International youth centre - think locally, act globally!

About this project

<p><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt"><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;, sans-serif"><span style="color: #333333">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.</span></span></span></span> 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.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation 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.

Project partners

• Glemmen High School Donor project partner· Norway