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Description
The main objective of the project is to expand the territorial scope of the activities of the Youth Center Plovdiv and to introduce continuing, new and innovative packages of activities with the purpose of meeting the needs not only of the young people up to the age of 29, but also of persons outside the group of young people – children, parents and others, incl. representatives of vulnerable groups. The specific objectives aimed at: increasing the number of youth-initiated activities; implementation of activities beyond the premises of the Center and mobile work in settlements close to the City of Plovdiv; providing access to the activities of the Youth Center to disadvantaged young people and vulnerable groups; developing a package of innovative and up-to-date activities tailored to the needs of young people; increasing the number of participants in various initiatives, trainings, etc.; active involvement of users of different age ranges; improving the quality of the services offered so far by the Youth Center Plovdiv, etc. The set of measures planned for the new YC programs, which will now also take place in the settlements close to Plovdiv, are aimed at: expanding the scope of existing services, introducing innovative and mobile services, conducting a range of additional non-formal trainings, developing a set of activities with the community and representatives of groups other than young people, active work with disadvantaged groups/communities. The expected results from the project activities’ implementation are: improving the access of young people to the services of the YC; enhancing the socio-economic development of less developed municipalities; improving co-operation and relations with donor countries; upgrading the activities of the YC; activating the participation of youth and non-youth; providing innovative and upgraded services to attract and socially involve young people, incl. people from vulnerable groups, etc.
Summary of project results
Expanding the territorial scope and the scope of the target group of the Youth Center Plovdiv. Increasing the diversity of the offered activities and overcoming socio-economic disparities by providing access to services and activities for young people living in small and remote municipalities through mobile activities. Addressing the lack of awareness among young people about opportunities to spend their free time in a meaningful way. Providing a safe environment for the implementation of youth ideas and projects.
The renovation of tree halls in a nearby building and the establishment of two open-air classrooms in the adjacent yard of the youth center, the built photovoltaic system and the replacement of the lightning in the main building turned Youth Center Plovdiv into a modern, safe and friendly place where young people and non-youth can spend their time. Through wider publicity and active field work in the near towns and villages the offered services and activities were widely presented and gain publicity among representatives of all age groups. Through different educational activities, meetings and non-formal training sessions focused no leadership, civic engagement, community development, teamwork, social entrepreneurship, communication skills and media literacy was increased the number of the visitors of the youth center from Plovdiv and the small and less developed municipalities who were covered and included in the offered activities. The upgraded and innovative activities led to more active participation of the young people and persons outside this group. Seven educational forums "New Perspectives" focused on innovative teaching methods and the integration of formal and non-formal approaches were organized. Different long term skill development programs like "Young Economist", "Young Researcher", "Turning and Idea into a Youth Project" etc. were conducted all aimed to help young people in their career orientation and entrepreneurship training. The developed digital media literacy program "Youth in action" and "Youth in Action 2" together with representatives from the other youth centers in Bulgaria and the project partners Norsensus Mediaforum and “Applied Research and Communication” Foundation were the foundation of the conducted Digital-Media Literacy Program focused on critical thinking, reasonable media use and peer-to-peer education methods. The implementation of ten international visits with youth centers, youth centers with Council of Europe Quality Label and non-governmental organizations allowed youth workers, educational mediators and the other participants to exchange experience and good practices in youth work, environmental sustainability, community leadership and digital literacy.
The project achieved significant results in youth empowerment, education and social inclusion, enhanced personal and professional skills, preparing young people for their future career and encouraging civic engagement. The offered activities improved opportunities for vulnerable groups and strengthened social cohesion. The project helped a more active, skilled and socially responsible community to be formed by offering a safe place, understanding and support. During the project 44 youth-led initiatives were financed and implemented, 7 youth forums "Truth or Dare" were organized, 7 educational forums "New perspectives", 7 charity bazaars and 2 international youth festivals were conducted. Two handbooks for digital-media literacy "Youth in Action" and "Youth in Action 2" were published . The project covered 4 916 people in the offered activities 2 810 of them youth and 2 106 non-youth.
Summary of bilateral results
Four bilateral initiatives were implemented during the project. In May,2022 and November, 2023, representatives from the four youth centers in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian partner “Applied Research and Communication” Foundation visited Oslo, Norway. The visits was to discuss the achieved results from the jointly developed comprehensive digital media literacy programme "Youth in Action " and "Youth in Action 2"