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Description
The main objective of the project is to improve the welfare of children and young people at risk and to expand the territorial range of the YC activities. The main activities of the project aimed at improving the conditions for equal access to education, training and work; enhancing motivation for inclusion of children and parents from ethnic minorities, creating prerequisites for social inclusion; integration activities for children and young people by organizing common initiatives and changing public attitudes towards greater tolerance for young people at risk, through continuing and developing existing activities and conducting new ones, which will increase the diversity, interest and number of young people involved in the activities. The main target group is young people, students at risk of dropping out or already dropped out of the education system; young people at risk of ethnic minorities; young people at risk living in small and remote settlements or in economically less developed areas; people not included in the youth group related to youth participation in youth center activities: including children, parents, teachers, mentors and other representatives of the local community. The project aimed at improving the conditions and environment for equal access to education, training and work of different age groups; creating preconditions for social inclusion; social and cultural integration of young people in society; promoting young people''s non-formal learning, vocational training and soft skills training; involvement in the activities organized by young people through Youth Center initiatives and proposals; motivation for continuing education; changing public attitudes towards greater tolerance for at-risk youth; encouraging collaboration between Vratsa Youth Center, youth organizations and institutions for ensuring successful inclusion of young people at risk in the society life.
Summary of project results
Expand the territorial scope and increase the diversity of age groups the youth center works with. Activate young people living in small and remote settlements in less economically developed areas. Establishment of sustainable environment for active participation of young people. The main challenge was to reach and engage young people from the NEETs group (young people who are not working, studying or training).
During the implementation period of the project the scope of the activities was significantly expanded. Through the implemented of different non-formal trainings, such as the “Without plan” program and the Summer Youth Academy the active participation of young people was encouraged not only in the center’s initiatives, but also in the activities of other youth organizations in the city. Motivational talks and public health campaigns dedicated to tuberculosis prevention, drug abuse and gambling addiction were conducted. The youth centre was a host of various sport events and health discussions which aim was to promote healthy lifestyle and nutrition among people. Training sessions on aggression, digital literacy and financial planning were organized to equip young people with essential skills. Career development workshops were conducted together with the local employment agency to help and encourage young people in their future careers. Non-formal trainings and different activities were organized in the small and rural areas in the region to encourage students to stay in school. The well maintained and daily refreshed facebook and you tube pages made an active presence of the youth center thus managing to reach more than 4 500 people.
The project empowered the young people, supported vulnerable groups and promoted sustainable development in the region. Through sports, arts, training programs and international exchanges, 4 289 people, 2 758 of them youth gained valuable skills, increased their civic engagement and became more active citizens of their communities. Forty youth-led initiatives were financed and implemented during the project duration, three summer youth academies, three educational programs "Without plan" and a lot of non-formal educational training were conducted.
Summary of bilateral results
Two bilateral initiatives were conducted between Youth Center Vratsa and Youth centre Hamarinn. In November, 2023 five representatives from Bulgaria visited Youth centre Hamarinn in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland and exchange experience and good practices with their colleagues. The visit was dedicated to board and role-playing games as a non-formal method for training and factor in activating young people. In March, 2024 representatives from Iceland visited Vratsa and got acquainted to the activities of the youth center. An accent was put on the presentation of the handbook "Participatory Art", developed and designed together with the other project partner of Youth Center Vratsa, Timis County Youth Foundation. The goal of the handbook is to provide a comprehensive collection of methods and tools for utilizing participatory arts to activate young people, promote tolerance and cultivate skills within the community. Due to the fruitful partnership of the three organizations and the vast interest of the users, the handbook was published in Bulgarian, English and Icelandic languages.