Press conferences were held in Bulgaria and Serbia to present the launching the project “Youth Leadership Network”. The project is worth 136,664.55 euros and is funded by the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria-Serbia, CCI No 2014TC16I5CB007, 2014-2020. Nov Pat Association implements the project in partnership with the Voice of Vranje Association, Serbia

The project covers the North-Western region of Bulgaria with a focus on the municipality of Vratsa and the district of Pcinja in Serbia with a focus on the municipality of Vranje. The planned activities will be implemented simultaneously on both sides of the border, which will ensure the achievement of cross-border effect of the project and sustainability of project results. The implementation of the project starts on November 27, 2020 and will end on February 27, 2022.

The project started with the preparation and conduct of a study in the target regions on the opportunities for inclusion of young people in civil society. An analysis of existing policies, strategies, plans and documents to identify the reasons for the low level of civic participation of young people will be developed and 4 focus groups will be conducted in Bulgaria and 3 in Serbia.

Based on the information gathered, the reasons for the low level of involvement of young people in defining local policies will be identified and sample topics for training youth leaders will be identified. 40 young people (20 from Bulgaria and 20 from Serbia) will be involved in the training.

3 two-day training modules are planned in the following thematic areas – “Local and national youth policies”, “Building civic skills” and “Leadership and development opportunities”.

With the help of experienced experts (mentors) the participants in the trainings will develop non-financial projects to solve current local problems. These projects will be discussed at the “I am young and active” camp and will be promoted among the local communities by holding a public discussion of each of the 40 developed projects.

The aim of the project is to build local capacity and a network of youth leaders with an active position, knowledge and skills for civic participation in the formation of local public policies. In support of the work of the cross-border youth network, a web portal “Youth Guarantee” will be created.