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Description
The main objective of the project is widening the territorial and age range, as well as diversifying and increasing the variety of activities carried out by the YC team. This gives the team the opportunity to reach young people and their families who live in settlements far from the municipal centre. Through youth activities implemented on the basis of non-formal education methods, cities and villages will be reached in the area where young people at risk and their families reside. This will provide access to the activities of the youth centre of people, who for territorial, socio-cultural or economic reasons are unable to participate directly in the activity of the centre. The focus of the YC team is on children, young people and the elderly from ethnic minorities, those at risk and dropouts from the formal education system, those placed in residential social services, at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The main goal of the centre''s activities is to involve and create conditions for support, social inclusion and personal development of the people involved. The goal will be achieved by informing, consulting, trainings, etc. In order to ensure better and more diverse activities, the youth centre team, together with representatives of the target group, will participate in the exchange of experience and good practices with partner organizations from the country, donor countries and other EU countries. Through exchanges of good practices and the inclusion of young people from vulnerable groups in them, it will be possible to broaden the horizons of young people, enrich their culture and create self-confidence in them. The implementation of activities of the Youth Centre in its various directions is aimed at creating a prerequisite for social inclusion and inclusion of vulnerable groups, personal development and acquisition of new knowledge and skills, psychological and counseling support and empowerment of young people and their families.
Summary of project results
The need to upgrade, expand and diversify the activities of the International Youth Center Stara Zagora. Expanding the territorial scope and the scope of the target group, ensuring access to the activities of the youth center for young people at risk from other settlements in the region, who due to territorial, socio-cultural or economic reasons were unable to directly participate in the center''s activities. The need to activate the inactive young people and give them acquire personal and social skills. The need, young people to realize their importance and role in society and to increase their engagement in socially significant causes. Optimizing the conditions for the implementation of social inclusion of vulnerable groups.
Through the active field work of the youth workers and educational mediators from the International Youth Center the territorial scope was widened and the activities of the center reached even people who live small and distant villages in the region. By upgrading the offered services and including new ones, all the necessary conditions were created for attracting new users.
An adjacent room to the Youth Center building was thoroughly renovated, furnished and equipped thus establishing a modern and comfortable place for the young people where they can spend their free time and connect with others in a nice and friendly environment. A music room and an art studio were established and equipped with appropriate equipment, instruments, materials and supplies where all can crate art and upgrade their talents. A photovoltaic system with a battery for storing the produced electricity was designed and built, which is a long term decision for savings and reduction of the ecological footprint and would have a positive impact of nature. Different trainings, youth camps, sport events, youth initiatives and discussions were organized with focus to strengthen the motivation of young people to learn and continue to develop their skills. Long term trainings like "Psychological course", "Five steps to leadership", "Mix academy" and many others events were organized with focus to empower young people and make them active citizens. Psychological consultation for young people were provided. The International Youth Centre organized and held a "National conference on youth work prospects" that managed to gather most of the organizations and institutions related to youth work in order to pin the problems of the youth sector and draw a map for the steps that have to be taken to solve them.
During the implementation of the project 6692 people were covered in different activities of the International Youth Center, 4203 of them youth and 2489 non-youth. Established new multifunctional hall, appropriately furnished and equipped for the leisure time of the young people. Established music room and art studio where to crate art, play music or spent nice time with others. Built a new photovoltaic system with a battery for storing the produced electricity that will led to savings and in long term would reduce the pollution of the planet. Expanded and diversified activities of the youth center in Stara Zagora on a territorial and age basis. Conducted 5 international exchanges of experience and good practices with young people including from vulnerable groups. Financed and implemented 51 youth led initiatives.
Summary of bilateral results
Four bilateral initiatives were implemented within the duration of the project between the project partners. In October, 2023 and March, 2024 representatives of International Youth Centre (IYC) Stara Zagora and young people from the region visited Glemmen High School. Both visits were very fruitful and inspiring. Special focus was given to youth leisure and free time activities encouraging youth participation as well as the approach of the school to young people from disadvantaged families. In October, 2022 and then in May, 2023, representatives of Glemmen High School visited Stara Zagora. During their visit to Bulgaria, they got familiar with the IYC''s best practices, youth activities, the renovated facilities of the centre with a special focus on the youth initiatives and the support of the improvement of the youth and their social skills.