In relation to the group

The target group was trained in skills, needed to be active agents for change and development, while developing their team-working experience by deepening their sense of belonging and importance. The young participants acquired knowledge, helping them to critically understand the European youth programmes and their potential to support the awareness for active participation among young people, through youth work. They learned how they can be more active while respecting the European values and concepts, such as human rights, democracy and respect for cultural diversity. They also had the possibility to meet active young Bulgarians with more experience, representatives of local authorities and foreign partner of the organization. The newly acquired knowledge can be grouped in four categories:

1. Opportunities on European level – The participants learned about the European Youth Foundation and the “Youth” programme as well as the future “Youth in action” programme. Also an example of pan European initiative was given with the “All different – all equal” campaign. They also experienced the methods and approaches used in the non-formal education.
2. Projects – The participants learned how projects are developed, funded and implemented; how partnerships are built and enlarged; how donors look at applications; how application can be improved. The whole life cycle of the project was studied in detail. Five sample projects ideas were developed:
   
   • Training young people to succeed – a project supporting youth in their professional development and helping them to find suitable job;
   • Water world – using water sport as extracurricular activities for youth, giving them the opportunity to do sports while developing their personal skills;
   • Graduates Vienna ball – Supporting pupils with less opportunities to improve their social manners and to celebrate their graduation;
   • Salsa fans – using music, and in particular Salsa, as a team-building activity;
   • Media alert – developing skills to work with media and to give good presentations, learning what it means to be journalist and how newspapers are produced. This project was submitted to the EYF for funding.
3. Cooperation with local authorities – The participants learned what indeed the local authorities are and how do they do their work. The European charter on the participation of young people in local and regional life was introduced. Simulations on meetings between local authorities and young people were done. Areas of common interest were identified.
4. Active youth participation – The participants exchanged experience on active participation. They identified their constraints and opportunities to deal with them. Ideas for being active were further developed through the above-mentioned projects.

In relation to “Open Youth”

In relation to the society

• short-term – The project ideas reached indirectly friends and relatives of the participants. It also reached representatives of local authorities and other NGOs. Thus we went far beyond the original target group, disseminating information and experience to much more people.
• long-term – It is believed that the real effect will be seen when the young participants start to implement their ideas. Now they have much more experience and know-how in relation to the opportunities for active participation and they will use it. A clear example is the five project ideas that emerged from “Active youth participation”.

In relation to the theme

• The European youth opportunities were examined from the point of view of the young Bulgarians. Concrete examples were given. Approaches were discussed.
• The project development was studied from a practical point of view. Sample projects were developed. The opportunities for their realization were studied. The participants themselves did the core work and learned how things are done in practice. Many of the topics were presented by Sasa Tkalec – a very active Croatian youth leader with a lot of experience.
• The common interests and mutual opportunities for working with local authorities were examined. Representatives of local authorities were invited to share their views and experience. Concrete examples of result were given.
• “How to be active?” was a theme concretely addressed in the final training although indirectly it was a topic for all the other ones. Here the participants were the active part even more. They studied themselves and found solutions to many of the real world problems that constrain their active social life.