The main goal of the idea is to create a long-term impact in the field of active citizenship. The challenge our idea is to resolve/alleviate the sustainable social participation of local citizens, in areas affected by unemployment, depopulation, poor quality of education etc. in order to better their lives. This has been a problem in southern and west Bulgarian region since those areas often lack invest investment and modernisation to keep up with the nowadays standards for quality of life.

Bulgaria

Create a better understanding of the target groups and the challenges they are facing; empower them to be more active about civic participation; Advocate for community interests; Establish a better participation on behalf of citizens in policy making on local and national level; Long-term positive impact; Sustainable results. Engage in dialogue to ensure civic engagement.

The focus of the idea falls primarily on young people, minorities and these who lack or are unable to acquire proper education and knowledge on the topic of civic participation, democracy and the opportunity to express themselves in order to achieve a better quality of life. A recent study in Dolna Mitropolia shows that the most significant problems they are facing are linked to unemployment, low income, and low quality of education, access to healthcare and poor infrastructure. All of those issues could be addressed by the people if they have a better understanding how they, themselves can be a part of the change, by being able to express their opinions in a matter that will lead to a sustainable change through civic engagement.

Firstly, Know & Can Association will contact as many relevant stakeholders in the above mentioned areas. The second step will be to organise formal and informal classes, workshops and seminars ideally in schools and similar institutions, held by professionals to educate and transfer skills and knowledge to the target group of the idea. Those classes will focus on subjects such as civic participation, political engagement, principles of democracy, empowerment of the people, advocacy f interest etc.
The association can provide the services of volunteers, as well as professionals in the field of civic rights, to take part in the implementation of the idea, who can assist in the organizational, administrative and educational processes.
The idea will organise trainings in educational institutions which will focus on lifelong learning primarily, but not solely closed to young people, making sure it includes all the affected target groups.

The final outcome of the idea will be to create a sustainable, long-term society that will pass over skills and knowledge to future generations in that community. It will raise awareness to those issues in the selected areas by addressing them directly, emphasizing on the extremely poor state they are in and provide publicity in order to gain relevant partners and stakeholders who can invest in local public and/or private bodies in the mitigation of the most worrisome problems.

Through the workshops, classes and seminars, held alongside educational institutions and the local municipalities, the project will assist the people of affected communities in finding the most effective and applicable solutions to the problems they are facing such as unemployment, lack of adequate public services and how they can express their opinion in a way that could make a lasting impact. The project will use highly trained professionals to pass on relevant skills and knowledge about the field of civic rights and participation. It will work closely with educational institutions and public/private stakeholders in order to achieve optimal results.

Rumyana Shalamanova is the Chairwoman of the Association and a member of the Managers' Board since the foundation of the organisation. She is a trainer in non-formal education in the sphere of intellectual developing programs for children, youths and adults. She has affluent practice in working out, arranging, coordinating and holding seminars and events in the field of formal, informal and non-formal education. She has good managing and communicational skills and ability to work with people.
Natalia Shalamanova is an Expert programs and projects. She is responsible for the management, coordination and implementation of national and international projects. She has experience in working with children and youth - organizing and leading trainings and workshops.

Human resources (staff, trainers, local leaders): 14 500 000 EUR
Trainings (travel costs, accommodation, catering, materials): 6 500 EUR
Community events and partnership seminars (room rental, catering, materials): 4 500 EUR
Advocacy efforts (travel costs, catering): 2 000 EUR
Political forums (travel costs, room rental, catering, materials, streaming): 2 500 EUR
Indirect costs (office, print, overheads): 1 450 EUR

We are always on the look for great practices and ideas we can use to better the situation in our country and communities that need them. Any constructive feedback is always welcomed, because it will help up to develop our ideas furthermore and achieve more effective results.