Fourth Stakeholders Meeting in Bulgaria under the RuralYouthFuture project
On the 19th of February, 2025, the fourth stakeholders group meeting within the frame of the RuralYouthFuture project – “Improving the role of youth policies for rural sustainable development”, co-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme 2021-2027 took place in Peshtera, Bulgaria. Hosts of the event were the two Bulgarian partners, the Association Centre for Sustainability and Economic Growth (CSEG) and the Municipality of Peshtera.
Experts from the Association CSEG briefly presented the main objectives of the project, exchanges of experience and upcoming project activities to the stakeholders. Also, some best practices identified during the interregional study visits in Estonia and Slovenia, which were organized a few months ago, were showcased. An overview of the monitoring and evaluation activities related to the Bulgarian strategy document, the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of Peshtera Municipality 2021-2027, was made.
Various stakeholders took part in the event like representatives of public administrations (Peshtera, Pazardzhik, Panagyurishte and Strelcha), the Peshtera municipal educational department, social workers, representatives of NGOs (CSEG), energy and environmental agencies (REAP and EAP), and an SMEs association (NEST). Most of these organizations comprise high-quality experts in specific sectors like environment protection, sustainable energy, entrepreneurship, and policy making.
This time, following the presentations part, a special focus was given to the potential improvement of the local policy instrument, the IDP. Mrs. Karamitreva, a Deputy Mayor, explained that new measures and projects related to youth empowerment will be integrated into the updated version of the Policy. This new updated version is being now consulted with the civil society and stakeholders from Peshtera Municipality, taking into account the lessons learnt from RuralYouthFuture project. Mrs. Karamitreva explained also about the newly opened Municipal Youth Centre in Peshtera whose aim is to improve the educational and social activities of young people. She explained also that there are some ideas to transfer and adapt Good practices from project partners’ countries to this newly established Youth Centre.
Presentation of the event with good practices from project partners’ countries
