In October 2025, youth work professionals from Bulgaria took part in an international training programme for youth workers held in Italy as part of the EmpowerYOUth: Enhancing Youth Mental Wellbeing project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
The training brought together 32 youth workers from partner countries and focused on building competences to support young people aged 14–18 in areas related to mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and social-emotional skills. Facilitated by experts from all partner organisations, including the National School of Management (Национална школа по мениджмънт), the programme combined presentations on the EmpowerYOUth framework and tools with practical modules, structured exercises, and group reflection sessions.
A key emphasis of the training was on preparing participants for the pilot implementation phase of the project. Bulgarian youth workers who completed the training are now among those scheduled to pilot the EmpowerYOUth model in 2026 through practical work with young people in collaboration with schools and other educational and youth-oriented organisations.
Following the in-person event, participants engaged in an online follow-up session designed to reinforce the learning outcomes and provide additional support for the initial steps of local application. Through this involvement, the National School of Management continues its ongoing work to support youth policies and practices that place youth wellbeing and sustainable development at the forefront.
🔗 Learn more about the EmpowerYOUth project and its upcoming activities on the project platforms.