Establishment of Youth Center in Pernik - a model for high standards of youth work

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The main objective&nbsp;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&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">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.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Specific objectives: regular educational activities based on non-formal educational methods,&nbsp;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;&nbsp;active involvement of youth&nbsp;in the YC activities; create and develop innovative activities for young people;&nbsp;ensure sustainability of the project activities.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation 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.

Project partners

• Intermezzo Ungdomsorganisasjon Donor project partner· Norway
• Vojvodina Environmental Movement Project partner· Serbia