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Empowering Rural Youth

2025-1-BG01-KA155-YOU-0003027882025Discover EU inclusion actionongoing
Countries: BG · Grant: €34,766

Objectives

The KA155 Action offers a unique opportunity to address the pressing challenges faced by youth living in the rural town of Tryavna, Bulgaria. Geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged, Tryavna’s young people face numerous barriers in accessing educational, social, and cultural opportunities that are more readily available in urban areas. These challenges not only limit the personal growth of youth in Tryavna but also hinder their ability to participate meaningfully in the broader European community. Many of these young people feel disconnected from European values and lack the opportunity to engage with peers from other EU countries. Furthermore, the financial constraints and lack of adequate transportation infrastructure limit their ability to take part in important European mobility programs such as DiscoverEU, which is intended to empower young people by providing travel opportunities and facilitating cross-cultural exchanges. The lack of access to such opportunities deepens social exclusion and prevents young people from building the skills necessary to engage in European civic life. The DiscoverEU program provides a valuable solution by allowing rural youth to break free from these geographical and social barriers, enabling them to experience European culture, develop new skills, and connect with other young Europeans. The project will target youth from Tryavna to offer them a transformative experience that fosters empowerment, social inclusion, and the cultivation of a European identity. The primary objective of this project is to provide the youth of Tryavna with the opportunity to participate in the DiscoverEU program, thereby overcoming geographical isolation and limited exposure to European cultures. Through this initiative, young people will be given the chance to travel to different EU countries, allowing them to broaden their cultural understanding and develop a deeper sense of European identity. By engaging with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, they will gain valuable insights into European values such as solidarity, tolerance, and democracy. This mobility experience will not only offer opportunities for personal growth but will also allow these young people to acquire critical skills, including intercultural communication, adaptability, and teamwork. By participating in DiscoverEU, the youth of Tryavna will be better equipped to face the challenges of an increasingly globalized world and will develop the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the social, cultural, and political life of both their local communities and the European Union. The objective of fostering a stronger European identity and a sense of belonging to the broader EU community will be central to the project, enabling the youth of Tryavna to feel more connected to the European Union and empowered to engage in the processes that shape its future. A secondary but equally important objective of this project is to tackle the issue of social exclusion among rural youth in Bulgaria. Many young people in Tryavna and similar towns are excluded from EU opportunities due to financial constraints, lack of information, and logistical challenges related to travel. This exclusion is a significant barrier to their personal development and engagement with European societal processes. The DiscoverEU Inclusion Action aims to break down these barriers by ensuring that the youth of Tryavna can access opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Through targeted outreach, the project will raise awareness about DiscoverEU, provide assistance in the application process, and offer support for logistical and financial aspects of travel. In doing so, the project seeks to ensure that these young individuals, who are often marginalized, are not left behind in the European project. Moreover, the project will emphasize the importance of social inclusion by encouraging young people from Tryavna to become ambassadors for European values within their local community. By participating in DiscoverEU, they will return home with increased awareness of their role as active European citizens and will be empowered to share their experiences with peers, fostering intercultural dialogue and greater social cohesion within their community. This objective aligns with the broader goals of the European Union to promote social inclusion, reduce inequalities, and strengthen the active participation of young people in European democratic processes. Finally, this project aims to equip the youth of Tryavna with the skills and experiences necessary for their personal and professional development. Through the DiscoverEU mobility program, participants will not only gain exposure to different cultures but will develop essential soft skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and intercultural collaboration. These skills are critical for young people as they navigate their education, careers participation in civic society.

Project partners (1)