Participation in the preparation of Bulgaria for accession to the European Union is a priority for the Municipality of Sliven. The Municipal European Integration Center, opened on 9 May 2000, is a visible demonstration of the municipality attitude and the first of its kind in Bulgaria. It was set up entirely with municipal own funds and constitutes part of the municipal administration.

Youth Euroforum for Sliven was created on 23 January 2002 on the initiative of the Municipal European Integration Center. A Memorandum for joint actions was signed between Sliven Municipal Council, municipal administration and youth organizations. The forum tries to meet the needs for understanding the European project by involving the local community in the public debate for the advantages and challenges of EU accession. The creation of local partnerships as the key to success involves dynamic interaction with young people, youth organizations and schools.

The most important feature of the forum is that together with sharing of opinions and making proposals in different spheres young people form working groups and take part in different activities as partners to the municipality. Working groups on Eurointegration, Culture, Education, Environment, Sport and Tourism, Combating crime, Social activities, Presenting Sliven and Radio Show were set up. Young people s knowledge and energy is directed to activities of public benefit.

Creativity, innovation and search for the European dimension of every activity underlies the forum philosophy. Participation is the guiding principle for its work. It is open to young people of 15 30. Students from the school euroclubs, debate clubs, the Youth Parliament and youth organizations are most actively involved. The forum sessions are thematic and conducted every three months. Working groups have different organizations depending on the specifics of the activity and participants attitudes.

The main results of the Euroforum s work are:

- Monthly Radio Show You and Me in partnership with Sliven Radio Center

- Action for cleaning of the monuments and green areas in the city

- Surveys among young people in partnership with the municipal Culture Department on the occasion of May Culture Days in Sliven.

- Training for young people at the European Union information centre

- Preparation of Europe days activities in Sliven, including a multimedia presentations United Europe in my World.

- Project preparation training during the Summer School at the House of Water

- Participation in initiatives of Sliven municipality s international partners.

The first completed initiatives of the Youth Euroforum show that young people have the potential to participate constructively in local initiatives and wish to be partners of the local government and local NGOs in implementing different initiatives.