Youth Empowerment on Contemporary STEM-related Topics
In collaboration with local schools, the Municipality of Peshtera has decided to maximize the impact on sustainable development of youths in the region, implementing informal STEM and ICT education within the frame of the project RuralYouthFuture – Improving the role of youth policies for rural sustainable development. The specific measure that inspired this decision was adopted by the Municipal Council and is titled “Increasing the knowledge and skills of young people in the field of science and ICT, based on good practices and experience from project implementation”. This action is included under Priority 8 “Good education and training, the basis for professional realization”, and Measure 7 “Investments in key skills, including computer and digital skills of human resources, to support the widespread use of ICT and ICT-based services” of the Integrated Development Plan of Peshtera 2021-2027.
The informal STEM and ICT training programme will cover a range of contemporary topics, including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources (RES), climate change, nature-based solutions, waste management, and other relevant technical subjects.
On the 22nd of October 2026, the first educational session was held at the newly established Municipal Youth Center of Peshtera. Experts from the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardjik (REAP) were invited to present lectures on energy efficiency, nature-based solutions and climate changes. They also introduced the INFIRE project (INnovative FInancing solutions for climate planning of REsilient and carbon neutral living areas), which is co-funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. The project aims to increase the capacity of local and regional public authorities for effective planning and financing of climate adaptation and carbon neutrality solutions, while enabling the public authorities to implement, test and monitor the solutions, directly benefiting citizens.
During the session, the REAP team also presented pilot activities implemented by project partners in different regions. The main focus was on the activities and results achieved so far in Bulgaria, including the establishment of an Energy Help Desk in the municipality of Peshtera for consultations on topics related to climate change, energy efficiency, RES, and energy poverty.
To increase citizens’ engagement, two complementary activities were planned – home visits to vulnerable households and small workshops with citizens, during which topics such as energy poverty and climate change are discussed. To support these initiatives, the so-called INFIRE Energy Box was created, which serves as an engagement tool, helping citizens better understand their energy consumption and learn simple and affordable ways to reduce it.
The session provided students with practical knowledge and examples of how energy efficiency and sustainable solutions can be applied in everyday life. At the end of the event, each participant received gadgets from the INFIRE Energy Box together with a guidebook containing simple, low-cost energy saving measures and practical tips on how to cool down during the hot season, which can be implemented at home.
