Information providers / counselling structures

Information on democratic rights, civic participation and democratic values for young people is disseminated through a combination of public authorities, national youth institutions, schools and EU-related structures. There is no single centralised youth information system, but several national-level actors play a key role.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is the main authority responsible authority for the implementation of state youth policy. It disseminates information on:

• Youth participation mechanisms;
• National youth programmes and funding opportunities;
• Youth rights and civic engagement initiatives;
• Structured dialogue and EU Youth Dialogue processes.

The Ministry provides information online and through consultations, public calls and youth-related events.

The Ministry of Education and Science contributes through formal education policies and dissemination of information related to:

• Civic education curricula;
• Democratic school governance;
• Student participation structures;
• Media literacy and digital citizenship.

Schools themselves act as direct information providers to students regarding their democratic rights within the school community.

The Central Election Commission provides official information on electoral rights, voting procedures and participation in national and local elections, including information targeting first-time voters.

Information is publicly accessible online and during election campaigns includes voter awareness materials.

The National Youth Information System, maintained by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, serves as an online access point for youth information, including:

• Civic participation opportunities;
• Youth programmes;
• Volunteering and mobility initiatives;
• Youth policies and strategies.

Young people in Bulgaria also have access to EU-level information via the European Youth Portal, which includes country-specific information about participation, rights and opportunities.

Youth centres established in several municipalities provide:

• Information and counselling services;
• Training on civic participation and democratic values;
• Non-formal education activities;
• Support for youth initiatives.

These centres offer both in-person counselling and online communication channels (websites and social media pages).

Bulgaria does not have a single unified national law exclusively regulating youth information and counselling centres. However, the framework is defined under the Youth Act, which regulates state youth policy, recognises youth organisations, provides a legal basis for state support for youth activities.

Youth information and counselling services are typically delivered by:

• Municipal youth centres;
• Youth NGOs;
• Schools (career guidance offices, pedagogical counsellors);
• EU programme contact points (Erasmus+ National Agency).

Youth centres and youth organisations may receive public financial support through:

• the national youth programmes (state budget via the Ministry of Youth and Sports);
• municipal budgets;
• Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps funding;
• EEA/Norway Grants (for youth infrastructure and participation projects).

Public funding is generally project-based and subject to competitive procedures and reporting requirements.

Youth-targeted information campaigns about democratic rights and democratic values

Youth-targeted information campaigns on democratic rights and democratic values are mainly implemented in connection with election cycles, European initiatives and publicly funded youth projects. A central role is played by the Central Election Commission, which conducts national information campaigns ahead of parliamentary, presidential, local and European Parliament elections. These campaigns include media outreach, online information materials and explanatory guidance on voting procedures, including machine voting. Although addressed to the general electorate, they provide specific information relevant to first-time voters, aiming to increase awareness of electoral rights and encourage participation. Information is publicly accessible via the Commission’s website.

European-level democratic participation is promoted through initiatives of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Bulgaria, particularly in the period preceding European Parliament elections. Activities include public awareness campaigns, debates, school and university outreach events and digital communication targeting young people. The main objectives are to raise awareness of the role of the European Parliament, promote informed voting and strengthen understanding of European democratic values. First-time voters, students and urban youth audiences are among the primary target groups 

In addition, the Ministry of Youth and Sports supports project-based awareness-raising initiatives under the national youth programmes and through the implementation of the EU Youth Dialogue. These initiatives include consultations, youth forums, peer education campaigns and local civic events designed to promote active citizenship and youth participation in decision-making. Target groups often include young people aged 15-29, young people from rural areas, NEETs and other groups at risk of social exclusion. 

Overall, youth-targeted campaigns are predominantly periodic and project-based rather than part of a permanent national communication scheme. Outreach to first-time voters is mainly ensured through election-related campaigns led by public authorities, complemented by EU-linked and NGO-led initiatives promoting democratic engagement and European values among young people.

Promoting the intercultural dialogue among young people

Intercultural dialogue among young people is promoted through national education policies, youth programmes and EU-funded initiatives. Activities are mainly project-based and implemented by schools, youth centres, municipalities and non-governmental organisations, often with public or European funding.

One of the key frameworks is the Ordinance on Civic, Health, Environmental and Intercultural Education adopted under the Pre-school and School Education Act and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science. Intercultural education is integrated as a cross-curricular priority in schools. This includes curricular and extracurricular educational activities, school projects, thematic weeks and community events. The main objectives is to promote tolerance, respect for cultural diversity, prevention of discrimination and social inclusion; strengthen democratic values and social cohesion aimed at integration of intercultural elements into curricula, increased school-level initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion. Target groups include students from different ethnic backgrounds, including Roma students, as well as students from migrant and refugee families.

Intercultural dialogue is also promoted through youth projects funded under the Erasmus+ Programme (Youth field) and the European Solidarity Corps. These projects include youth exchanges, training courses, solidarity projects, volunteering activities and cross-border partnerships and the time frame is project-based (typically 12–24 months). They are aimed at fostering intercultural learning, mutual understanding, European values, active citizenship and inclusion.

Specific target groups often include young people with fewer opportunities, including those from rural areas, economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Roma communities and, where applicable, young migrants and refugees.

Youth centres established with public and EEA/Norway Grants funding also implement structured non-formal education programmes promoting intercultural dialogue. The initiatives include workshops, peer-learning sessions, debates, cultural events and community-based projects.

Their main objectives are to strengthen intercultural understanding at local level, reduce stereotypes, encourage cooperation between young people from different communities.

Main outcomes: increased youth participation in intercultural initiatives; improved dialogue between majority and minority youth groups; local partnerships between schools, NGOs and municipalities.

Furthermore, projects under the national youth programmes, coordinated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, support civil society organisations implementing awareness-raising campaigns, intercultural workshops and youth-led community initiatives. These projects aim to promote tolerance, democratic values and equal participation, especially among disadvantaged youth groups.

Promoting transparent and youth-tailored public communication

The main legal basis for transparent public communication is the Access to Public Information Act (Закон за достъп до обществена информация) (effective from 7 July 2000, last amendment and supplement 10 February 2026). This Act guarantees the right of citizens, including young people, to access information held by public authorities and obliges institutions to:

• publish information proactively (including decisions, strategies and reports);

• respond to requests for access to public information;

• maintain online transparency sections on official websites.

In addition, The Youth Act establishes principles of openness, transparency and consultation in the development and implementation of youth policy. It foresees the involvement of youth organisations in consultations and policymaking processes.

Public institutions are also required to conduct public consultations on draft legislation through the Public Consultation Portal (Strategy.bg) (Портал за обществени консултации). This platform allows young people and youth organisations to submit opinions on draft laws and policy documents. 

The Ministry of Youth and Sports coordinates the national youth policy and supports youth participation mechanisms. They aim to ensure that communication between decision-makers and young people is structured, inclusive and accessible. Information targeting young people is disseminated through the National Youth Information System, the Ministry’s websites and social media channels, and through public consultations and thematic youth forums.

There is no permanent national training programme exclusively dedicated to youth-tailored communication for policymakers. However, training and capacity-building activities are organised within broader governance and youth policy frameworks.

Such initiatives include:

• training seminars and consultation meetings organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the context of EU Youth Dialogue cycles;

• Erasmus+ funded projects focusing on youth participation and structured dialogue, which may include training for local authorities and youth workers on participatory communication methods;

• capacity-building activities for municipal administrations implemented through EU-funded operational programmes (e.g. ESF+), including modules on public consultation, transparency and citizen engagement.

They are targeted to:

• local and municipal policymakers;

• public administration officials;

• youth officers at municipal level;

• representatives of youth organisations.

The objectives of these trainings usually include improving participatory governance, enhancing dialogue with young people, promoting inclusive communication practices and strengthening transparency in decision-making.