Background

The local authorities in the region began working with young people ever since the creation of the Regional Association of Municipalities "Maritza". Initially the initiatives in that direction were incidental, following concrete events or arising needs. A complete concept for the work with young people was developed later though, at the time when the Regional Youth Initiatives Section at the Association was founded.

Practice

The youth section created included predominantly young specialists, working at the municipal administrations, in governmental structures and in NGOs. Pupils and students, who have shown interest in the problems of local authorities, participate in the work of the youth section. The section has made it its aim to work for the development of competent, enterprising young people with civic attitude, who would be real partners of local authorities in their efforts for the development of municipalities. The subsidiary goals the organization aims at are: to improve young people s awareness, to improve young specialists professional qualification, to consolidate and coordinate the efforts towards the improvement of the social environment and the successful realization of the youths in the region.

The activities within the projects financed by the Association and approved in a three round selection process are already a fact. They are as follows:
- I am young, I am here, I will help you , submitted by the young specialists from the Municipality of Ivaylovgrad.
- Face to face or Local authorities and young people in the Municipality of Simeonovgrad.
- School in Democracy of the Center for Work with Children and Youth Haskovo.

The projects developed, selected and realized by the young people themselves, showed good results. The fourth round of the selection of youth projects which has to be accomplished until the middle of June, was expected eagerly. The projects were directed mainly towards young people s involvement in municipal work and towards overcoming their alienation from the problems of society. These activities improved the communication and social skills of and provoked the activity of a heterogeneous circle of young people, who regardless of the fact that they lived within on a common territory, did not know their similar problems as well as the opportunities for professional and personal realization. Their inclusion in the Regional Section Youth Initiatives was a real opportunity for them to learn more about the local authorities, the governmental institutions and the problems of the community, to make more contacts and to discuss joint initiatives. At the section young people obtained knowledge, skills and more information.

The long-term training in the area of project preparation and successful presentation of project initiatives is an instrument in their hands that they could use in the future, regardless of the place or the way they will continue their own realization. Making new contacts and getting more detailed information, they know when and on what matters they could refer to the most competent agencies and specialists. On the other hand, the acquired technical skills will help them, especially young municipal employees, to cope successfully with their official duties.

The round table organized by RAM Maritsa on the subject of Young people's realization - a challenge, priority or mined zone was an opportunity for direct dialogue between the representatives of local authorities from the region and the pupils from several schools in the district. The objective of the initiative was to start a useful dialogue between local authorities, youths and business, on the creation of optimal environment for the realization of young people. The discussion of the opportunities for assistance for youth initiatives and the generation of ideas for joint solution of youth problems laid the foundations of transforming of young people into active citizens of democratic society.

The close analysis and the good work in the work groups will help not only the Association but also its member municipalities to plan adequately their future youth initiatives and to respond in time to the real needs of young people.

Results

Four years have passed since RAM Maritza has begun its activity as a representative of local self-government and with the active support of municipalities, trying to reduce the distance between local authorities and youth. Putting great efforts in that direction , the Association has achieved results with variable success, because of the fluctuation of labor among young specialists, but the team acts with the firm belief that working with young people means working for the successful future of the municipalities.