Giving Young People a Voice: Discussing Local Challenges in Veliko Tarnovo
October 22, 2026 - Society
On 21 October, Veliko Tarnovo hosted a regional meeting dedicated to civic participation and identifying local challenges. The event was organized by the National Youth Forum in partnership with TaM and the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”.
The meeting brought together people interested in the development of local communities, creating opportunities for civic engagement, and finding ways to address everyday challenges.
Encouraging Young People to Get Involved
One of the key topics was how to encourage the younger generation to become more active in their communities. Discussions focused on what motivates young people to participate, what prevents them from getting involved, and how they can feel that their voices and opinions truly matter.
Creating more opportunities for young people to share their ideas, participate in local initiatives, and contribute to decision-making is an important step towards building more active and connected communities.
Everyday Problems, Shared Concerns
The discussions also addressed a variety of local challenges affecting everyday life in Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding region.
Participants exchanged ideas about issues such as stray animals, street lighting, parking spaces, and other concerns related to the urban environment and the needs of local residents.
Although these topics were different, they shared a common theme: the importance of listening to people, understanding their needs, and working together to find practical solutions.
Learning Through Dialogue and Participation
As European Solidarity Corps volunteers, we also had the opportunity to join a discussion group and actively contribute to the conversation.
Our group discussions were held in English, allowing us to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and learn more about the challenges facing the local community.
The meeting used the interactive “World Café” format, encouraging participants to discuss different topics, listen to one another, and explore possible solutions together.
The experience highlighted how valuable open dialogue can be in bringing people together, sharing different perspectives, and identifying common priorities.
Building Stronger Communities Together
The meeting was a reminder that civic participation is not only about attending meetings or expressing opinions. It is also about feeling responsible for the place we live in, listening to others, and taking part in shaping our shared future.
By creating spaces where residents, young people, and organizations can exchange ideas, initiatives like this help strengthen connections within the community and encourage more people to take an active role in local life.
Every voice matters, and meaningful change begins when people have the opportunity to be heard.