"The Change is in You" Association

“The Change is in You” association has been established to support the youngsters who are willing to broaden their horizons and make an actual change in their own societies by using and implementing what they have learnt from all around the world. Since the registration of the association (06.10.2014), we have been officially partnering (or organizing) in more than 250 projects and initiatives of any kind. Since then, our hard and consistent work in the field of formal and non-formal education led us to a new success of our work – to be part of a group from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and Education, developing a strategy for supporting the personal development of young people in the frame of the formal educational system. Also, we have a main role in the establishment and work of the youth strategy in our municipality as well as leading position in the Youth affairs commission in Tryavna. We are an umbrella organisation of the following institutions and organisations: Tryavna Rehabilitation and Social Integration Centre, “Kalina” kindergarten, “Svetlina” kindergarten, High School of Fine Arts – Tryavna, “Prof. P. N. Raykov” Elementary school, “P. R. Slaveykov” Secondary school, Vello club – Tryavna, „Future World” Association, „Waldorf education - Veliko Tarnovo” Association, Basketball club “Zograf”, Athletics Sports Club “Hammer”, Karate sports club „Hikari”. Also, we are the founding NGO of the Network of Organizations “The Change is in You” – International. At the present moment we are opening 2 branches in Bulgaria (Sofia and Razlog), in Torino (Italy), Avignon (France), Riga (Latvia), Bucharest (Romania), Viljandi (Estonia) and in the nearest future in Croatia, Cyprus, Serbia, Germany and Hungary. Our main goal is to create the bridge between formal, informal and non-formal education as well as the bridge between governmental institutions, business and society. Our idea is via using non-formal methods and approaches to promote volunteering services and informal education as a tool for motivating youngsters to study harder and be more open-minded towards different cultures, religions, genders, nationalities, etc. Main objectives of the organization: *Help the development of the civil society and incorporation of young people into its democratic values and principles. *Stimulate the unrestricted exchange of ideas and information, intellectual values and models of cooperation. *Promote outdoor activities and healthy lifestyle. *Promote entrepreneurial and business models. *Promote quality education, social help and qualification of young people. *Promote rural development through social entrepreneurship and active citizenship. *Prevent and react against the negative phenomena amongst young people (youth crime, drug addiction, prostitution, racism, xenophobia, etc.). *Help integration and socialization of people with disabilities, ethnic minority groups and young people in the lowest income bracket. *Offer social favour to society. *Stand up for the values of the civil society. *Introduce new programs and models of human communication and relationships. *Partner and cooperate with local authorities, organizations and institutions connected with young people. *Give access of young people to modern achievements and information technologies. * Encourage wider participation of local community in education development and youth work. *Popularize European and local volunteering.