Understanding the real needs and infrastructure available to young people across Bulgaria has long been a challenge for civil society, institutions, and youth workers. To bridge this critical data gap, the National Youth Forum (NMF), in partnership with the Citizen Participation Forum and supported by the National Network of Youth Centers, developed and launched an innovative digital tool: the Interactive Map of Youth Policy in Bulgaria. Built voluntarily as an open-access resource, the platform provides a comprehensive, transparent overview of the youth sector’s landscape nationwide.
Over the past decade, Bulgaria has seen high levels of youth civic engagement and activism. However, strategic planning and policymaking for young people have frequently been conducted without sufficient empirical data. Key questions regarding whether municipal youth policies align with national goals, how youth needs vary across regions, and where youth infrastructure is missing have often remained unanswered.
The platform of the Interactive Map of Youth Policy in Bulgaria was officially unveiled on International Youth Day (August 12) during a live-streamed event at the International Youth Center in Pernik, linking parallel initiative stages in over ten cities across Bulgaria. The initiative – titled “Where (How) Are the Young People?” – underscored the importance of data-driven advocacy, evidence-based policy creation, and equitable access to opportunities for youth regardless of their geographic location.
For Mundus Bulgaria, tools like the Interactive Youth Map are essential for building stronger civil society networks and advocating for structured, impactful youth work. By providing real data on where support is needed most, this interactive platform empowers organizations, youth leaders, and decision-makers to collaborate more effectively, align local initiatives with European standards, and ensure that every young person in Bulgaria has a voice and space to thrive.
Visit the Interactive Map of Youth Policy in Bulgaria Platform and discover the reality of youth work and youth policy in Bulgaria! Organisations even have the possibilities to customise the map in order to embed it into their website. For more information about this, reach out to the National Youth Forum (NMF)!
