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1. Intercultural awareness

2. Young people's rights

3. Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalisation which lead to violent extremism

Intercultural awareness

Intercultural awareness and intercultural dialogue are promoted mainly through national strategies, education policies, cultural programmes and EU-funded initiatives rather than through a single standalone national campaign. The approach combines policy-level commitments with project-based implementation, particularly targeting young people, students and vulnerable communities.

A central framework is the National Strategy for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of the Roma (2021-2030) (Национална стратегия за равенство, приобщаване и участие на ромите (2021-2030)). Although primarily focused on Roma inclusion, the Strategy includes a strong intercultural dimension. It promotes intercultural education, anti-discrimination measures and awareness-raising activities aimed at fostering tolerance and mutual understanding between Roma and non-Roma communities. Measures include educational mediation, support for intercultural school environments, public campaigns against hate speech and cooperation with local authorities and NGOs. The main target groups are Roma children and young people, students in multicultural schools, teachers, local communities and public institutions. Monitoring reports indicate gradual improvements in school participation and increased use of educational mediators, although social distance indicators remain a challenge.

Within the education system, intercultural dialogue is embedded in the national education policy under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Science. Intercultural education is integrated into curricula through civic education, history and culture subjects. It is further supported through national programmes such as “Support for Educational Mediators” and projects financed under the Human Resources Development Programme 2021-2027. Schools with ethnically diverse student populations receive targeted support for activities promoting tolerance, inclusion and prevention of segregation. Target groups include students in primary and secondary education, teachers and school mediators. Outcomes reported include increased mediator employment, reduced early school leaving in supported schools and improved communication between schools and families from minority backgrounds.

At youth policy level, the Ministry of Youth and Sports supports intercultural dialogue through project-based funding for youth organisations under the National Youth Programme. These include youth exchanges, trainings, diversity campaigns and intercultural learning workshops. Such initiatives typically aim to develop intercultural competences, combat stereotypes and promote active citizenship among young people aged 15-29. Outcomes are reported in terms of number of supported projects, participating youth organisations and young participants involved annually.

In the cultural sector, the Ministry of Culture and municipalities support multicultural festivals, heritage events and initiatives highlighting minority cultures (including Roma, Armenian, Jewish and Turkish cultural heritage). These initiatives aim to increase visibility of cultural diversity and foster dialogue through arts and community engagement. Target groups include young people, cultural professionals and the broader public.

Young people's rights

The promotion and protection of young people’s rights are primarily implemented through institutional youth representation structures, ombudsman mechanisms, child and youth rights advocacy platforms, and EU-supported participation frameworks rather than through one single national youth rights campaign. The approach combines policy dialogue, civic participation, awareness raising and institutional protection mechanisms.

The National Youth Forum (NMF) is the largest umbrella organisation representing youth NGOs in Bulgaria. It participates in policy consultations, structured dialogue processes at national and EU level, and advocates for youth rights, participation, and democratic engagement. It represents Bulgarian youth organisations in the European Youth Forum and works to ensure that young people’s rights and interests are reflected in national legislation and youth policy frameworks.

Main outcomes:

• participation in national consultations on youth legislation and strategies;

• contribution to structured dialogue processes under the EU Youth Strategy;

• representation of youth organisations in advisory councils and working groups.

Target groups: Youth organisations and young people aged 15-29.

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria is an independent constitutional body safeguarding citizens’ rights (including children and young people). It was established in 2005 and its main purpose is to defend the rights and freedoms of citizens, including minors and young people, in cases of maladministration or rights violations by public authorities. The institution works actively on child protection, access to education, social services, anti-discrimination and protection from violence. The Ombudsman also issues recommendations, initiates legislative proposals and conducts awareness campaigns related to rights protection.

Main outcomes:

• handling complaints from young people and families;

• public recommendations to state authorities;

• awareness initiatives regarding child and youth rights.

Target groups: Children, adolescents and young people, families, vulnerable youth.

UNICEF Bulgaria – Youth Participation and Rights Platforms (U-Report) is an online youth participation platform/ rights awareness initiative. It was launched in Bulgaria in 2021 and represents a digital platform enabling young people to express opinions on policies affecting them (education, health, discrimination, participation). It strengthens youth voice and promotes awareness of children’s and young people’s rights in cooperation with national institutions.

Main outcomes:

• thousands of young respondents engaged in polls;

• youth consultations feeding into public debates;

• increased awareness of participation rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Target groups: Young people aged 14-29.

The Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) is an independent specialised state body, established under the Protection against Discrimination Act (2004). CPD protects individuals, including young people, from discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation and other grounds. It conducts investigations, issues binding decisions and promotes equality awareness.

Main outcomes:

• examination of discrimination complaints;

• awareness campaigns on equality and rights;

• training and outreach activities in educational institutions.

Target groups: Young people experiencing discrimination, students, vulnerable youth.

Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalization which lead to violent extremism

Prevention of radicalization leading to violent extremism is addressed through national security policy, education policy and anti-discrimination mechanisms. There is no standalone youth-specific anti-radicalization programme. Instead, prevention measures are integrated into broader education and equality frameworks.

Within the education system, the Ministry of Education and Science introduced Civic Education as a compulsory subject in upper secondary education (from the 2018/2019 school year). The subject promotes democratic values, human rights, rule of law, tolerance and media literacy, which are considered preventive tools against radicalization and extremist ideologies.

In addition, the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) implements awareness raising activities and addresses cases related to hate speech, discrimination and xenophobia. These measures contribute indirectly to safeguarding democratic values and preventing exclusion-based radicalization.

The main target groups addressed by these measures include students in secondary education, young people at risk of marginalisation, educational professionals, and practitioners working in prevention (teachers, social workers). Monitoring is conducted through administrative reporting mechanisms within the respective institutions and through participation in EU-level cooperation frameworks.