Description of organisation

Association Bokaya was founded in September 2013 and is a youth organization operating in Vidin district, Bulgaria. Our cause is to work with sectors such as education, culture, sports and tourism, trying to be a link between NGOs, local authorities, business and citizens. The Association has set clear priorities in its work, based on the understanding that the development of a strong civil society is achieved through the active involvement of empowered and informed citizens in social processes and especially young people as representatives of the future generation. In implementing its initiatives, the team emphasizes democratic values and mechanisms that encourage individual participation and civic responsibility. The main goals and priorities of the Association Bokaya include:
• Supporting the development of democratic institutions;
• Clarifying policy, EU law, economics and social change;
• Youth support, training, qualification and retraining of the unemployed;
• Supporting youth initiatives, sports and cultural activities, information sharing activities and innovations;
• Development of educational programs, organization of symposia, seminars, trainings, workshops, consultations on various topics;
• Supporting the integration of young people in society and encouraging their initiative;
• Stimulating youth employment by providing help in finding a job;
• Supporting minority groups, elimination of all forms of discrimination; integration into society;
• Supporting cultural events, organizing forums, festivals and meetings in the field of culture;
• Encouraging the organization of entertainment programs, supporting the activities of music groups, ensembles, extracurricular activities, presentations;
• Stimulating the development of tourism, physical culture and activity, mass sports, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The main target group, to which the efforts of the association are directed, are the young people living in Vidin district. These people represent the future of our country and our goal is to prepare them as much as possible for their role as active citizens, supporting the local society with their actions. The association supports and supports disadvantaged young people - living in geographically isolated places, those who experience economic, cultural and / or social constraints, health problems and more. The inclusion of such persons in activities organized by the association is a priority, as in many cases the reasons for their disadvantage are an obstacle to their personal and professional development and by including them in various activities we will help to overcome some of the difficulties they experience.
The main activities that the association performs are aimed at the development of active youth civil society at the local and regional level. Some of them are related to the promotion of spiritual values, support for cultural and sports activities, work with young people to improve personal and civic competencies, volunteer activities, organizing and conducting trainings, supporting social integration and personal realization of people in need from care, protection of human rights and others.
Most of the activities initiated by the Association Bokaya are carried out within the Vidin district - Vidin and neighboring settlements. Focusing on a specific geographical area, the team of the association has an approach and method of working to the specifics of the local society, as well as a real idea of the needs of specific target groups for development.
The team of the association consists mainly of young people under the age of 35, who work to build an active civil society, to improve the quality of life among young people, to support and protect the interests of European youth, their awareness and personal and professional development labor market.
By acquiring a quality mark, we will be able to:
• to support the development of the local community;
• to get involved in solving socially significant problems;
• work for the development of young people in the EU and support the processes of building them as knowledgeable and capable individuals, able to meet the challenges of dynamically developing societies and the rapidly globalizing world.
In the field of volunteering, we hope to contribute to the development of European youth and, in particular, to work for:
• improved skills and competencies for personal, educational, social, civic, cultural and professional development;
• more active participation in democratic life and in society as a whole;
• increased employment and transition to the labor market;
• increased sense of initiative and entrepreneurship;
• increased self-government and self-esteem;
• improved foreign language competencies;
• enhanced intercultural awareness;
• better awareness of common EU values;
• increased motivation for further participation in volunteering activities.