal access to participation in the activities regardless of the social situation or belonging and developed their skills and potential. The total number of young people planned to participate in the project activities is 553, and at the end of the project, the total number of participants is 5084 young people. Long-term trainings - School for parents, Young leader Academy, Healthy lifestyle, First steps to successful career with 130 participants; non-formal education in human rights and discussion meetings were participated 1292 young people; 17 clubs with approximately 360 participants, the participants developed their skills and potential, acquainted met and communicated with new people, worked in a team, gained patience, perseverance and discipline; 153 young people had the opportunity to exchange their experience and good practices, participating in 9 youth exchanges; 292 people participated in 12 round tables on topics such as Good results in working with young people at risk in the local community, Participation of young people in the life of municipalities, Non-formal education and good practices in youth work, etc; Cultural events and leisure activities, Workshops, Information campaigns, Sports activities and other activities
Summary of bilateral results
The main achievements at the bilateral level are expressed in shared good practices, professional development and team building experience, increased knowledge, skills and competences, looking for new challenges in youth work, turning the youth center into a place for young people. The team was able to participate in the formation of youth policies at the international level, to exchange experience, share the achievements and compare its results with the donor countries and other European youth organizations. It has enabled the Youth Center in Dobrich to be more internationally recognizable as a center that meet the Quality Label criteria. Bilateral partnership contributed to the implementation of the project through new methods of youth work, intercultural exchange, opportunities to apply for future joint projects and initiatives, acquaintance with other international youth organizations, exchange of experiences and practices in the field of youth policies, respect for democratic the rights of disadvantaged children and young people and their reintegration into society. Bilateral partnerships made it possible to organize visits to such centers in order to find new challenges in the work of the Dobrich Youth Center. The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities - a project partner, organizes a youth exchange of experience for a total of 10 people, including all Roma mediators and youth workers, project team members and translators. The exchange took place in Oslo and Drammen (Norway). During the exchange the team of Youth center Dobrich met representatives of the KS and learned more about the organisation. As result the project team learned about Norwegian policies on emigration, the way of working in youth houses and youth clubs in Norway and the work of the department with children and young people at risk. The team visited the Riverside youth center in Oslo, cafee “Condio” in Dramen, Introduction center "Drammen Comune" and Youth house Drammen, the school “Alna”, region Alna and sport club “Furuset”. The result of the bilateral partnership is expressed in shared good practices, professional development and team building experience, increased knowledge, skills and competences, looking for new challenges in youth work, turning the youth center into a place for young people.