Sharing the Programme and Pilot Experience
On 9 October 2026, National Management School hosted the closing event of the international project EmpowerYOUth: Enhancing Youth Mental Wellbeing in Sofia.
Partners from Bulgaria, Iceland and Italy presented the programme, their experience of piloting it, and the research findings. Young people also shared their views on the topics that matter to them and on taking part in the activities.
Supporting Young People’s Wellbeing
EmpowerYOUth offers a structured, participatory approach to supporting the mental wellbeing and resilience of young people aged 14–18. Through discussion, practical exercises and self-reflection, it addresses issues such as anxiety, relationships, bullying, social media and school stress. In Bulgaria, the programme was piloted in six schools and at the Sofia Youth Centre.
The event’s round-table discussion focused on young people’s support needs and how schools, specialists, youth organisations, families and institutions can work together to provide support at an early stage.
About the Project
EmpowerYOUth is a partnership between Píeta Ísland and NORTH Consulting ehf (Iceland), Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci ETS (Italy), and National Management School (Bulgaria). The project runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 October 2026.
It is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ KA220-YOU Cooperation Partnerships in Youth programme. Project ID: 2024-2-IS01-KA220-YOU-000285290.
Free resources are available at empoweryouth.is.
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.