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Description
The main objective is to provide effective activities aimed at social inclusion and personal development of young people with a special focus on vulnerable groups, develop quality youth activities and policies at local, national and international level. The main mission of the YC is to serve the youth sector and young people, encourage their active participation in the formulation of educational programmes and policies at a local and national level. Priority in the project implementation will be to provide activities that will meet the identified needs of young people and ensure their active participation in the activities of the YC. The YC in Pernik will provide opportunities for non-formal education in the areas of democratic values, human rights, youth participation and social rights and will provide educational support for young people in need. The Center will develop activities in several key areas, including social inclusion activities, training and education modules, developing the international relations with organizations with a similar vision and mission. The target group is young people aged 15 to 29; young people from vulnerable groups, representatives of ethnic minorities, youth from social institutions, those who are at risk and/or have dropped out of the education system, as well as those who are at risk of social exclusion. The Youth Center will work with equal concern for all young people, regardless of their ethnic, social, cultural and religious backgrounds, with a view to making a lasting change in their lives. Specific objectives: regular educational activities based on non-formal educational methods, activities aimed at personal development and improved inclusion of vulnerable groups; create civic commitment among young people; promote the Council of Europe values and human rights; active involvement of youth in the YC activities; create and develop innovative activities for young people; ensure sustainability of the project activities.
Summary of project results
Lack of modern and adequate infrastructure for conducting activities aimed at inclusion and interaction of and between young people on the territory of the municipality.
An existing problem was the isolation of young people from vulnerable groups, including Roma, to reduce the negative impact of which the implementation of the project significantly contributed, with the implementation of numerous initiatives aimed at the inclusion of disadvantaged young people, including Roma.
Minimal opportunities or even a complete lack of such for more active communication, exchange of ideas and rapprochement of young people from the municipality of Pernik with their peers from other cities in Bulgaria and beyond.
An International Youth Center was built, with adequate spaces for training, leisure, a library, and work spaces that young people can recognize as their place.
A significant added value to the project implementation is the formation of a team of highly qualified and constantly expanding their competencies experts (youth workers and educational mediators). Organized and conducted 6 trainings on Council of Europe values - human rights, democracy, rule of law, and other relevant youth priorities, involving 100 young people. Promoting and developing volunteering among young people as a form of employment, active citizenship, community service and as a driving force for personal development, learning and competitiveness - organizing trainings and initiatives with 104 young people. Organized 3 trainings aimed at stimulating young people''s civic engagement - involving 53 young people. Training activities and initiatives to promote a multicultural approach, democratic values and active inclusion with prarticipatio of 90 young people. Organized and supported youth trainings, initiatives and campaigns on community-based causes, promoting volunteering, creating more opportunities for young people to access non-formal education and lifelong learning, making full use of leisure time useful knowledge and skills - 48 events with a reach of 425 young people, 142 of which are from Roma ethnicity. Organized seminars, roundtables and conferences on topics related to the application of EU law and national legislation to protect democratic values, human rights, youth participation and social rights of young people, as "Do we know the institutions", "Career guidance here and out", "Team and team interaction", "Communication, leadership and soft skills", "Civic participation", Volunteer recruitment campaigns, Demonstrations and debate trainings involving more than 330 young people. Conducted 3 Youth Academies to bring together organizations and institutions working with and for young people and to train future youth leaders, trainers and youth workers, involving 60 young people. Opportunities were provided for young people to participate in the exchange of experience with other youth centers, both from the country and abroad, including with the project partners - Eco Center Radulovački in Serbia and with Norwegian young people during exchange fo experience with the Intermezzo Ungdomsorganisasjon.
An adequate infrastructure has been built, providing the opportunity to conduct nonformal training and various types of events, provoking creative initiatives, an opportunity of rationalization of leisure time, providing accommodation and food, which in a short time has become an attractive place for young people.
An expert and trained team of youth workers, educational mediators and staff of the Youth Center has been formed, who are the main intangible asset of the project implementation and driving force behind its activity. The opportunities to broaden horizons by establishing meaningful relationships and exchange of experience and good practices with experts and young people from other youth centers in Bulgaria and Europe and participation in networks and various forums. A network of volunteers has been created at the Youth Center, who complement the team working at the center and multiply its efforts in the right direction. An opportunity is provided for young people to get support, to develop, to find a place, where everyone is accepted, regardless of gender, religion, sexual preferences, ethnicity, etc.
The long-term effect of the project implementation will reflect positively on young people from the Municipality of Pernik, who will have a wide range of opportunities to participate in various types of activities, to initiate activities, to communicate with peers, to participate in the socio-political life of the city, to be involved in national and European projects and initiatives and to consciously form their worldview.
Since 2024, the Youth Center Pernik has been elected as the Chair of the National Network of Youth Centers in Bulgaria, and over the last year and a half years, efforts of the whole team have been focused on recognizing the work of the youth worker, on creating ethical rules of the staff and drafting national standards for the Youth Center, recognition youth centres as a main body for implementing the national youth policy at the local level and as an important player in the field of youth policy
Summary of bilateral results
The project team, together with young people from Pernik, visited the partner - Intermezzo Ungdom, Norway, where they learned about the partner''s experience, organization and different working methods in communication, welcoming and working with international groups of young people, including rules for working with underprivileged groups and ensuring the safety of participants, the use of local natural resources for outdoor youth activities. Discussions were held on the methods of reaching young people with limited opportunities, at risk, about the benefits of participating in European and international youth programs.A youth exchange was carried out with the participation of 15 young people from Norway, including the partner Intermezzo Ungdom, who visited Pernik in the period 24 - 27.04.2024 and took part in the International conference for green youth work and the opening event of the Center building.