InterAction for Action 2 November, 2015

THE CITY

q The biggest city on Bulgarian Black Sea coast q The biggest Bulgarian port q Population – 356 713 people q Tourist destination - 5 resorts, 1 400 000 tourists

60 countries /2014/ q 26-century history – cradle of ancient, medieval, revival period and modern culture /the oldest processed gold in the world

YOUTH ENVIRONMENT

q 64 schools, 52 Kinder gartens, q 5 universities – Naval Academy, Economical, Technical, Medical and Varna Free University, over 35 000 students q 4 colleges and 4 scientific institutes q Young people in the city – 21%

YOUTH ENVIRONMENT q Well developed youth infrastructure and facilities q About 300 NGO-s working with young people q International connections – 26 twin cities, membership in more than 10 international networks q Entertainment opportunities - 25 annual festivals, international sports, cultural and congress events

The Title European Youth Capital

q Initiative of the EYF since 2009 /, Torino, , , , , Cluj-Napoca, Ganja/ q 1 year period + 2 years preparation q International and regional level recognition of cultural and professional youth issues, forum for creative thinking, active youth involvement, sustainable long term programs for improving youth environment

Why Varna? q Independent municipal structure and budget q Local funding program for youth projects – 125 000 E / 37 projects/ q Municipal voluntary service q Youth forum for partnership with local authorities – over 80 people q Consultative youth council – 45 youth organizations q National Youth Forum - meeting of youth organizations q National youth exhibition /Bg NGO-s/ – 11 editions q Active youth NGOs – NYF, YSPDB, FUNCITY The Winning Strategy

q Social innovations - a tool for meaningful youth participation through daily interactions, finding solutions in various fields such as education, policy making, labour market, health care, integration of marginal groups q Social entrepreneurship – socio-economic inclusion as element of citizenship, a tool and focus for spreading the opportunities for business development q Non-formal education and learning by doing – leadership, volunteering, event design, fundraising q Changing models and attitudes – participation-friendly community culture, new participation tools /social media, joint design of services, blogs/ q Widening range of local actors – unconventional participation, meetings, debates, attending Commission meetings Our goals How to achieve them?

q Civic participation in the Ø (Re)-establishing the dialogue decision-making processes between institutions and young people q Overcoming growing political Ø New forms of empowering young disengagement of youth people – small changes through daily interactions, projects and ideas q Dialogue between generations, Ø Networking, sharing, new practices different social groups and of civic involvement and tolerance, subcultures non-formal education q Cross-sectoral partnerships and Ø Partner networks for working models effective common initiatives from to Varna and back, EYC capitals network q Improved environment and Ø New Youth Centre, better better opportunities for young perspectives, alternative spaces and people in Varna and methods for enhancing youth potential, mobility park Innowave – a wave for social transformation q Varna – youth participation q Inno Think Tank – creative industries q Varna Voluntary Service – skill building, experience gaining, validating informal education q InnoCentre – conferences, events, meetings q Black Sea Youth Centre – youth initiatives q Youth and Community Centers Network – info services q Varna on the map – promotion of social innovations across EU Innowave – a wave for social transformation q The Youth Pro – talents, career development, youth employment q Youth Media Academy – youthful approaches to communication q Inno Jump – healthy environment and active life q Fucity festival – space for talents and interests q Project for millions – supporting society oriented projects, social inclusion q EYC network – EYC in Action, Varna on the Wave of Innovations q InnoMove – mobility projects, capacity building trainings

You can find us at: www.varna2017.bg Facebook: Varna2017

Mirela Donkova International relations [email protected] [email protected]