National meeting: Youth Participation

The event was masterfully organized by the Youth Alliance for Peace and Development of the Balkans, in partnership with the National Youth Forum and the Municipality of Yambol. From logistics to the facilitation of sessions, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism and attention to detail.

Registration was seamless, pre-event communication was clear and consistent, and the environment was welcoming and engaging. Every aspect of the experience – from the scheduling to the hospitality – showed the care and dedication of a team that truly understands how to bring people together for meaningful impact.

I was surrounded by an incredible network of highly capable and motivated young people. Each participant brought their own expertise and local perspective, but all of us were united by a common mission – to drive change.

The discussions we held were deep, solution-oriented, and refreshingly mature. We didn't just speak about problems; we co-created answers. I was especially impressed by the level of knowledge, critical thinking, and civic maturity that filled the space. These weren’t just conversations – they were the seeds of policy reform and collective action.

One of the most powerful aspects of the meeting was its policy-making dimension. Through thematic working groups, we crafted a comprehensive declaration with concrete and actionable recommendations to national institutions, including:

• Clear definition of “youth participation” aligned with European standards;

• Official recognition and support for municipal youth councils;

• A national law to promote and recognize volunteering;

• Structural reforms in student self-governance in schools;

• Sustainable funding for youth organizations;

• Development of a national youth information system.

Being involved in the formulation of this declaration was both empowering and motivating. It was a real example of youth having a voice at the decision-making table.

This event opened the door to new partnerships with youth workers, project coordinators, municipal representatives, and national experts. Some of these contacts have already grown into collaborations for future Erasmus+ projects, youth exchanges, and climate action initiatives.

The connections made were not just social – they were based on shared values, common goals, and a belief in youth-driven change.