New generation

"New generation" is a local civil society organization, established in 2024 by a group of like-minded individuals from various professional backgrounds—public figures, teachers, architects, entrepreneurs, and former athletes. We operate in the Smolyan region—a mountainous border area where the lack of large cities and economic challenges create a deficit in access to non-formal education. Our primary mission is to create and provide opportunities for the comprehensive development of young people, youth workers, and informal leaders living and working in this area. We believe that high-quality, inclusive, and non-formal education is key for young people to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies for active participation in a democratic society and for a successful transition into the labor market. Our Mission • To create opportunities for non-formal education: We work to provide access to knowledge and skills in areas such as digital literacy, ecology, and healthy living. • To promote civic education: Our organization is strongly committed to the idea of active civic participation. Through our activities, we aim to stimulate people from small settlements to be more active in their local communities, to participate in decision-making processes, and to care for their common well-being. To date, we have successfully implemented two projects aimed at local informal leaders and youth workers. Through these, we managed to increase security in the use of digital tools among young people in rural areas, which is an important step towards the digital inclusion of the region. These projects were also our first step towards building a more active civic culture, as we provided participants with the tools to positively influence their communities. Goals of Our Organization General Goals: • To support the educational, professional, and personal development of people through lifelong learning, thereby contributing to sustainable growth, quality jobs, and social cohesion. • To encourage innovation, strengthen European identity, and promote active citizenship. Specific Goals: • To promote non-formal and informal learning, mobility, and active participation among young people. • To support intercultural dialogue and a sense of European belonging. • To develop the skills and attitudes of young people. • To strengthen European values and break down prejudices. • To raise awareness of socially relevant topics and thus stimulate engagement in society. Our organization is open to all young people, with a special focus on those with fewer opportunities who live in remote and low-income areas.