No CB007.1.21.343 the Project Is Co-Funded by EU Through The
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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. 2 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. 3 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. 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. 4 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. 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 5 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. 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 6 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