No CB007.1.21.343 the Project Is Co-Funded by EU Through The

Home , Berkovitsa, Boljevac, Boychinovtsi, Chiprovtsi, Chuprene, Dimovo

Project "Grounds for better future of our youth" No CB007.1.21.343

The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–Serbia Programme

This document has been produced in the framework of Project CB007.1.21.343 "Grounds for better future of our youth". The project is funded by the INTERREG-IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Bulgaria-Serbia Programme CCI Number 2014TC16I5CB007, Priority Axis 2 "Youth", Specific Objective 2.1 "Skills and Entrepreneurship". Leading partner in the project is the Cultural and Information Center Boljevac (Serbia), with project partner Chiprovtsi Municipality (Bulgaria). The total budget of the project is 502,440.41 euro, with an implementation period of 18 months.

This project aims to promote better understanding and cooperation among partners, in particular addressing youth needs, improving their quality of life and preparing them to succeed, as well as creating stronger links between the two partner municipalities of Boljevac and Chiprovtsi.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria-Serbia Programme, CCI No 2014TC16I5CB007. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Chiprovtsi Municipality and Cultural-Educational Center Boljevac and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Managing Authority of the Programme.

The study is conducted under the project "Grounds for better future of our youth" No CB007.1.21.343 under the Interreg-IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Bulgaria - Serbia Programme, CCI Number: CCI 2014TC16I5CB007.

Introduction

The most urgent threat to the further development of the Chiprovtsi and Boljevac regions is depopulation, which is mainly the result of youth migration from smaller settlements to bigger cities due to their better prosperity opportunities.

In order to tackle the problem of high youth unemployment, which is considered the main reason for the high migration of young people, a new focus on young people's entrepreneurship is needed. Unfortunately, the Serbian and Bulgarian education systems still do not recognize entrepreneurship as a topic to be included in the regular curriculum, and young people in the region do not have much knowledge and skills in terms of entrepreneurship. The purpose of the studies, analyzes and seminars of this project is to overcome this discrepancy.

Young people in this region are seriously lacking suitable premises where youth activities can be held. And the municipal authorities of Chiprovtsi and Boljevac make considerable efforts to meet the needs of youth, but the migration problem is still ongoing. At present, Boljevac Municipality has a Cultural and Educational Center (CEC) as a designated place where youth activities are held.

Unfortunately, CEC does not meet the needs of youth due to the poor condition of the building. As a result, the cost of operating the CEC is high, and it is itself capable of providing very limited opportunities for young people to carry out their activities.

Apart from the educational needs of the young people, Chiprovtsi Municipality also focuses on meeting the needs for improving recreation areas, parks and playgrounds as another approach to improving the quality of life of young families and reducing the migration of young people.

The envisaged reconstruction of the CEC in Boljevac and 2 playgrounds in the municipality of Chiprovtsi will increase the engagement of young people in the production activities and will provide the most adequate space for activities related to young people. In addition, youth entrepreneurship seminars, training and practical guidance will improve the quality of life of young people.

In order for the planned activities to be as responsive as possible to the needs of young people in the region concerned, the present study and analysis of the potential of the cross-border region to reduce youth immigration is planned and elaborated. By conducting a sociological survey among the defined target groups and carrying out a number of varied and correlation analyzes, the goal is to gain a better understanding of the underlying causes that lead young people of different age groups and with different levels of education and experience to migrate from the area.

Contents

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY AND ANALYSIS ...... 10 Main objective of the research and analysis ...... 11 Specific objectives of the study and analysis ...... 11 Expected results from the study and analysis ...... 11 Direct beneficiaries ...... 12 METHODOLOGY ...... 13 Overview ...... 14 Research and analysis of available statistics and information ...... 15 Sociological study ...... 15 Survey ...... 17 Personal interviews ...... 18 Target group ...... 19 Statistical analysis of the obtained results ...... 20 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TARGET GROUP ...... 21 Characteristics of the population in Montana region ...... 22 Characteristics of the population in Zajecar region ...... 24 General characteristics of the target group ...... 26 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ...... 28 Economic development of the Montana region ...... 29 Economic development of Zajecar region ...... 34 STATE AND REGIONAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES ...... 39 State and regional policies and strategies Bulgaria ...... 40 National Youth Strategy 2012 – 2020 ...... 40 Regional Development Strategy for Montana region 2014 - 2020 ...... 41 Municipal Development Plan of Montana Municipality 2014-2020 ...... 42 Municipal Development Plan of Chiprovtsi Municipality 2014-2020 ...... 42 State and regional policies and strategies Serbia ...... 44 National Youth Strategy 2015 – 2025 ...... 44

Regional Development Strategy of Timok Region for the period 2011 - 2018 ...... 45 Strategy for Sustainable Development of Boljevac Municipality ...... 46 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ...... 47 Educational opportunities in Montana region ...... 48 Educational opportunities in Zajecar district ...... 51 JOB OPPORTUNITIES ...... 54 Job Opportunities in Montana region ...... 55 Job Opportunities in Zajecar district ...... 58 LIVING CONDITIONS ...... 60 Living conditions in Montana region ...... 61 Living conditions in Zajecar District ...... 65 KEY FINDINGS FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION AND CONDITIONS ...... 69 Analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats ...... 70 Summary ...... 73 HYPOTHESIS AND ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS FROM THE SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY ...... 77 Presentation and analysis of the main survey results ...... 78 Correlation analysis of the survey results ...... 84 CONCLUSION ...... 97 Measures to reduce the number of young migrants ...... 99 Focus and scope of planned seminars...... 101

Contents of the tables

Table 1 Population by age groups and gender, 2014 – 2015 ...... 24

Table 2 Realized investments in new assets - facilities and technical structure, 2015 (RSD) ...... 36

Table 3 Distribution of investments by business areas ...... 37

Table 4 Cinemas, theaters and museums in the Zajecar district, 2015 ...... 66

Table 5 Factor analysis of questions related to employment and opportunities in the region ...... 85

Table 6 Factor analysis of questions related to emigration attitudes ...... 86

Table 7 Factor analysis of questions related to the desire for emigration ...... 86

Table 8 Influence of independent variables on the desire for emigration abroad ...... 89

Table 9 Influence of the sub-factors included in the "salary and opportunity" factor on the desire for emigration abroad ...... 91

Table 10 Influence of the sub-factors included in the “emigration” factor on the desire for emigration abroad ...... 92

Table 11 Influence of independent variables on the desire to emigrate to another city ...... 93

Table 12 Influence of sub-factories included in the "salary and opportunity" factor on the desire to emigrate to another city ...... 94

Table 13 Influence of sub-factories involved in the “emigration” factor on the desire for emigration to another city ...... 95

Contents of the Figures

Graph 1 Persons who have changed their place of residence in Serbia in 2016 by age and gender ...... 25

Graph 2 GDP per capita (2014) ...... 30

Graph 3 Average annual income per household (2015) ...... 31

Graph 4 Relative share of the poor in respect to the poverty line for the country (2013) ...... 31

Graph 5 Average annual employment rate (15-64) (2015) ...... 32

Graph 6 Foreign direct investment in the non-financial sector per capita of the average population (cumulative) (2014) ...... 33

Graph 7 Unemployed by age groups in the total number of unemployed, 2016 ...... 34

Graph 8 Average earnings excluding taxes and contributions ...... 35

Graph 9 Educational degree of population aged 15 and over ...... 51

Graph 10 Students who have completed secondary education, 2015 ...... 52

Graph 11 Distribution of respondents by age ...... 78

Graph 12 Distribution of respondents by education ...... 79

Graph 13 Classification by levels of society corresponding to the level of wealth ...... 80

Graph 14 Estimation of the prospects in financial terms, if young people stay in their country ...... 81

Graph 15 Main reasons for considering emigration abroad ...... 82

Annexes to the study and analysis

1. Presented surveys to the young people from the region through web sites and on paper in Bulgarian, Serbian and English

2. Graphs from the descriptive analysis of the results of the sociological survey

3. Complete extracts from SPSS statistical analyzes

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY AND ANALYSIS

Main objective of the research and analysis

The main purpose of this study and analysis is to provide detailed information and understanding of the current migratory trends of young people identified through quantitative research.

Specific objectives of the study and analysis

Elements of the above-mentioned primary objective are the following specific objectives of the study and analysis:

• Provided understanding of the series of migration-related decisions and identified barriers that can prevent migration to certain locations • Provided detailed information on the motivations and aspirations that form the migration decision • Understanding the role and impact of education and career opportunities in both regional and capital cities on migration models

Expected results from the study and analysis

By using different exploratory, statistical and analytical methods, the study and analysis will lead to the following main outcomes for the project partners:

• Possibility to develop informed population forecasts • Better awareness of policy makers and representatives of local and regional authorities in decision-making in the field of youth policies, activities and initiatives

Direct beneficiaries

The results of the survey and analysis will be targeted and used by the following main groups of beneficiaries:

• Young people living in Boljevac and Chiprovtsi; • Women living in Boljevac and Chiprovtsi; • Students from Boljevac and Chiprovtsi • Parents of young children in Boljevac and Chiprovtsi; • Young children in Boljevac and Chiprovtsi; • Local authorities, • Employees in Boljevac and Chiprovtsi; • Employees of CEC

METHODOLOGY

Overview

The study includes not only the economic development of the two municipalities and areas, but also the sociological perspectives and aspects, educational opportunities, living conditions and all the reasons for the migration process. It also addresses all aspects of the living conditions in the cross-border region and seeks to link them to the results of sociological research to find direct links and effects between economic, administrative and living conditions in the region, and the views and attitudes of young people in connection with immigration and the possibilities to decide to reside and live in the region. Finally, the survey and analysis provides policy makers and representatives of local and regional government with decision-making in the field of youth policies, activities and initiatives and other stakeholders with valuable information and measures to reduce the number of young migrants.

Through the found relations, attitudes and needs, a more specific focus and scope of the planned project seminars will be proposed to make them useful and applicable to the specifics of young people in the target region - Montana, Zajecar.

Research and analysis of available statistics and information

In order to ensure the necessary comprehensiveness of the study and to offer different perspectives for the analysis of the conditions and dependencies on youth migration in the region, will be collected, synthesized and analyzed available up-to-date statistical information on:

• economic development of both municipalities and regions • state and regional policies and strategies • educational opportunities • job opportunities • living conditions

For this purpose, official statistical sources of the two countries will be used, information from available reports of youth agencies, relevant ministries, national and international NGOs, Eurostat and others. The information gathered will be used to present the current conditions in the area where young people live and the opportunities offered to them for a decent life and development through education, work and support from state and non-governmental organizations.

The gathered information and its analysis will then serve as a comparison and deduction of relations between the living conditions in the area and the opinions and attitudes of the young people gathered through surveys and personal interviews conducted specifically for this study and analysis.

Sociological study

As currently there is no up to date sociological survey among young people in the Montana and Zajecar regions, in order to present the specific opinion of the young people from the region and to create a real idea of their

wishes for development and eventual stay or leaving the region, has been conducted sociological study among a specifically defined target group. The sociological study is organized by publishing and disseminating special surveys as well as conducting personal interviews in the Montana and Zajecar regions.

Through the study are formulated hypotheses and seeked relations between age groups, gender, education, expectations for professional development, attitudes to stay or emigrate from the region or the country. The formulated hypotheses are based on the study and analysis of available statistics and information, as well as the general impressions of the responses to the surveys and the personal interviews. Using a variety of variational and correlation analyzes, the formulated hypotheses about young people's attitudes to migrate have been tested and proven or rejected.

Thus, through the two main types of studies and analyzes and through the search for a relationship between them, the main problems and attitudes for migration of the young people will be defined as well as the potential of the cross-border region to reduce youth migration.

Survey

On the basis of the set objectives and the expected results of the present study and analysis, a special questionnaire was developed to find answers to key issues related to migration attitudes and the expectations of young people based on their grouping into separate groups. The questionnaires are published on the website of Project No CB007.1.21.343 "Grounds for better future of our youth", the website of Chiprovtsi Municipality and are distributed among the students and young people belonging to the defined target group in the main municipalities in the region - Montana, Vidin, Chuprene, Chiprovtsi, Boychinovtsi, Boljevac, Zajecar, Knjazevac, Sokobanja.

A paper and online version of the questionnaire can be seen in the annex to this document.

Questions and response scales are based on previous surveys and surveys conducted among young people in the country and abroad, a draft of the survey has been tested amongst several target group members, in order to filter inaccuracies and make it easier for the young people to complete the survey.

The dependent variable that is the subject of this study is the desire of young people to emigrate to another city or country. By placing these questions in the survey, it is possible to split the respondents into two groups - Group 1 - young people who do not want to emigrate; Group 2 - Young people who want to emigrate to another city or another country.

In order to facilitate the completion of the surveys and to ensure that answers are received by more respondents, most of the questions in the questionnaire include simple answers with Yes and No. There are also several specific questions to these questions that explain the reasons for the main responses received, as well as focus on subsequent proposals for strategic

measures and seminar and training themes. In order to build a more accurate picture of the youth profile in the region, there are questions about gender, age, education and current employment and opportunities within the region. All these questions form the independent variables that will then be used in the analysis of responses.

The following questions are aimed at determining employment and opportunities within the respondents' region: their ability to live independently on the basis of their income; views on the amount of remuneration they receive and their satisfaction with it; as well as the opportunity, thanks to their education, to find a job in the region that offers them a good remuneration.

In addition, in order to determine young people's expectations of their emigration, are formulated questions related to living conditions abroad and in larger cities.

Personal interviews

In addition to the questionnaires, personal interviews with representatives of the defined target group are also organized. The purpose of the personal interviews is besides collecting specific answers to the survey to encourage young people to freely express their views on the living conditions in the region as well as attitudes and views on their professional and personal development and possible migration in other cities or countries.

According to the current sociological practice interviews were prepared and conducted as interviews of the type - key informants. We have been looking for participants who directly represent the target group and can provide the most complete and comprehensive information on the problems and issues that are the subject of this study and analysis.

For the very conduction of the interviews, halls have been prepared in which moderators have presented the survey's objectives and conducted face-

to-face interviews to help responders give the most accurate and comprehensive answers, while also providing additional information and insights, which reflect their views.

The answers from the personal interviews were used to complement the analysis and add views that were not predicted or identified by the initial analysis of available statistics and information. In this way, there is also greater certainty and accuracy in responding to the survey, achieving a higher engagement of the respondents.

Target group

Given the entrepreneurial focus of the trainings under the project, the population aged 20-35 is most likely to start a business and participate actively in the economic life and development of the region. Therefore, for the proper structuring and organization of the planned training under the project, it is extremely important for the project partners to become acquainted with the attitudes, needs and views of these groups and to be able to offer training that best suits the needs of young people in the region.

To achieve a statistically significant sample of the survey, it is necessary to collect the opinion of at least 5% of these age groups or 1034 in the Montana region (of which 318 people in the age group 20-24, 349 of the age group 25 - 29 and 367 of the 30-34 age group), and for the Zajecar region 965 (305 people in the age group 20-24, 325 in the 25-29 age group, 335 in the 30-34 age group). Half of the responses were gathered through personalized interviews, and the other half - by filling out the questionnaires.

Statistical analysis of the obtained results

For analyzing the data and testing the defined hypotheses, a logistic regression model and Kendall’s Tau Correlation was used, due to the scale used to measure most independent variables. Because the independent variables consist of multiple elements, the reliability of the correlations has been tested by making a factor analysis to verify that the measures are one-dimensional and to form factors to be used in some of the analyzes. Cronbach's analysis was used to test the reliability of the correlations in the various independent variables, for all variables Cronbach alpha being 0.85. These values imply acceptable reliability (Nunnally, 1967). Subsequent factor analysis for all independent variables measured with multiple positions shows that all measures can be formulated into separate factors. The principle components created are then used as aggregate results for subsequent analyzes. To test the discriminatory validity, the Kendall tau-b corrections were set between all independent variables and between the defined components, all values were below 0.50, indicating acceptable discriminatory validity.

Detailed analysis and testing of the hypotheses is presented in the section "Hypotheses and analysis of the results of the sociological survey". There are the main hypotheses and expectations built on the basis of the study and analysis of the available statistics for the region as well as the descriptive analysis of the responses to the questionnaire. The hypotheses were then tested by two quantitative statistical tests - Kendall's correlation and logistic regression to test the hypotheses formulated.

All relevant analysis result tables from SPSS are presented in the annex to this document.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TARGET GROUP

The dynamics in the development of the demographic processes and changes in population structures over recent decades have a major impact on the fundamental systems of society: economic, educational, health and social protection systems.

The current demographic situation in the region is characterized by continued decline and aging of the population and a high level of the overall mortality.

Characteristics of the population in Montana region

As of 31.12.2015, the population of Montana region is 137,188, which represents 1.9% of the country's population, ranking on the 18th place by population. Compared to 2014, the population of Montana decreased by 2162, or by 1.6%. Men are 67,227 (49.0%) and women - 69,961 (51.0%) or for every 1 000 men there are 1041 women.

The aging process of the population continues, which means increasing the relative share of the population aged 65 and over and preserving the share of children up to 15 years at the level of the previous year. The working age population as of 31.12.2015 is 76 702 or 55.9% of the population of Montana, 41 226 men and 35 176 women. The number of working population has declined by 1 451, or by 1.9% in 2015 compared to the previous year.

The reproduction of the working population is characterized by the demographic replacement coefficient, which shows the ratio between the number of people entering the working age (15-19 years) and the number of people in working age (60-64 years). As of 31.12.2015, this ratio is 62. By

comparison, in 2001, 100 people getting out of working age were replaced by 94 young people.

The population decline, measured by the natural growth factor, is minus 13.2 ‰. The natural growth rate in cities is minus 7.3 ‰ and in villages - minus 23.7 ‰, or the decrease in population in the area due to natural growth is mainly due to the negative demographic trends in the villages. Montana region is the penultimate place with the highest negative natural growth. This indicator is higher only in Vidin region - minus 16.7 ‰.

In 2015 all municipalities in the area have a negative natural growth. The least positive coefficient of negative natural growth is the Municipality of Montana - minus 9.2 ‰, and with the largest - the municipalities G. Damyanovo - minus 36.5 ‰ and Chiprovtsi - minus 22.6 ‰.

Significant influence on the number and structure of the population is also the mechanical growth, which for 2015 is also negative - minus 330 people. It is formed as the difference between the number of 3875 people settled in Montana region and the emigrants from the region - 4205 people.

With negative coefficient of mechanical growth are four municipalities in the region - Montana municipality - minus 11.0 ‰, Lom municipality - minus 9.4 ‰, Vulchedrum municipality - minus 5.8 ‰ and Berkovitsa municipality - minus 5.7 ‰. In the remaining municipalities, the mechanical growth is positive.

Characteristics of the population in Zajecar region

According to the latest statistics for the district of Zajecar, the number of inhabitants in it is 111 331, with the municipality of Boljevac being the last per inhabitants in the area - 11 761. For the region, this is a decrease by 1493 compared to 2015. Thus, by number of inhabitants the district of Zaječar ranks 7th in Region South and East Serbia (the region covers a total of 9 districts).

The women (57 778 people) in the area are 2 425 more than the men (55 353 people). But, on the other hand, the death rate is higher for women. In this area as well as in Montana there is an aging of the population, as residents aged between 18 and 84 are 80% of the population and youngsters between 15 and 29 years old are 16 606 or only 14%.

Table 1 Population by age groups and gender, 2014 – 2015

2014 2015 W M W M Children up to 6 years of age (preschool age) 2708 3042 2688 2996 Children aged 7-14 (elementary school) 3576 3904 3518 3865 Population aged 15-18 (secondary school) 2047 2135 1951 2034 Children (0-17 years) 7773 8496 7641 8344 Youth (15-29 years) 8115 8955 7905 8701 Contingent of the working population (15 - 64 35725 36598 34777 35770 years) Total number of inhabitants 58730 56171 57778 55353

Serbia's statistical office maintains information on internal migration in the country. According to the latest data available for 2016, residents of Serbia who have permanently changed their place of residence are mostly women and men aged 25 to 34, followed by those aged 15 to 24. As in both age groups, the number of women is significantly higher than that of men.

For 2016, 2870 people emigrated from Southern and Eastern Serbia, with almost 63% of these emigrants (1814 people) coming from the Zajecar district. The youngsters from this region as well as those from neighboring Sumadija and Western Serbia emigrate mainly to the Belgrade region with positive mechanical growth is also the South Bachka district.

Graph 1 Persons who have changed their place of residence in Serbia in 2016 by age and gender

General characteristics of the target group

The statistics of the two countries show that the young population aged 15-29 will progressively decrease, with the projected reduction of over 23% by 2020. In particular, this will affect age groups 20-24 and 25-29 years.

Over 55% of the young population live in cities. There is a tendency for largest territorial movement in the direction city-city. Significantly smaller and relative share are the migration flows in the direction village-village. The number of people who have moved from the villages in the cities is bigger than in the opposite direction "town - village".

Following the sharp decline in the emigration attitudes in the period 2002- 2006, in recent years there has been a new increase in the desire for emigration among young people, especially in the age of 20-29 years. It is alarming that every 8th young person has specific intentions in the foreseeable future to emigrate. More than a quarter of young people in the country are clearly interested in temporary labor migration abroad. It is positive that the educational structure of the emigration flow is definitely changing - it is dominated by young people with secondary (11.9%) and lower education (10.2%). The people with higher education are increasingly seeing chances and prospects for a good financial situation in the country, and only 7,5% declare willingness to go abroad. The largest share is the one of the young people who work part-time (56.85) or are unemployed (48.1%).

Although there is a growing number of young people in the region who complete secondary education, in most cases young people have no practical and working experience in the postgraduate specialty after completing their education and it is difficult for them to enter the labor market.

It is necessary to make efforts for smooth transition of the young people from the school bench to the labor market by expanding internships and

practices in the real sector. It is also useful for keeping young people in the region to invest in the training and qualification of young employees.

Assessing the possibilities of using state unemployment benefits or working and pay conditions in major cities and European Union countries, young people are demotivated by the proposed wages in the region, or prefer not to work or seek work outside it.

Young people are becoming a potential resource of employment in the gray economy. Insufficient professional skills and practices in a real environment, and the inability of professional choice of the students from the earliest age force some of the school graduates to start the "first possible job", most often in the field of services, trade and service, without any requirements to the working conditions.

For many young people, owning and developing their own private business is a sign of initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. But despite the great desire of young people and the various projects and programs for developing entrepreneurial skills, financing innovation activity, and starting business, there are still few such business ventures.

One age group that is not included in the definition of young people defined in the statistics and support programs is the population aged 29-35. Unfortunately, these are people who in the current educational and work opportunities have not yet been able to develop professionally and are looking for better opportunities. But these people are excluded from most programs and initiatives for education, employment and funding of initial business initiatives. On the other hand, they lack sufficient experience and skills to take advantage of other opportunities for already established professionals or acting firms. These are also people who in most cases have families and additional costs associated with them. These even more difficult conditions further encourage many people between the ages of 29 and 35 to seek employment or even temporary employment in the larger cities and Western European countries.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The presentation of the main economic indicators for the development of the region shows the general picture of the state of the business, the workforce and the investments and creates a vision for the general environment in which the people live and in which they can develop in the area while allowing comparisons with other regions.

Economic development of the Montana region

Montana's economic development is lagging behind. Employment is shrinking in 2015, which leads to a decline in wage income and, respectively, the average earnings in the region. Montana remains the least attractive area for foreign investors, and municipalities in the area are unable to compensate for the lack of private investment with a high absorption of European funds. The low level of taxes and fees and relatively good administrative services fail to compensate for the impact of negative factors such as the poor infrastructure development of the region.

The region is among the worst affected by the demographic crisis in the country. The education system manages to cover a relatively large proportion of those subject to education, but declining ratings of compulsory matrices indicate a decline in quality. The quality of healthcare is close to the average for the country and the environment is in a relatively good condition. Although the crime rate is lower than the country average, the share of crimes detected is gradually decreasing and the judiciary is ineffective. The intensity of cultural activities is much lower than the national average.

Montana region is considerably lagging behind the country's average levels. GDP per capita in 2014 amounts to 6611 BGN, which is more than 40% lower than the country average.

Although there are ten areas in the country where the average annual gross wage of employees under labor and service contracts is lower than the one in Montana (7499 BGN in 2014), according to NSI data the household income is one of the lowest in the country. The main reason for this is the low employment of the population. Although the wages are not among the lowest in the country, they account for only 33% of the households’ income. This share is the lowest in the country and far smaller than the average for the country (56.1%).

Low incomes are also the main cause of significant poverty in the area. The relative share of the poor population compared to the poverty line for the country amounts to 41.6%, with higher values being observed only in Kardjali and Pazardzhik.

Graph 2 GDP per capita (2014)

Graph 3 Average annual income per household (2015)

Graph 4 Relative share of the poor in respect to the poverty line for the country (2013)

Contrary to the general trends for the country, the employment in Montana region has deteriorated sharply in 2015. The employment rate dropped to 53.7%, which is the fourth lowest value after Silistra (49.2%), Vratsa (50.3%) and Targovishte (51.6%), with an average for the country of 62.9%. Unemployment drops from 16.3% in 2014 to 8.2% in 2015, but this is due to a collapse in the economic activity of the population and not to the creation of jobs. In 2015, 58.5% of the population aged 15-64 are economically active at

69.3% for the country. Lower value is reported only in Targovishte region (56.7%).

Prospects for the development of the labor market also do not seem promising against the backdrop of the low share of the population with completed higher education - 17.3%, with a relative share for the country 27.5%.

Graph 5 Average annual employment rate (15-64) (2015)

As early as 2013, Montana became the area with the most unfavorable ratio between the accumulated direct foreign investments (DFI) and the local population. In 2014, is reported an outflow of DFI of nearly 4 million euro, which means that, relative to the population, their value is 247.5 euro / person, which is over 12 times lower than the country average. Montana is also one of the three areas (together with Vidin and Pernik) where the costs of the enterprises for acquiring tangible fixed assets in 2014 amounts to less than 1 000 BGN per capita of the average annual population at an average of 2 786 BGN per person for the country.

Unlike other less developed areas like neighboring Vidin and Lovech municipalities, Montana region fails to surpass the average for the country pace of absorption of European funds. Against these backgrounds, it is not surprising that the only area in which entrepreneurial activity is weaker is the Kardzhali district.

Graph 6 Foreign direct investment in the non-financial sector per capita of the average population (cumulative) (2014)

Economic development of Zajecar region

By level of economic development, the Zajecar region is at one of the last places in the country with low contribution to GDP, low numbers of employees and low wage income. The aging population leads to a large number of unemployed people - over 68,000 people. The active population included in the labor market is only 51 506 people. By age distribution, the largest group of unemployed is those between the ages of 30 and 54 (59%), most of whom are women.

Graph 7 Unemployed by age groups in the total number of unemployed, 2016

Looking at average wage levels for the country as well as for the Belgrade region, we notice that there are significant unfavorable differences between the average levels of the country, those in the developed regions around the capital and smaller areas and municipalities, such as Zajecar District and Boljevac Municipality. The average salary for the country in the first half of 2017 is 67

857 RSD (1 112.86 BGN), for Belgrade region - 84 054 RSD (1 378.50 BGN), for Zajecar district - 53 857 RSD (883.26 BGN), for Municipality of Boljevac - 53860 RSD (883,35 BGN).

Despite the significantly lower wage level in the Zajecar district, it can be said that over the last three years it has managed to maintain a sustainable level that ensures the security of the employed.

Graph 8 Average earnings excluding taxes and contributions

The area is not attractive for foreign investments because of the lack of sufficient workforce and qualified specialists and also because of the unfavorable geographic location which does not allow the location of large production bases due to the poor transport connections, the remoteness of the area from the better developed part of the country (Belgrade) as well as from Western Europe. The low level of taxes and fees and relatively good administrative services fail to compensate for the impact of the negative factors.

Table 2 Realized investments in new assets - facilities and technical structure, 2015 (RSD)

District Total Type of facility Technical structure New Reconstru Mainten Construc Equipment Others facilitie ction, ance of tion Local Import s moderniza existing tion, facilities constructi on and extension Serbia 507111 186306 23868229 8212280 1923544 139180 132354 43221 200 100 5 5 47 541 675 537

Belgra 204267 755399 11119696 1753082 7339785 494268 505359 30907 de 734 42 9 3 5 50 10 119 district Zajecar 239817 962855 928783 506535 966497 696562 661554 73560 district 3

Zajecar 136653 504619 459077 402840 550189 395076 356590 64681 6

Boljeva 333712 137911 176708 19093 105466 58036 165248 4962 c Knyaze 367328 278777 13785 74766 34908 209073 121473 1874 vac Sokoba 330597 41548 279213 9836 275934 34377 18243 2043 nja

Currently there are no statistics on foreign direct investment in the area, but according to the total investments of the companies in fixed assets, facilities, buildings and equipment, it is evident that they are extremely low compared to those in the country - only 0.47% of the total investments in the country. Investments are also significantly lower than those in the leading economic area in the country - the Belgrade district (only 1.17% of the investments in this district).

Most of these investments are in the manufacturing sector followed by the mining industry and the lowest are in the field of tourism services and in particular in accommodation and catering.

Table 3 Distribution of investments by business areas

Business area Zajecar Zajecar Boljevac Knyazevac Sokobanja district Agriculture, 222158 86503 - 135655 - forestry and fishing Mining industry 365106 170753 920 - 193433

Manufacturing 751833 315034 260007 176792 -

Supply of 293188 293188 - - - electricity and heat, gas and air conditioning Water supply; 11727 2979 891 6255 1602 Sewerage, waste management and recovery activities Construction 194714 194004 - 710 -

Wholesale and 50755 39628 24 11103 - retail; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

Business area Zajecar Zajecar Boljevac Knyazevac Sokobanja district Transport and - - - - - storage Places for 2536 1558 - 978 - accommodation and catering

STATE AND REGIONAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

Care for young people is the most important national cause in order to ensure the European development of a country.

Creating favorable conditions for school and university education, informal learning, professional, social and personal realization of young people, their participation in social and economic life, their inclusion in local, regional and national management, as well as return in the country of the students from abroad will contribute to the improvement of the demographic situation and is a significant factor not only for overcoming the crisis but also for improving the quality of life as well as for achieving the goals of the European Union.

In an open and frank dialogue with young people, the state should take care of the development of competent and enterprising young people and guide them towards an active public life.

State and regional policies and strategies Bulgaria

National Youth Strategy 2012 – 2020

For the defined period 2012-2020, the country has set the following strategic objectives to stimulate the inclusion of different sectors relevant to young people's development and to ensure the sustainable European development of young people in Bulgaria:

• Promoting the economic activity and career development of young people • Improving the access to information and quality services • Promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people • Preventing social exclusion of young people with fewer opportunities • Development of youth volunteering • Raising civic activity

• Development of young people in small settlements and rural areas • Development of intercultural and international dialogue • Raising the role of young people in crime prevention

Regional Development Strategy for Montana region 2014 - 2020

The region notes a long-standing trend of lagging socio-economic development. As a result of delays in the economic development, the qualification and educational characteristics of the human resources and its "leakage" is a major problem in the region that further blocks its development. In this aspect, the following strategic objectives are set in order to improve the overall economic and demographic situation of the region:

• Strategic objective 1: Improve the competitiveness of the regional economy and increase economic activity. • Strategic objective 2: Maintaining and improving the quality of human capital through social development with priorities: - Improving the conditions for a better use of the labor potential - Improving access to education and the education infrastructure. Development of all levels of the education system - Improving access to quality health services and health care facilities - Improving the conditions for offering quality social services - Improving the quality and access to cultural and sports infrastructure - Support measures for social inclusion and prevention of risks for social exclusion • Strategic objective 3: Improving territorial sustainability and connectivity.

Municipal Development Plan of Montana Municipality 2014- 2020

The Municipal Development Plan as a strategic document links the comparative advantages and potential for local development with a clearly defined vision, objectives and priorities for achieving strategic goals related in general to the pursuit of a higher living standard for the people in the municipality and sustainable development.

The overall goal for development in the 2014-2020 period is to: Convert Montana municipality into a progressive, desirable and inclusive place for life, professional realization, entrepreneurship and recreation. In view of the set general objective, the Municipal Development Plan of Montana municipality for the period 2014-2020 sets the following strategic objectives:

• Stimulating the local economy and highlighting competitive local potential; • Preservation and improvement of human capital through social development • Balanced and sustainable development of the territory and the settlements.

Municipal Development Plan of Chiprovtsi Municipality 2014- 2020

The Municipal Development Plan of Chiprovtsi Municipality for the period 2014-2020 defines the general framework and the municipal development guidelines (in the medium term), which correspond to the goals and priorities of the higher levels and determining the achievement of sustainability in the development of the municipal territorial and social community. The strategic objectives set for the defined period are the following:

• Developing a competitive economy • Protection of the environment and infrastructure provision of the municipality • Social development • Increasing the territorial cooperation and improving the administrative capacity

State and regional policies and strategies Serbia

National Youth Strategy 2015 – 2025

The Republic of Serbia recognizes young people and their special and important role in society. Young people are the present and the future of society, resource, innovation and the driving force behind the development of the society.

That is why continuous and systematic investment in the development of young people and the establishment of partnerships between young people and the state is necessary in order to increase their active participation in society, to promote social integration and to ensure the inclusion of young people in the development of the youth policy.

The strategic goals set out in this document include:

• Better employment of young women and men • Improving the quality and opportunities for acquiring skills and development of competences and innovation in young people • Improving the active participation of young women and men in society • Improving the health and well-being of young women and men • Improving the conditions for developing a safety culture for young people • Improving the support for the social inclusion of young people from the categories at risk of social exclusion • Improved mobility, scope of international youth cooperation and support for young migrants

• Improved youth information system and youth knowledge • Improving the use and participation of young people in the creation of cultural content

Regional Development Strategy of Timok Region for the period 2011 - 2018

The Regional Development Strategy of Timok region seeks to fill existing gaps between national and municipal levels of development planning. The local level in Serbia (given the size of the territory under management and the volume of available resources) is often unable to carry out development activities that would lead to significant change. The Timok region is characterized by such opportunities and problems that cannot be partially addressed at the municipal level. In its strategic objectives for development, the region also places emphasis on business and human capital development:

• To improve labor demand and employment in the Timok region • Increasing the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in the Timok region by improving the environment for entrepreneurship support in the Timok region.

Strategy for Sustainable Development of Boljevac Municipality

In its development strategy, the Municipality of Boljevac reflects the goals at national and regional level, setting its own goals and priorities related to the development of the economy, infrastructure, human resources development, social activity and others. Young people are targeted by the following priorities:

• Small and medium-sized enterprise development model • Creating better conditions for sports and recreation • Implementing models for using new technologies

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The ability to receive adequate education which meets both the interests of young people and the needs of companies in the region helps young people to choose their professional path and not to leave the area at the stage of choosing education. Unfortunately, there are no existing universities in the region, which is a prerequisite for young people wishing to receive higher education to go to larger cities or to other countries. On the other hand, young people have a wide choice of vocational high schools that direct them to a particular craft. Various funds and programs also help develop the professional qualifications of the young population and offer significant job search support.

Educational opportunities in Montana region

Object of a targeted state and municipal policy is to create conditions and opportunities for the development of the educational system, providing different types and degrees of education of the population. Among other organizational and methodological conditions for the implementation of this policy, an important role is given to the educational infrastructure. The latter includes subjects of pre-school education, general and profiled and vocational education - kindergartens and different types of schools.

In the education system of the Montana region, principal place occupy the general education schools, supplemented by the specialized (language, natural- mathematical, etc.) schools. General education is experiencing the same problems posed by demographic crisis development - a declining number of people aged 7 to 14 and 15 to 18 years of age. Vocational schools keep their number - 12 vocational high schools. The vocational schools are found in 9 municipalities, with the largest number being in the towns of Montana and Lom.

Regarding the requirement to provide conditions for realization of the legal requirement for compulsory primary education, in Montana region opportunities have been created for ensuring access to school for students from settlements where there are no functioning schools. In all municipalities through

school buses and other transport means, students from villages without schools are riding to the nearest schools. Such schools, where pupils from other villages are trained, have the status of "center". Of such status are 6 schools in Montana municipality, 3 schools in Lom municipality, 2 schools in Vulchedrum and Medkovets municipalities.

In order to improve the quality of the learning process in the general education schools (where pupils from villages with non-functioning schools are trained) an organization is created for introducing a whole-day regime of the learning process. For this purpose, groups for day-to-day organization of the learning process are formed for students from grades I to VIII. In addition to regular classes, self-training, time for sports and recreation, activities by interest, etc. are also included. In Montana, this organization can be implemented in 21 general education schools. In this way, these schools will be established as important units of the school network in the area.

In order to improve career guidance in school education to achieve consistency between national and European policies in the field of lifelong guidance, with the support of the Regional Inspectorate of Education – Montana, is implemented project “Center for Career Guidance”. The essence of the project is entirely informative, which will be carried out by a planned network of such centers. They have the task of informing about:

• Profiles of education, professions and specialties in secondary and higher schools and universities; • Provide informative and advisory work with students on the choice of education and careers; • Establish the link between schools and the labor market (one of the outstanding problems of vocational education) and others.

Through various funds and programs funded by the European Union, the organization of numerous trainings and initiatives to stimulate the population to

improve their qualifications and to find a job is stimulated. Such programs and projects are:

• Project “Improving the employability of unemployed persons through increased professional and key competencies” - Improving the employability of unemployed persons from disadvantaged groups on the labor market by implementing a set of measures: information, counseling, motivation training, trainings to acquire knowledge and skills in different professions / specialties, key competencies and social skills. Improving the quality of training by enhancing the methodical competence of adult educators and mentors. • Project "Chance for success" - Enhancing the competitiveness of the labor market of unemployed persons from the target groups through qualitative and adequate training meeting the requirements of the employers and providing subsidized employment in accordance with the acquired qualification. • Project "New horizons" - Creating sustainable employment for people from the most vulnerable groups on the labor market and raising the professional skills and key competences and skills of 1 890 unemployed persons as demanded by the labor market and key competencies required by the employers. • Project "Qualitative workforce - stable labor market" - Improving employability, adaptability of the workforce, creating new employment opportunities and social inclusion in line with labor market needs.

Educational opportunities in Zajecar district

One of the main reasons for the current situation in the field is not only the unfavorable economic trend but also the inadequate formal education (not only modern innovative approaches to educational processes but also regional school specialization are lacking) as well as inefficient allocation of resources available in the field.

The statistics available show a very low level of graduates with a master's and a university degree - only 11%. Those with secondary education predominate - 41%.

Graph 9 Educational degree of population aged 15 and over

Graph 10 Students who have completed secondary education, 2015

The primary schools in the district enable young people to complete basic or vocational education in certain technological areas. The majority of young people prefer technical vocational education, probably due to the possibility of finding employment in industrial and manufacturing companies in the district and in the larger cities. The only educational institution that offers higher education opportunities is the Faculty of Management of Belgrade University, Meghedrad, in the Zajecar district. Due to the lack of a university, the number of young people with tertiary education is extremely low, as most of them go outside the district to study at university, and then they find a better professional career in the cities or countries where they have graduated.

The bigger schools in the district are located in the municipality of Zajecar. There are 11 primary schools, some of which are specialized in language learning, and there is also a music school.

Secondary education is provided by 5 high schools with diverse orientation - language high school, technical high school, medical high school and economic high school.

In the other smaller municipalities, there are between 2 and 3 primary schools or high schools offering training in different technical and professional fields such as economics, forestry and woodworking, machine building and metalworking and others.

To stimulate and assist students to stay in school and improve their educational success, most municipalities and schools offer scholarships different in scope and purpose.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

One of the main factors that would keep and even return some of the young people who have left the region is the opportunity to find an attractive and interesting job, offering good conditions and salaries as well as opportunities for professional development. The job opportunities are provided both by the investments made and the operating companies, as well as by targeted funds, which stimulate the creation of jobs and the investment in the personnel.

Job Opportunities in Montana region

Montana region is characterized by low economic and investment activity and lack of active investor interest. The crisis and the recession have further aggravated the entrepreneurial activity in the region as well as in the country. The level of entrepreneurship in the region (30 companies per 1000 persons) is significantly lower than the national average (51).

Predominates the share and number of micro-companies, with an increase in their number with 517. All other categories of companies decrease in number. This is an unfavorable trend as micro-companies do not bring technological progress, innovation and competitiveness, and make less contribution to increasing the employment.

The main economic spheres in which the local population can find employment are agriculture, vehicle production, food production, computer and communication technology, electronics and optical products, as well as in the services sector.

Among the larger employers in the field can be mentioned the following companies:

• „Kalia“ OOD – a canning factory that produces fruit and vegetable cans.

• „Mig – Atas International“ OOD - producing bread and bakery products. The enterprise has implemented a project under Operational Program "Development of Human Resources" to improve the qualifications of its employees. • ЕТ „Chushkarcheto“ production of Chiprovtsi carpets • „Monbat” AD - Leading enterprise in the city of Montana, a leading company in the manufacture of accumulators and starter batteries; • „ Berg Montana Fittings” AD - Private company with foreign participation (Spain). Fittings, malleable cast iron, alloy cast iron parts and steel. Certificate ISO 9001. The company manufactures galvanized and cast-iron pipe fittings for export to the countries of the European Union. One of the leading employers in Montana. • “Cross“ – specialized in the production of bicycles, which are mainly exported to the European market, including Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, Finland, Greece, Serbia and Macedonia; • „Mir” AD - specialized in the production of: belt conveyor belts, metal structures and platforms, roller and roller roads, machines yards and construction hoists, filters complying with the requirements for environmental protection. • “Metcar” AD, - manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene packages. Production of beer and oil bottles. • „BKK 95”OOD - the company produces metal products and furniture parts. "BKK 95" OOD is a supplier of the IKEA furniture company. • “Mont Pigment” EOOD - Production of building materials, elements, constructions, production of faience and ceramic materials and construction products. • „RUA – metal factory” OOD - The factory produces cast milling balls used for grinding of ore, cement and others. • „Lomsko pivo” AD – Brewery with an assortment of 11 products under the brands Almus, Moesia, Danube, Gredberg, Robeer and Shopsko pivo.

There are also various active programs funded by the European Union and the state budget to stimulate the recruitment of employees from certain age groups, long-term unemployed, people without qualifications or others. In addition, there are also funds for vocational training, retraining and further qualification and development of the employees of the companies. Such programs are:

• Scheme “Youth Employment” - mainly aimed at helping companies to open new jobs for young people • National program "Activation of inactive persons" - Activation and inclusion of the inactive in the labor market, incl. discouraged and unemployed by individual and group application of tools and services to attract and motivate them to register with the Labor Bureaux Directorates and encourage their inclusion in training and / or employment. • National Program "Melpomena" - Increasing employment by opening jobs to support the theater in Bulgaria. • Programme “Career Start” - The main objective of the programme is to provide opportunities for employment for unemployed young people who have completed secondary or tertiary education in order to facilitate the transition between education and employment.

Job Opportunities in Zajecar district

The job opportunities for young people in the district are significantly limited by the established economic structure of the existing companies in the region. The largest employers are mining and manufacturing companies and more specifically:

• Capital-intensive primary industrial companies: copper ore production and processing, non-metal production, electricity, coal and building materials and • Secondary industrial processing sectors: food processing, machine- building, metalworking, plastic products, chemical industry, abrasives, textile, leather processing, woodworking.

This overwhelming industrial nature of the area besides its own deficiencies (such as technological obsolescence of infrastructure or inefficiency in the use of material resources) also slows the development of the tertiary service sector (e.g. trade, transport, tourism, food industry, etc.) as well as the knowledge and innovation sector. These facts are demonstrated by the lack of innovative elements used by current entrepreneurs, which is a factor in the loss of interest in seeking employment in the field by more advanced and ambitious young people.

The amount of R & D investment per inhabitant is only 28% of the national average. Also, support programs and tools for entrepreneurs need to be tailored to their current needs, focusing on women and young entrepreneurs. Co- operation among entrepreneurs in the region is insignificant and exists mainly in a declarative form. Regional industrial clusters are underdeveloped, so cooperation between large firms and SMEs is limited. Long-term planning almost

does not exist in the SME sector. There is disharmony in the content of curricula and profiles of school graduates with the requirements of the labor market.

Among the larger local companies are:

• Explosives Rudex D.O.O, Belgrade, manufacture of explosives • „East Point“ - factory for production of pellets for heating, specially pressed briquettes. The largest exporter, the whole production of beech pellets is exported to Italy, and exports are also planned for Germany. € 8 million invested. • „Agromehanika“, a factory for machinery and agricultural machinery, after the privatization exported hay and silage, as well as machines for soil treatment and snow cleaning. Countries to which the company exports: Italy, Germany, France, Slovenia,it is planning to start exporting to the African market (mainly for Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia), but also for Russia. About 250 metalworkers are currently working in it. • „ Euroakva “ D.O.O is a drinking water production plant and part of the “Aqua” system. • D.O.O. „Unimer“ Krusevac, Branch - Unimmer Nemetali Boljevac, factory for decorative stone, dolomite and the like.

LIVING CONDITIONS

The attitudes of young people to live in a particular country or city are determined not only by the opportunities for education or finding a job. Many young people choose to study in another city or country, but then seek work in a different place, including the cases of young people who return to their country and home town. The possibilities of Internet and remote workplace also do not restrict the young people to live in a place simply because they can find work there. It is for this reason that, apart from the above-mentioned conditions of education and employment, it is necessary to take into account other factors such as opportunities for entertainment, cultural life, environment security, infrastructure, environmental conditions and other.

Living conditions in Montana region

Theatrical and specialized library activities are represented by sites that are of regional importance. Such are Dragomir Asenov Drama Theater and Patilan Municipal Puppet Theater in Montana. The two theaters have a total of 3 theatrical scenes and salons with a total capacity of 734 seats. They are the only theater cultural institutions in the area. Specialized library activity is presented by the Geo Milev Regional Library.

Museum activities are represented by 7 museums and museum collections with 126 000 exhibits. The Regional History Museum in Montana has regional functions. Museums with a different profile can be found in the town of Berkovitsa, Georgi Damianovo, Lom and others.

The Complex Cultural center activity has the most developed network of centers. In most of the municipalities the Cultural center is the only cultural object. The total number of registered Cultural centers in the area is 100.

On the territory of Montana region there are over 600 declared cultural monuments of national and local importance, mainly of local importance.

For the city of Montana, the predominant type of monuments are: residential and public buildings; archaeological monuments; cult buildings; historical and park art. Regardless of the number, the archaeological heritage of the municipality of Montana has a great cultural and historical potential.

The remaining municipalities in the area are characterized by uneven saturation of cultural monuments, both in number and characteristic. In some of the villages the churches are also monuments of culture. In contrast to the city, here are the predominant buildings-monuments from the Renaissance, and the archaeological - tombstones and village mounds, ancient and medieval settlements.

The museums preserve the cultural and historical heritage in the region, presented by: The Historical Museum in the city of Montana, which has a considerable amount of scientific and research activity and has conducted regular archaeological excavations in the region over the years. The historical museum in the town of Lom was founded in 1925. The museum building was declared a cultural monument in 1973. The historical museum in the town of Chiprovtsi was founded in 1988 on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Chiprovtsi Uprising, but the beginning of the museum collection is since the 1960s. The Ethnographic Museum in Berkovitsa is an architectural and cultural monument of culture. There is also a municipal museum collection in Varshets, founded in 1999, which is housed in a building built in the 30s of the last century

The area has a good recreational potential: Montana with regulated zones and monuments of cultural and historical heritage; the monastery complexes (Klisurski, Chiprovski, Lopushanski, Dobridolski) and the church temples; the beautiful coastline and islands of the Danube; mountainous areas to the west and south (Chiprovtsi, Georgi Damyanovo, Berkovitsa, Varshets); part of the Vratsa Balkan Nature Park - Varshets; reserves and maintained reserves - "Upper Coria" - Berkovitsa and others.

In addition, for the enrichment and diversification of the cultural and entertainment life in the area, the municipalities organize numerous festivals, concerts, fairs, events and sports competitions with national and international participation. But the places for entertaining young people, cinemas and other more modern entertainment are extremely limited and of insufficient quality.

Montana is one of the areas in which Internet penetration is at its slowest pace. Only 36.4% of the households in the area have access to Internet, the average for the country is 53.7%. In the same year, less than half of the 15 to 74-year olds used the Internet.

With regard to the infrastructure and connectivity of the area with other larger cities and countries, Montana region is well placed in terms of the spatial organization of the national transport system - its territory is served by two Trans-European Transport Corridors (TETC) - No 4 and No 7. Despite the good location of the area with regard to the trans-European transport routes, the construction of the road network is insufficient - there are no built highways and high-speed roads. The area is served by a first-class road I-1 "border with Romania-Ferry Vidin-Dimovo-Montana-Vratsa-Mezdra-Sofia-Blagoevgrad- Simitli-Kulata-border with Greece.

The remote location of the large industrial plants and the favorable natural resources of the region contribute to its good environmental performance and the lack of significant pollution. There are no exceedances of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. All other controlled atmospheric pollutants - nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - are significantly below the relevant limit values and no sustained tendencies to increase their atmospheric air content.

Significant efforts are directed towards the construction of the water supply and sewerage network, which is a prerequisite for improving the quality of natural waters. There is a tendency for discontinuation of surface water degradation, stabilization of the state and poor improvement in individual river

sections. However, the area is lagging considerably in the construction of the sewerage network and the necessary treatment plants.

There is no established soil contamination in Montana region with plant protection products. Soil contamination with persistent organic pollutants, incl. petroleum products is very limited. Soil samples taken to determine soil contamination with heavy metals and metalloids do not show such.

In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to reduce land and soil pollution. The limited use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, organic farming and livestock programs lead to a reduction in the degradation of land and soils.

On the territory of Montana region, 100% of the population is covered by a system for organized waste collection and disposal. The waste problem is not fully resolved, with no separate collection of waste. All 11 municipalities in the territory controlled by Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water- Montana have municipal waste management programs.

There are no agglomerations, major airports, railways and roads defined as such in the Environmental Protection Act in Montana region. Existing road and rail arteries cannot be classified as heavily loaded and do not pose a serious problem with regard to environmental noise. The main industrial sources of noise are located in industrial districts remote from the residential areas, and measures are taken to silence the production and facilities. Undertakings covered by the complex authorization regime as well as located near residential areas perform their own periodic monitoring of the noise emitted into the environment.

Living conditions in Zajecar District

The area where the Zajecar district is located is part of the Central and Eastern Tourist Zone (according to the Territorial Plan of the Republic of Serbia). The regions of Zajecar and Bor have good natural potential, e.g. Stara Planina mountain, Kuchai Mountains, Zlata Gorge and Caves, Lazarus River Canyon, Lake Bor, Crni Vr. Another positive factor for spending leisure time is the convenient location between Romania in the northeast and Bulgaria in the east with strong gravitational centers (Belgrade, Nis, Sofia, Vidin) in the vicinity. There is also a favorable connection with Corridor VII (Danube) and relatively accessible access to Corridors X (Salzburg - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade - Nis - Skopje - Veles - Thessaloniki) and IV (Dresden / Nuremberg - Prague - Vienna - - Arad - Bourgas - Constanta / Kraiova - Sofia - Salsaniki / Plovdiv - Istanbul).

The possibilities of the district for entertainment for young people and the provision of a diverse, healthy and environmentally friendly way of life are unevenly developed. From the relatively developed ones - Sokobanja, the archaeological sites "Felix Romuliana" and "Lepensky Vir", Stara Planina Nature Park (Babin Zub), Derpad National Park, Gamsigardska Banya, Brestovacka Banya. The municipalities of Zajecar, Bor and other municipalities offer over 50 cultural, artistic and sporting events, natural and cultural-historical landmarks, hunting farms, tourist spots and other.

The number of cultural and historical sites is also limited, predominate the monasteries, the churches such as the Lapushna Monastery, the Church of the Lion, the Church of Sts. Илије and others.

The existing tourist and entertainment offer for the whole district is not well known and developed. The organization and the interconnection between

the municipalities in the region as well as with neighboring municipalities in Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania are insufficient.

There are a limited number of museums, theaters, libraries, cinemas and other places to develop cultural life and offer leisure for the young. There are no other modern entertainment options, although many municipalities invest in organizing various concerts, festivals, competitions and other events with national and international participation.

Table 4 Cinemas, theaters and museums in the Zajecar district, 2015

Number of cinemas 3 Number of visits to cinemas 5115 Number of museums 2 Number of visits to museums 48053 Number of theaters 1 Number of theatrical performances 78 Number of theater visits 5670

Cultural and educational centers have been set up to organize cultural and arts programs, promote and develop cultural and aesthetic values, education, intercultural dialogue through the stimulation of creativity and the harmonious development of cultural activities, the discovery, production, exploration, preservation and promotion of national culture and culture of national minorities, protection and accessibility of cultural values of national and global importance.

Like Montana region, young people have the opportunity to live in a cleaner environment and more peaceful living conditions without additional light and noise pollution. There are also great natural parks, mountains and forests.

There are several factors that affect the state of the environment. One of them is waste management. The lack of a complex regional waste management system is one of the main challenges for the area. At present, different types of waste (solid municipal waste, industrial, hazardous, etc.) are located on unprotected illegal landfills that do not meet basic safety requirements. Organized waste collection is in the preparatory phase. Other procedures, such as prevention, re-use, separation, recycling, etc., are yet to be planned and implemented.

Based on the state of the air, the territory of the district can be divided into two parts. Less polluted territory includes the municipalities of Boljevac, Sokobanja and Knjazevac, where air pollution is due to the increased traffic intensity and the already mentioned landfills. During the winter period, a higher concentration of sulfur dioxide and soot is also reported as a result of the heating and operation of industrial plants. Air pollution in the municipality of Zajecar is higher as a result of several industrial activities. The concentration of most metals in the retaining powder is within the range of ELV (emission limit values).

Unfortunately, water quality is not at a good enough level. The main reason for this is the lack of wastewater treatment, so that industrial, household waste, landfill, illegal landfill and others are discharged directly into the rivers, and the negative effects of waste water are also reflected in the adverse groundwater status.

In the Zajecar and Knyazevac districts, the uncontrolled use of fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals causes the reduction of arable land fertility and soil contamination and, as a side effect, the pollution of surface and groundwater.

Although all of the above environmental problems and challenges can be labeled as local (in terms of their origin), their consequences are regional in nature, justifying the need for management of these environmental problems at the regional level.

A healthy environment is a crucial precondition for any human activity. This affects people's decision to live and work in a particular area. At the same time, this factor has a strong impact on the attractiveness of the region for new investors and tourists. In this regard, to retain young people in the district, should be taken measures to minimize the negative impact of the existing environmental burdens and prevention before the creation of new ones.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION AND CONDITIONS

Analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Strengths Weaknesses • Realized projects to improve the • Lack of economic development physical qualities of educational • Demographic aging process, infrastructure, cultural sites, higher among the rural etc. with a European financial population resource that creates the • Most industrial activities are conditions for business closed in smaller municipalities development and smaller settlements • Presence of cultural heritage • High level of unemployment • Clean environment • High relative share of population • Developed industry living in poverty • Multiple programs and projects • The transport service is for professional qualification and predominantly based on second- job creation class and third-class roads with • Accepted national, regional and poor operating status local policies and plans to • Untapped tourism potential support young people and their • Lack of higher education active inclusion in the economic institutions life • Technological backwardness • Possibilities for specialized and low competitiveness of the professional development economic sectors • Low quality of the living environment - under-developed public utilities and communal systems in the settlements

• Unfavorable territorial structure of the economy. Lack of prominent growth poles • Lack of modern and innovative companies • Lack of good opportunities and incentives for developing own business Opportunities Threats • Possibility of absorption of • Negative natural reproduction, European funds to improve the migrations quality of public services; • Poor participation in projects in human resources, the operational programs infrastructure, tourism and • Continued economic stagnation agriculture, development, with an adverse impact on the entrepreneurship and economic activity of the innovation population • Development of human • Limited employment resources through qualification opportunities. Increase in and re-qualification unemployment • Attracting investment in • Limited opportunities for the agriculture, industry and state and municipalities to tourism finance public projects and to • Development and co-finance projects under the implementation of Integrated Operational Programs Urban Recovery Plans • Deterioration of the • Development of the labor environment due to the absence market through active policies of sewerage in the villages • Implementation of • Insufficient quality of the infrastructure projects Internet services

• Development of cross-border • Underdeveloped cultural life and and transnational cooperation opportunities for leisure for the young people

Summary

The young population between the ages of 15 and 29 will progressively decrease, with a projected reduction of over 23% by 2020. In particular, this will affect age groups 20-24 and 25-29 years.

Over 55% of the young population live in cities. There is a tendency for the large territorial movement in the city-city direction. In recent years there has been a new rise in the desire for emigration among young people, especially in the age of 20-29 years. It is positive that the educational structure of the emigration flow is definitely changing - it is dominated by young people with secondary (11.9%) and primary education (10.2%). Young people with higher education are increasingly seeing chances and prospects for a good material situation in their country.

Although there is a growing number of young people in the region who complete secondary education, in most cases young people do not have practical and working experience in the postgraduate specialty after completing their education and it is difficult for them to enter the labor market.

It is necessary to make efforts for the smooth transition of young people from the school bench in the labor market by expanding internships and practices in the real sector. It is also useful for keeping the young people in the region to invest in the training and qualification of young employees.

Assessing the possibilities of using state unemployment benefits or working and wage conditions in major cities and European Union countries, young people are disillusioned with the region's pay and prefer either not to work or to seek work outside of the region. And although for many young people the development of their own business is an attractive and prestigious opportunity, very few of them manage to realize their personal business plans.

The population aged between 29 and 35 is excluded from most programs and initiatives for education, employment and funding of initial business initiatives. And, on the other hand, these people do not have enough experience and skills to take advantage of other opportunities for already established professionals or acting firms. These even more difficult conditions further encourage many people between the ages of 29 and 35 to seek employment or even temporary employment in the larger cities and Western European countries.

The region is characterized by economic backwardness. The local labor market remains in a crisis that slows down the income growth and the improvement the living conditions of citizens. Infrastructure is in poor condition and access to Internet is very limited. Although the local administration receives predominantly positive assessments of its work by both citizens and businesses, and the tax environment is favorable, these factors are not sufficient to increase the investment activity of enterprises and attract foreign capital. The age structure of the local population continues to deteriorate and urbanization is relatively low.

State, regional and local authorities are aware of the shortcomings of the region and the need to implement policies, programs and initiatives to improve the economic situation of the region, attract investment and support to local businesses, and improve living conditions and encourage young people to remain and develop in the region.

Education is considered unsatisfactory due to the low success rate of local students and the limited choice of high schools, vocational colleges and the lack of a university in the region. This disadvantage is offset by the existence of a variety of EU-funded programs and projects aimed at developing vocational skills, retraining, training of the disadvantaged population and others.

Regarding job opportunities in the region, the main economic spheres in which the local population can find employment are agriculture, vehicle

manufacturing, food production, computer and communication equipment, electronics and optical products, as well as in the service sector. These conditions determine the need for the professionals to be from precisely defined production areas, the requirements of which most young people do not meet and to which they are not so interested. There are no modern international companies working in the field of IT technology, innovation communications and other more interactive areas that are currently more popular among young people and allow them not only to better develop their potential and to develop in their careers, but also to have a higher standard of living due to the higher average wages in these sectors.

The quality of the social environment and the environment in the area is positively assessed. However, there are no varied and modern conditions for spending leisure time and entertainment for young people, as well as for the development of their cultural life. Thus, besides attractive career opportunities for young people in the region, there are also no attractive opportunities for social life and entertainment.

Overall, long-term investments and initiatives by countries and businesses in developing market competitiveness, attracting foreign firms and offering more attractive working conditions have succeeded in attracting a significant proportion of young people who have gone to study or work abroad. For the time being, this effect is felt most strongly in the capitals and some of the larger cities of the two countries. It is expected that by further stimulating the economies of the different regions in Bulgaria and Serbia, such an effect will also be achieved in them, at least in terms of the fact that the young people living in them will prefer to stay and develop in them in the future.

The presented and analyzed above statistical data, policies and other conditions to young people in the region serve to analyze the potential of the cross-border region to reduce youth immigration. Generally, from the presented information, it can be concluded that the main potential for attracting young

people is expressed in the possibilities for vocational training and development in highly specialized industrial sectors, the existence of a peaceful environment for living and clean nature, the existence of numerous policies and programs to young people and their sustainable inclusion in the economic life. However, the region has problems in attracting foreign investments and modern companies to compete with the working conditions and career opportunities of companies in major cities. The follow-up of the planned municipal plans and regional development strategies should attract such investments, but to this end also the active involvement of young people, representing a competent and desirable workforce, is necessary.

In order to take full account of the potential of the cross-border region to reduce youth immigration, it is necessary, in addition to presenting and analyzing diverse statistics for the region, to seek the personal opinion of young people from the region, to identify their wishes, which make them choose to live elsewhere or stay in the region.

The following part of the document presents and analyzes the results of the conducted sociological survey among the defined target group through answers of specially developed questionnaires and personal interviews.

HYPOTHESIS AND ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS FROM THE SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY

Presentation and analysis of the main survey results

Through the conducted sociological survey, answers from 2078 young people from the Montana and Zajecar regions were gathered. Of these, 882 are men and 1196 women.

In order to include also the younger group of young people, the group of young people aged 15 to 18 years has also been added to the originally defined three age groups. The resulting number of responses from each age group is presented in the following graph.

Graph 11 Distribution of respondents by age

The distribution of respondents by education is also consistent with the available statistics on population education in the region. Mostly young people with secondary or secondary vocational education predominate.

Graph 12 Distribution of respondents by education

Only 37% of young people who responded to the survey have the opportunity to live independently, thanks to the income they have from their work in the region. This low rate is explained by both the low wage income of the population in the region and the need for more investment to find own home in combination with the small investment in new residential buildings in the area. In this way, most young people who want to be totally self-sufficient should invest in buying land and building a house that requires extremely high investment.

Confirmation of these answers is also the answer to the next question, by which the youngsters should rank themselves according to the levels of society corresponding to the level of wealth. A total of 89% of young people consider themselves to have material worries, to be not wealthy or relatively wealthy. A more accurate distribution of responses is presented in the following graph.

Graph 13 Classification by levels of society corresponding to the level of wealth

Although a small number of respondents declare that they can live alone with the income they receive, most of them are positive that they could find a job from which they would get enough income, but that would be very difficult (58%). Only 11% are absolutely positive that they can find such a job in the region. Negative answers were given by 31% of the youngsters who participated in the survey.

Regarding expectations for good income abroad, young people in the region do not show any advantage of positive or negative attitudes. 52% believe that with the education they have, they can find work abroad to provide them with a satisfactory level of income. A key point in the condition of this question is education. Considering that most of the respondents have a secondary education, many of them would not expect to be competitive enough on foreign

markets to find a job that would enable them to live with the same standard of living. The cost of living in most European countries is significantly higher than in Bulgaria and Serbia, and especially in the cross-border region under consideration. However, from the answers of the young people to another question - Do you think people with your education abroad live better than you?, 73% answered yes, which means that for young people not exactly the level of education is the main barrier, but rather the adequacy and applicability of this education as well as the possibility of free communication at a professional level in a foreign language.

They do not have a very clear vision of their future development even if they stay in their country. 49% of young people do not think they will be poor or rich if they stay in their country. This uncertainty is dictated by many factors such as uncertain economic environment, lack of clear wishes and professional development directions, reliance on state support, and others. The detailed breakdown of responses by percentage is shown in the following graph.

Graph 14 Estimation of the prospects in financial terms, if young people stay in their country

A total of 64% of young people think they are not getting decent remuneration for their work. It is mainly due to the comparisons they make with wage levels in larger cities without taking into account the complexity and the workload and the skills required to implement it. This is also confirmed by the answer to the next question on the opinion of young people if they deserve higher pay for the work they have. 62% of them think they need to get a higher salary as the explanation for this answer is identical to the above.

As expected by all attitudes and statistics currently, 70% of young people would emigrate abroad over the next 3 years. The main reason for this is the low and unsatisfactory wage income - 49% of the respondents; and the lack of opportunities for realization - 42%. Low is the percentage of those who want to go abroad to complete their education - 5%. 67% of them would advise their children to go abroad.

Graph 15 Main reasons for considering emigration abroad

After presenting and analyzing the living conditions, we can conclude that in the region young people live in a more relaxed environment, with better natural and environmental conditions, but with fewer opportunities for entertainment. Answers to the question whether young people think that people live better in larger cities show that, in fact, most of them prefer the living conditions in smaller towns (59%). Which shows that thanks to the development of the environment and the investments in the improvement of the municipalities in the region the young people like the living conditions in them and this can be considered as one of the region's potential to keep the youth.

Most of the youngsters would emigrate to another city in their country (58%), basically indicating the capital or larger administrative centers. Yet this percentage is not particularly high due to the uncertainty that young people experience, their belief that living conditions in larger cities are not better, the lack of funds to support themselves there in the beginning, and the uncertainty in their competitiveness on the labor market.

Correlation analysis of the survey results

As summarized in the methodology for conducting the sociological survey and questionnaire, the verification of the statistical correlation of some of the responses to question topics related to a particular subject has been performed before the hypothesis was formed and a correlation analysis has been performed. By performing a factor analysis between different independent variables, they are grouped into thematic groups in order to increase the statistical significance of subsequent correlation analyzes between the dependent variables and the independent variables.

Responses to employment-related questions and opportunities within the region were analyzed by factor analysis to differentiate them into an independent variable. These are the following questions from the questionnaire:

• 4. Given the income you have, can you live independently - without deprivation, but without excessive spending? • 5. Do you think that a person with your education can find a job in your city / village that will provide him/her with income to live well? • 7. Do you get a good, decent wage for the work you do? • 8. Do you think you deserve to get more money for the job you are working on? (for those who answered "yes" and "no" to the previous question) • 13. If the society is divided into 7 degrees. The 7th is the richest and the 1st the poorest. What level would you put yourself in? • 14. How do you assess your personal prospects in financial terms if you stay in your country?

There is a strong statistical dependence between the responses, and one general variable can be identified that explains over 64% of variance.

Table 5 Factor analysis of questions related to employment and opportunities in the region

The next answers that have been examined for possible grouping are those related to young people's attitudes towards emigration and their views on working and living conditions abroad. These are the answers to the following questions from the questionnaire:

• 6. Do you think that a person with your education can find a job to provide you with such income abroad? • 10. What is the main reason to think about emigration abroad? • 11. Do you think people with your education abroad live better than you? • 12. Would you advise your children to emigrate abroad? • 15. Do you think that the inhabitants of the bigger cities live better than the inhabitants of the smaller towns?

The factor analysis shows that two sets of variables that explain 75% variations can be formed. The first group covers questions 6, 11, 12 and 15 and the second group - question 10.

Table 6 Factor analysis of questions related to emigration attitudes

On the same basis as a common variable, the answers to the questions about the desire to emigrate to a larger city or abroad are grouped, and the formed common variable explains over 88% of the variations.

Table 7 Factor analysis of questions related to the desire for emigration

After the determination of the final dependent and independent variables based on the analyzes and conclusions of the study of the current conditions for the youth in the region and the descriptive analysis of the questionnaire responses, the following hypotheses were formed regarding the attitudes of the young people towards emigration:

• Hypothesis 1: Young men want to emigrate more than young women - Hypothesis 1.1: Young men want to emigrate abroad more than young women - Hypothesis 1.2: Young men want to emigrate to other cities more than young women

• Hypothesis 2: Young people aged 19-25 want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 2.1: Young people aged 19-25 want to emigrate abroad more than the others - Hypothesis 2.2: Young people aged 19-25 want to emigrate to other cities more than the others • Hypothesis 3: Young people with higher education want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 3.1: Young people with higher education want to emigrate abroad more than the others - Hypothesis 3.2.: Young people with higher education want to emigrate to other cities more than the others • Hypothesis 4: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 4.1: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate abroad more than the others - Hypothesis 4.2: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate to other cities more than the others • Hypothesis 5: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 5.1: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate abroad more than the others - Hypothesis 5.2: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate to other cities more than the others

In order to test these hypotheses on the basis of the responses received from the conducted questionnaire, a logistic regression analysis was made to verify whether the independent variables thus defined - gender, age, education, employment and opportunities, and emigration; influence young people's desire to emigrate. This type of analysis is chosen because the dependent variable is dichotomous.

The results of the logistic regression analysis show that the age, sex and education of young people have no influence on their desire to emigrate to another country or stay in the area. With the greatest influence on the youngsters' desire to emigrate to another country are their views on the opportunities for better work and better living conditions in another country. Followed by the working conditions and opportunities for good life in the region.

Table 8 Influence of independent variables on the desire for emigration abroad

Thus, after the results obtained, it is possible to reject the first three sub- hypotheses as untrue, as the age, education and gender of young people have no effect on their desire for emigration abroad. It does not matter what age, gender or education the young people in the region have for them to want to emigrate from the region.

The results confirm the other two sub-hypotheses, and in order to obtain more accurate information about exactly what the sub-factories of the young people's desire for emigration abroad are, we will examine the influence of the elements forming each variable again by using a logistic regression analysis.

Without an impact on the desire for emigration abroad is the possibility for young people to live on their own at the moment. Although most of the young people have responded that they cannot live alone with the income they have, it does not make them want to emigrate to another country. This is mostly due to the different habits of life in smaller towns and villages where large

families live in one house in the majority of the cases. It also does not matter where they think they are on the social scale of social status.

Of greatest importance for the desire for emigration abroad among young people in the region is their assessment of their personal financial prospects if they remain in the region. Young people who think they are able to earn high income in the future are less willing to emigrate abroad. Unfortunately, 49% of young people think they will not be poor or rich, and another 35% think they will be financially restricted.

Next of importance for young people's desire to emigrate abroad is that they are not well paid for the job they work and deserve more money for it. A total of 62% of young people think they should get a higher salary for the work they do.

Thirdly of importance is the opinion of the youth that a person with their education can find a job in their city / village to provide him/her with income to live well. The presence of such an opportunity causes young people not to consider the opportunities for emigration from the region. Only 11% of young people consider that they can find such a job easily, while 58% of them think it will be possible but very difficult.

Last is the amount of wage that young people receive at the moment. Those who are happy with the remuneration they receive from their work do not want to emigrate abroad. However, the percentage of young people who are satisfied with their pay is very low - 20%.

Table 9 Influence of the sub-factors included in the "salary and opportunity" factor on the desire for emigration abroad

In terms of factor "emigration" most important for the desire of young people to emigrate abroad is their opinion that people with their education abroad live better than them. Overall, 73% of young people believe that other people with their education have better living conditions.

The other factor that matters for the youngsters' desire to go abroad is their view that a person with their education can find a job that will provide him/her with a good income abroad. Here again, the majority of young people have a positive opinion - 52%.

Whether young people would recommend to their children to emigrate abroad is not relevant to their own desire to emigrate abroad.

Table 10 Influence of the sub-factors included in the “emigration” factor on the desire for emigration abroad

In contrast to the desire for emigration abroad, the education of young people is important for their desire to emigrate to another city. Young people with a higher level of education would like to find a professional realization and live in another city. Similar to the desire for emigration abroad, "pay and opportunity" and "emigration" factors are of high importance for the desire for emigration in another city.

Table 11 Influence of independent variables on the desire to emigrate to another city

The most important thing for young people to want to emigrate to another city is the opportunity to find a job with their education to provide them with income to live well. The lack of such opportunities makes many of the young people in the region want to emigrate to other cities. The next is the opportunity for young people with the income they have to live on their own. Including this factor, unlike the desire to emigrate abroad. In this case, staying in the same country is likely to be important in the possibility of living alone, because in their own country the youngsters would be more relaxed to leave their family.

Table 12 Influence of sub-factories included in the "salary and opportunity" factor on the desire to emigrate to another city

Of course, for the young people's desire to emigrate to another city is important their opinion that people live better in larger cities, but the positive answer to this question is that most young people think this is not the case - 59% of respondents.

Table 13 Influence of sub-factories involved in the “emigration” factor on the desire for emigration to another city

The results of the analyzes confirm the following hypotheses:

• Hypothesis 3: Young people with higher education want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 3.2.: Young people with higher education want to emigrate to other cities more than the others • Hypothesis 4: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 4.1: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate abroad more than the others - Hypothesis 4.2: Young people with worse working conditions and opportunities for a peaceful life want to emigrate to other cities more than the others • Hypothesis 5: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate more than the others - Hypothesis 5.1: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate abroad more than the others

- Hypothesis 5.2: Young people who see more benefits in working and living in other cities or countries want to emigrate to other cities more than the others

CONCLUSION

The results of the statistical and sociological analysis show that the number of young people in the region is declining and many of those who have stayed in the region would like to emigrate to another city or country.

The main reasons for these attitudes are:

• Lack of opportunities for varied vocational education; • Insufficient satisfaction from the remuneration received in the region; • Lack of opportunities for companies in the more modern economic sectors working in the field of innovation and information technologies, including foreign firms; • Insufficient Internet access to allow young people to work remotely for companies from other cities or countries; • Lack of opportunities and incentives for young people to start their own business • Views and expectations of young people from the region that they would receive higher salaries if they emigrate from the region

According to most of the young people, a positive feature of the region could be the more peaceful and more environmentally friendly living conditions.

Measures to reduce the number of young migrants

In view of the thus obtained results, the following measures could be recommended to reduce the number of young migrants in the region:

• Creating favorable conditions and attracting investors from the more modern and interactive sectors, as well as those working in the field of innovation; • Encouraging young people to actively seek employment and to improve their professional qualifications and experience in order to represent a more attractive and competitive workforce for external investor companies; • Improving access to fast and secure Internet services to create the conditions for young people to stay in the region while working remotely for national and international companies; • Offering modern vocational training by high schools and other educational organizations, whereby the professional qualifications of young people can meet the needs of the business; • Organization of internship programs in state and private youth organizations; • Encourage businesses to organize training schools themselves to choose and train suitable candidates; • Creating better communication between young people and employers to highlight the problems and attitudes of young people related to the work that they fulfill and their perceptions for the pay they would like to receive; • Improving support measures for young people who want to start their own business with local government assistance, offering mentoring from businesses, helping with seeking funding, offering shared office space, and more;

• Conduct campaigns to attract young people who have already left the region; • Continue to invest in infrastructure to improve the region's links with other larger cities • Maintaining and improving the ecological living conditions; • Offer a variety of ways to spend leisure time for young people; • Implementing programs and projects for exchange of students, young people and employees; • Implementing programs and projects for more active inclusion of young people in public and business life, including the implementation of social innovation and cross-border and international cooperation with youth organizations

100

Focus and scope of planned seminars

As initial measures as a result of the conducted study and analysis in the short term it is proposed to organize seminars and trainings on the following topics:

• Meetings between business and youth representatives on search of employees and offering of employment; • Training of young people in the field of starting their own business; • Training young people on the opportunities offered by social entrepreneurship; • Presentation of opportunities for applying for cross-border and international projects and exchange and partnership programs after which young people submit project ideas for application by local administrations or non-governmental organizations; • Organization of meetings between young people and training institutions to develop additional vocational trainings; • Presenting young people with opportunities for more active inclusion in the social life of the region; • Presenting young people with opportunities to find remote work; • Presenting young people with opportunities to seek mentoring for professional development • Assisting young people in preparing CVs, portfolios and others for job search; • Organizing fairs with the participation of various national and international companies offering flexible working conditions

101

References

1. Population and demographic processes in Montana region in 2015, Northwest Territorial Statistical Bureau, 2016 2. National Youth Strategy (2012-2020), Bulgaria 3. Assessment of the state and analysis of the profile of teenagers and young people who are not working, are not studying and are not trained (NEETS), UNICEF Bulgaria, 2015 4. Municipal Plan for Development of the Municipality of Montana 2014-2020 5. Regional Strategy for Development of Montana region 2014-2020 6. Municipal Development Plan of Chiprovtsi Municipality 2014-2020 7. Regional profiles of the Institute for Market Economics Foundation 8. Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Employment Agency 9. Statistical Issue Number 174 - Year LXVII, 30/06/2017 - Internal migration 2016 - Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia 10.Statistical Issue Number 172 - Year LXVII, 30/06/2017 - Population 2016 - Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia 11.Municipalities and Regions of the Republic of Serbia 2016 - Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia 12. Statistical Issue Number 204 - Year LXVII, 25/07/2017 - Salaries and Remuneration of Employee, by Municipalities and Cities - Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia 13. National Youth Strategy 2015 - 2025 - Republic of Serbia 14. Timok Region Regional Development Strategy for 2011-2018

102