“Young people are a resource, not a problem.
The main objective of youth work is
to provide opportunities for young people
to shape their own futures.”

The Veliko Tarnovo University “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” is among the first educational institutions in Bulgaria to offer a qualification program for a new profession – Youth Worker. In the 2014/2015 academic year, in partnership with the Civil Institute, the university launched a post-graduate university training for acquisition of the following professional qualification degrees in the youth work area – Consultant in Youth Activities, Youth Events and Initiatives Organizers, Volunteer Programs Organizer. The program was a result of scientific research projects aiming to study and assist the development of youth work.

In the academic 2016/2017, the Faculty in Pedagogy of the VTU “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” opened a Master’s Program in Youth Work.

During the first half of 2018, due to the active role of the Bulgarian Presidency of the European Council in youth sector, a legal framework for the European Solidarity Corps was agreed That is a new legislative initiative of the European Union, proposed by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, to help young people between 18 and 30 to participate in a range of solidarity activities in different fields as a tangible expression of European values. The launch of the European Solidarity Corps creates as well new challenges for the development of youth work in Europe.

Our aim is by the annual conference to encourage the debate among universities, public and private partners, researchers, youth workers and youth leaders on the challenges in the development of the youth work in Europe. We believe that the conference will provide a forum for fruitful communication between diverse professional communities.

… Hey, people,
Dream
Boldly
And wisely!
What you’ve dreamt, you know,
Tomorrow
This shall be!

Penyo Penev