This chapter provides an overview of the main policies, measures and practices related to youth work in Bulgaria. Youth work is recognised as an important element of national youth policy and is primarily implemented through non-formal and informal learning, supporting young people’s personal development, active citizenship and social inclusion.

At national level, youth work is framed by the Youth Act (Закон за младежта) (promulgated in State Gazette (SG) no. 31/20.04.2012, effective 20.04.2012 and was last amended and supplemented in SG no. 61/02.08.2022, effective 02.08.2022) and the National Youth Strategy 2021-2030 (Национална стратегия за младежта 2021-2030), which constitutes the main strategic document guiding youth policy in the country. The Strategy sets a long-term vision for “capable, engaged and empowered young people” and defines priorities related to participation, skills development, inclusion and the strengthening of youth organisations.

In addition, youth work is explicitly addressed as a priority area, with a focus on its further development and recognition at national level, including through the establishment of dedicated coordination mechanisms such as a National Working Group on Youth Work. 

Youth work in Bulgaria is not organised as a single unified system but rather functions as a cross-sectoral field involving different policy domains, including education and training, social inclusion, culture and employment. It is delivered by a diverse range of actors, such as public authorities at national and local level, municipalities, youth centres, non-governmental organisations, community centres (chitalishta), and informal youth groups. Activities typically include volunteering, youth initiatives, peer learning, youth information services and project-based work. 

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is the main authority responsible for the development and implementation of youth policy and plays a central role in supporting youth work. At the same time, youth work governance reflects a broader multi-sectoral approach, involving cooperation between institutions and stakeholders at different levels, in line with the overall vision of a coordinated and sustainable youth policy.

Despite the progress achieved in recent years, several challenges remain in the development of youth work in Bulgaria. These include the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework defining youth work as a distinct profession, limited standardisation and recognition of youth workers’ competences, and uneven access to quality youth work services across regions. In addition, the sustainability of funding and the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders continue to be identified as areas for improvement. Addressing these challenges is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the role and impact of youth work within the broader youth policy framework.

This is why, the National Working Group on Youth Work and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are currently working on amendments to the Youth Act in order to address, among others, the definition of youth work, the statute and sustainable funding of youth centres and the quality of youth work services. (see Chapter 10.8 Current debates and reforms)

Furthermore, as of 2026, Programme for Funding of Youth Centres in the Republic of Bulgaria (2026-2028) was introduced to ensure the sustainable operation of youth centres and expand access to youth work services for young people aged 15-29. The programme aims to ensure long-term sustainability of youth centres and equal access to youth services across different regions of the country. (see Chapter 10.3 Support to youth work)