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International Youth Center Stara Zagora gives young people confidence, a sense of community, opportunities for expression, development and empowerment.
An escape room opening and the presentation of a bilingual handbook of good practices are coming soon.
International Youth Center – Stara Zagora is the first youth center in Bulgaria to receive the Quality Label of the Council of Europe — a recognition awarded back in 2017. Today, the center not only maintains this standard, but also serves as a training and methodological example for the newly established youth centers in the country. The only other center in Bulgaria with the same distinction is the one in Plovdiv.
The activities, challenges, and causes of IYC–Stara Zagora are presented by its director Maria Dimitrova-Dyulgyarova and youth workers Milka Koldamova and Neli Mineva, who work daily with young people between the ages of 15 and 29.
“2025 has been an extremely dynamic year for the youth center so far,” shares Maria Dyulgyarova. The center continues implementing its established initiatives, including training camps focused on human rights, volunteering, environmental protection, and personal development. Alongside them, however, new formats created with and for young people are also being developed.
Among the most successful initiatives is the Presentation Championship, whose fourth national edition will take place this year. The regional championship, from which the idea originated, has already celebrated its tenth edition. “Young people from all youth centers across the country participate in the national championship by invitation, aiming to improve their presentation and public speaking skills,” the team explains.
Over the past year, IYC - Stara Zagora also organized two roundtable discussions dedicated to dialogue between young people and institutions, youth empowerment, and youth participation in decision-making processes. A new edition of the format is being prepared for this autumn and will feature experts from the field as guest speakers.
A special place in the center’s work is occupied by the music room, where student bands from Stara Zagora rehearse and develop their talents. It was precisely there that the idea for the youth concert “Wires Beneath the Linden Trees” was born. Its first edition was successfully held last summer at the Ancient Forum “Augusta Traiana.” “Almost everything was organized by the young people themselves — from the concept to the implementation — while we supported them every step of the way,” the youth workers emphasize.
The second edition of the concert will take place on July 3rd, once again at the Ancient Forum, and this year the young organizers are also planning a charitable cause. Student bands from Stara Zagora, as well as a guest band from Plovdiv, will participate in the concert.
“Our role is to coordinate and support young people administratively, while the ideas, organization, and responsibilities belong to them,” comments Maria Dyulgyarova.
Another initiative attracting serious interest is “Health Up Close – Young People Ask, Experts Answer.” It is implemented jointly with partners from the Regional Health Inspectorate and experts Galina Dimitrova and Iskra Dineva. The topics are related to physical and mental health, and participants have the opportunity to ask questions anonymously, which are to discussed openly with experts.
The upcoming June edition will focus on mental health with the participation of Dr. Ivan Dobrinov. “The youth center is a safe place where young people can freely discuss topics that concern them,” the team emphasizes.
This summer, the center will also implement a project funded under a program of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It will include training activities focused on mental health, volunteering, leadership skills development, encouraging civic participation, as well as various sports, cultural, and health initiatives.
One of the newest initiatives is the campaign “IYC Close to You,” through which the team will work directly with young people in public spaces outside the center building. “We want communication to be more informal. We want to be where young people naturally feel comfortable,” the team explains.
This year, four training camps will also be organized — focused on volunteering, human rights, career guidance, mental health, and personal development.
International exchanges also remain an important part of the center’s activities. Over the past year, youth workers and active young people from Stara Zagora visited Braga and Luxembourg, where they exchanged experience with other youth centers holding the Quality Label.
“For many of these young people, this was their first trip outside Bulgaria. They met different cultures, built friendships, and saw how youth organizations work across Europe,” the youth workers explain.
The youth workers themselves also participate in international training courses, with priority given to those organized by the Council of Europe. The topics include democracy, human rights, media literacy, and the use of artificial intelligence.
“It is important for young people to learn how to use artificial intelligence wisely and productively, not simply as an interesting tool,” the team believes.
Just days ago, IYC–Stara Zagora hosted two important events. The first was a special coaching visit from the Council of Europe aimed at supporting the development of centers with the Quality Label and maintaining high standards in youth work.
The center also hosted an external session of the National Working Group for Local Youth Policy under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which also includes representatives of the local municipal administration.
The youth center also offers various spaces for development — including a music room, art hall, dance hall, conference spaces, and a social area for board games and meetings.
Very soon, IYC–Stara Zagora will reopen its educational escape room with an environmental theme, which will be available to young people and their families. Admission to the adventure game will be free of charge. All other activities offered by IYC are also free.
What is the most valuable lesson the director and team want to pass on to young people?
“The most important thing is for them to believe in themselves. Sometimes they only need a little support to realize that they can do it,” says Neli Mineva.
According to Maria Dyulgyarova, today’s major challenge is encouraging young people to step outside their comfort zones, connect with others, work in teams, and build communities. In Europe, young people unite around causes much more easily. This is something that is still lacking in Bulgaria.
And when asked what message they would send to young people on the eve of May 24th, the answer comes with a smile:
“Being educated is sexy,” says Milka Koldamova.
She adds: “Young people need to feel support — not simply to be told that someone believes in them, but to truly feel it.”
On the eve of May 24th, the IYC–Stara Zagora team also announced the upcoming presentation of a very valuable publication — a handbook of good practices from the center’s activities.
The handbook is a bilingual guide intended to support youth workers and institutions working with and for young people. At the same time, it can also introduce young people interested in youth work to the role of a youth center, as well as its approaches and methods.
The handbook was published with the support of Dr. Vesela Mareva, former director of the youth center, in collaboration with the entire team of youth workers.
“We are eagerly awaiting the presentation of the publication. We will invite representatives of institutions, including the responsible ministry. The handbook is a great source of pride and joy for us,” say the team at IYC–Stara Zagora.
NBP.bg, Radoslava RashevaВ