International Youth Center’s mission is aimed to serve youth sector and young people. Main focus of the Center’s program is on young people and those who work with and for them. Most of the educational activities correspond to a non-formal educational profile, providing a tolerant and safe working environment based on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, human rights, including those of minorities. The Youth Center develops international cooperation within the youth sector through its participation in the European partner networks. It hosts and disseminates international and multilateral activities, indicating that it is involved in a wider European/international cooperation in the youth sector. International Youth Center team in Stara Zagora concentrates its work on several main areas: International Youth Center carries out activities organized in several main areas:

The International Youth Center implements activities that are organized in several main directions:

      • Good practice exchange
      • Debates and discussions
      • National and international conferences
      • Informal trainings and workshops
      • Interest clubs
      • Leisure activities

Project BGLD-1.003-0003 "International Youth Center - think locally, act globally!", financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area

In 2014 Stara Zagora Municipality signs a grant contract for the implementation of Project BG – 06 101 “International Youth Center for Work with Children and Youth at Risk” in Stara Zagora. Project is implemented through the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism The Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Areawith the financial support of the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Kingdom of Norway. Project includes activities aimed at integration of youth at risk and repair works – reconstruction of the building of the former cinema “Zhelyo Dimanov“.

For the purpose Stara Zagora Municipality has provided a building, a Municipal property, located at a convenient place with good communications and location in the city center. Project specific objectives are: reconstruction of an existing building, furniture and equipment of a center for work with young people at risk; establishment of clubs to work with young people in various fields; meet the youth policies/youth programs criteria and infrastructure and center administration requirements; preparation and application for the Council of Europe Quality Label award; ensure the Project activities sustainability; incorporate the Council of Europe values as a key priority and focus in the Center’s general activity.

In 2017, at an official ceremony in Stara Zagora, the International Youth Center is awarded with the Council of Europe Quality Label.It is valid for 3 years considered as of January 1, 2017. The Quality Label is awarded to youth centers that have met a wide range of criteria in more than 15 categories. As of 2017, IYC Stara Zagora is one of the eight centers across Europe awarded with the prestigious honor. In 2019, following an expert committee inspection, the International Youth Center Quality Label is renewed.

In 2020, Stara Zagora Municipality wins a project to expand the International Youth Center activity. The grant approved for the Project “International Youth Center ‘Think Locally Act Globally” under the Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups Program,amounts to BGN 1 870 986 for a period of 36 months.

Name of the project: : “International Youth Center – Think Locally, Act Globally!” Project number: BGLD-1.003-0003 Beneficiary: Stara Zagora Municipality Partner: Glemmen videregående skole, Norway Budget: EUR 956 635 (BGN 1 870 986.73) Project start date: 01.07.2020 Duration: 36 months. Project’s main objective is to improve and expand the activities of the International Youth Center in Stara Zagora by optimizing the conditions for the social inclusion of vulnerable groups, as well as to extend the territorial coverage and scope of participants. To offer activities based on non-formal educational methods in towns and villages in the region where young people at risk and their families reside. The main target group is children, young and elderly people, including those from ethnic minorities at risk, dropouts from the educational system, accommodated in social services homes, at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Center activities will aim at creating conditions for support, social inclusion and personal development of the participating users through information, counseling, training, leisure activities, providing opportunities for experience exchange with organizations from donor countries and European partners and participation in joint campaigns, initiatives and trainings of the National Network of Youth Centers. Project specific objectives are: to expand the territorial and age range, to increase the variety of activities carried out by the team; to create preconditions for social inclusion and vulnerable groups inclusion, personal development and acquisition of new knowledge and skills, psychological and counseling support, to empower young people and their families living in Stara Zagora region; to strengthen partnerships with organizations having a similar vision and mission at local, national and international level in order to improve young people’s knowledge of the world around them, to enrich their culture and raise their self-esteem; to strengthen the cooperation within the youth sector at European level.