MOST - Tundzha Youth Ombudsman Council - increasing the active participation of young people in local development

Civic participation in public policy decision-making is a new dimension in government-citizen relations. It refers to the understanding that citizens have the right to be a permanent and independent participant in policy-making process. Young people are highly responsive to all important topics: quality education that prepares them for competition in the labor market, volunteering as a mean to further develop knowledge and competencies, youth spaces as an environment for creativity and skills acquisition, career guidance as a practice introduced in secondary education, social entrepreneurship and starting a new business. However, young people often feel insufficiently understood, involved and empowered in the decision-making process, as well as in the subsequent activities for the implementation of these decisions, especially in the smaller city in Bulgaria. It is generally believed that development is needed of strategies and policies and their implementation, in order to activate and involve young people in decision-making processes. The participation of young people in local, regional and national governance is still unstructured and incidental. There is a need to improve the effective participation of young people in the monitoring and implementation of policies at municipal and district level, as well as to increase communication between young people and local authorities, strengthening the participation of various youth organizations in public life. The project aims to achieve partnership management between local government (Tundzha municipality) and citizens (especially youth) and business and improve the socio-economic environment in Tundzha Municipality, by stimulating youth activity in formulating, implementing and monitoring state and local policies and legislation at local level, for setting priorities for the development of the Municipality, in various public spheres and decision-making and implementation of policies that meet public needs.

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