In April 2016 “The Change Begins from Us” project was successfully completed. It was jointly developed and implemented by the Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation in partnership with C.E.G.A. Foundation (NGO specialized in Roma integration projects) with the active support of Zlatna Panega Cement AD. The project received grant funding through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area. Main objectives of the project were promoting active citizenship, volunteering, and participation of young people in activities of social value.

To meet these goals, youths with leadership qualities from the Oreshene, Zlatna Panega and Brestnitsa villages in Yablanitsa Municipality were selected. They formed three action groups (one group for each of the three villages). Each group had to discuss, select, plan and execute its own project idea which was going to affect positively a huge part of the local community. The participants have undergone various training, led by youth development experts, aiming to develop skills which allow them to work effectively in a team on projects in benefit of the community, to recruit more volunteers for their cause and to gain knowledge about public organizations and their role.

The project ideas developed by the youth groups were: building an outdoor fitness in the village of Oreshene, renovating the playground in the village of Zlatna Panega, cleaning, cultivating and fencing the park in Brestnitsa.

To complete their project, the initiative group and their volunteers in Oreshene village chose an appropriate area for the outdoor fitness, bought fitness facility after reviewing several offers, removed old equipment from the site, which was afterwards concreted and carpeted with extra sand donated by Zlatna Panega Cement AD.

The group from Zlatna Panega village purchased new equipment for the playground and the old one was repainted by the youths and the volunteers they had attracted for their cause.

The park in Brestnitsa village was completely cleaned and cultivated. Fencing elements were purchased and installed.

These projects met the approval and support of both - the mayors of the three villages and the informal groups in them.

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