Children and Youth at Risk

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? The programme focuses on the main risk factors facing young people in Bulgaria today, such as the early drop-out of the education system, high unemployment, unhealthy way of life, youth criminality and lack of access to childcare and youth services. Roma children and youth are the special focus of the programme as they are among the most vulnerable groups and therefore are more prone to social exclusion and poverty. What will the programme achieve? The programme will in particular support measures to improve access to multicultural early childhood education by widening the coverage of children in age group 3-6 from underprivileged and Roma families in kindergartens, and increase school attendance as well as contribute to the development of more long-term strategies and policies. Training the trainers is very relevant in this regard. How will it be achieved?

• Youth Centres with the Council of Europe Quality Label will be established and promote the priorities of the Council of Europe's youth sector by actively addressing human rights education, intercultural learning, youth participation, active democratic citizenship and social inclusion of young people in its activities, as well as implementing working practices and infrastructure in line with the CoE priorities.
• A range of services related to the acquisition of new skills, culture and sports activities, motivation for personal development, as well as outreach activities directed towards Roma children and youth will be promoted in the Youth Centres.
• Youth Leader Councils will also be established to support the management and activities of the Youth Centres and to ensure the participation of youth in the decision making processes.
• Local NGOs, volunteers, youth workers and experts from local institutions will be involved in the centres.

  The second component, Care for children at risk, aims at widening the coverage of children in age group 3-6 from underprivileged and Roma families in kindergartens and will include the training of pedagogical specialists and management staff in kindergartens to provide early multicultural education. The third component will be carried out as a pre-defined project with the Council of Europe as its project partner. The project concentrates on capacity-building through the training of Roma school mediators, youth workers and kindergarten teachers, as well as the personnel at municipal level. The Council of Europe will also provide educational and training material. How will bilateral relations be strengthened? The programme has a strong bilateral profile with the CoE acting as an International Donor Programme Partner on matters of common interest for the Donor States and Bulgaria in a pan-European perspective.  Further cooperation with Donor State entities is planned under the bilateral fund. What are the partnership opportunities? Activities aimed at exchange of knowledge and experience between project promoters and entities in the Donor States will be supported. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Municipalities or associations of municipalities in Bulgaria.