2.2 Administration and Governance of Youth Volunteering
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Governance
In Bulgaria, there is no institution exclusively responsible for the administration of volunteering.
In terms of youth volunteering, the Youth Act (Закон за младежта) states that the Minister of Youth and Sports promotes youth volunteering. It further provides for that the state and the municipalities promote youth volunteering through national and municipal youth programmes. Youth volunteering is carried out in accordance with the principles of free choice, no consideration, personal responsibility, equality, respecting the life, health and dignity of the volunteer. The Youth Act further provides for the youth organisations’ obligation to introduce and promote good practices of youth volunteering.
For more information about the main actors involved in youth policy-making, see chapter 1.4 Youth policy decision-making.
Furthermore, the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate General (Главна дирекция „Пожарна безопасност и защита на населението“) at the Ministry of Interior is in charge of voluntary units for prevention and overcoming of natural disasters, fires and emergency situations and the remedy of their consequences. Such voluntary units are established at local level and may comprise capable persons at the age of 18+ who are in good physical and mental health and are not sentenced.
Cross-sectoral cooperation
There is no officially established special cross-sectoral cooperation mechanism on youth volunteering. As other youth issues, policies and measures on youth volunteering are discussed within the frames of existing and ad-hoc bodies and working groups established to ensure cross-sectoral cooperation in the field of youth, e.g. the National Advisory Council on Youth (Национален консултативен съвет за младежта) to the Minister of Youth and Sports. See chapter 1.5 Cross-sectoral approach with other ministries.
The Bulgarian Youth Red Cross (BRCY) is a voluntary youth organization that is an integral part of the Bulgarian Red Cross and belongs to the International Red Cross Movement. Through its volunteers throughout the country and training programs, activities and services, BRCY integrates children and young people into humanitarian values and principles, work to reduce their social and health vulnerability, advocates for their well-being and promotes tolerance and non-discrimination, respect for differences and cultural diversity. BRCY is a nationally representative organization and is a member of the National Advisory Council on Youth (Национален консултативен съвет за младежта) and the Public Council on Youth Matters (Обществен съвет по въпросите на младежта) to the Minister of Youth and Sports. In addition to its role as a member of the advisory councils at national level, through its local divisions across the country, the organization also cooperates with the local authorities.