Goal
The initiative aims to contribute to the development of the next generation of civic leaders in Bulgaria. Leaders who have the knowledge and skills to work effectively in an environment of shrinking space for civil society and limited resources.
Problem
The initiative addresses the need for better prepared young leaders who can manage civic organizations and promote social change in the context of limited resources and growing societal challenges.
Activities
- A training program in four modules, each of which ends with a practical assignment;
- Online training and webinars;
- Mentoring and ongoing consultations with experts;
- Participation in the Alumni Club;
- Community building.
Who is behind the Initiative for Building a Future Generation of Civic Leaders
The project “Initiative for Building a Future Generation of Civic Leaders” is implemented by the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) 2014–2021, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Results
A total of 60 youth leaders from 50 different organizations from across the country were supported in the Initiative. All of them are dedicated to different causes – from ecology, to human rights, to supporting vulnerable groups and working with children.
Over a period of four years, divided into two groups of 30 participants, the youth leaders underwent a series of trainings to build organizational capacity and skills to address the challenges facing modern civil society. The youth improved their knowledge and practical skills in several areas:
- how to successfully identify the problems of the communities they work for and how to find effective solutions to address them;
- what are the working methods for attracting funds for causes and how to achieve financial sustainability of a civil society organization;
- how are processes managed in non-profit organizations and how important are human resources;
- what are the approaches to communicating conflict topics and how to work to change attitudes in society;
- how is the success of the work done measured and how are the next steps identified to build on what has been achieved.
The trainings were practically oriented, with each participant working with a personal mentor to improve the activities of the organization they represent. The mentors included in the Initiative are some of the most experienced experts in the non-governmental sector in our country.
The Initiative created a field for exchanging experience and building strategic partnerships between youth leaders to implement common causes.
Learn more from the Initiative’s website: csoleaders.frgi.bg
