Description
Young people in Bulgaria today are faced with many risk factors such as early drop-out of the education system, unemployment, unhealthy way of life, youth criminality and lack of childcare and youth services. Stara Zagora is an administrative center. There are 25% of young people in the area who identify themselves as members of minority groups. The establishment of a youth center is of utmost importance to enhance personal development and encourage the creative work of young people. The objective of the project is establishment of a youth centre and implementing measures and services to comply with the requirements for a CE Quality mark. The youth centre is a chance for change in consciousness, attitudes and support for social inclusion. For better involvement of young people in non-formal educational activities the centre will have various youth clubs. The unique requirement will be permanent presence and attending classes throughout the year. Roma mediators, youth workers and external lecturers on the project will work with them. Minimum 150 people of young people aged 15 to 29, who have completed an informal training course included in the project activities.
Summary of project results
The concept of building Stara Zagora Youth Center has been elaborated and aligned with the Council of Europe's requirements for institutions working with young people. The Youth Center developed activities for informal learning of young people in order to support their personal development and potential and increase their chances for social inclusion. Activities are held in workshops by interest. In addition to the acquisition of computer skills, language knowledge, etc., many events are conducted to increase the knowledge of young people about a healthy lifestyle, human rights and their role in the community. As a result of objectives set out the following results are achieved: an appropriate infrastructure is built, meeting the quality criteria of the Council of Europe for youth centres. Clubs by interest for youths are created and education programs are developed. Based on the activities implemented, the project indicators are achieved, namely: IYC is awarded Quality Label Award of the Council of Europe; During the project implementation 972 young people, aged 15 to 29 years, are included in the IYC activities, of whom 346 young people at risk and from minority groups. In the field work are identified more than 50 residents of Lozenetz district dropped out from the education system who declared their commitment to continue learning. Eleven of them asked assistance and support from IYC team and at the present moment they are a students. Youth workers and Roma mediators assisted 30 young men in the filling in application papers for fellowship disbursed by the Center for educational integration of children and young people from the Minorities in 2016 – 2017 where as five of them were approved.
Summary of bilateral results