Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED)

Laws Concerning Youth in Bulgaria

Laws Concerning Youth in Bulgaria

For the past 20 years the Youth community in Bulgaria has been characterized by dynamic change. People, who are categorized as youths, formed their core values during the transition from a totalitarian regime to democratic society, from a closed system to a market oriented system.


The Bulgarian National Youth Policy is focused with coherent activity by the state, municipalities, youth organizations and the society. It aims to establish favorable conditions for the full personal development of young people and their participation in social and economic life as well as the integration of the young in the decision making process at a local, regional and national level through activities promoting their development in the applicable country.

The most common desire among young people seems to be striving for independence and self-realization -being able to make individual decisions and having an individual approach to life. Studies show that while the psychological independence of young people in our country is growing stronger, their social and economic dependence on family is still a lot stronger. Over the past decade activities of young people have radically shifted - from public and political life to the private sector of the economy. However, recent elections for members of the European and national parliament have shown initiative in youth civic and electoral participation, demonstrating the will for change and therefore becoming a clear concern for the European Development of Bulgaria.

 

 2012

  • Youth law
    Following the program of the Declaration of the Government of the European Development in Bulgaria
    2009 - 2013, a working group in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science was established and Country sheet on youth policy in Bulgaria drew a Youth Law. The Youth Law is aimed at the lasting settlement of public relationships in the area of youth. It outlines the main principles, planning and management of national youth policy in Bulgaria. The drafting of the Law was preceded by a comprehensive in-depth study and analysis of European legislation in the area of youth as well as of the national needs for sustainable mechanisms for specialized support of young people’s development.
  • Draft Implementation Plan of the National Youth Strategy 2010 - 2020
    The Implementation Plan has the vision to summarize and coordinate the activities, programs and tasks so that a supportive environment for quality professional development can be established, thus facilitating access to quality services for special support for the full personal and social development in accordance with the needs and interests of the young people in Bulgaria. The Implementation Plan also envisages the establishment of a supportive and encouraging environment for a meaningful participation in the intercultural and the international youth interaction as well as the development of youth volunteering and the prevention of social exclusion. The Action Plan envisages the implementation of the strategic and the operational objectives set by the National Youth Strategy 2010-2020 as well as aiming to improve the living standards of young people.

2011

  • National Youth Strategy 2010-2020
    The strategy is focused on the building and implementing of a unified, consistent and sustainable, youth policy in Bulgaria based on the sectoral approach, intersectoral cooperation and co-management with the young people at a local, regional and national level. The National Youth Strategy 2010-2020 is aimed at young people aged 15 to 29 and it is prepared in accordance with the international and European standards for youth work.
  • Implementation Plan of the National Youth Strategy 2010 - 2020
    The first Action plan 2011 for the implementation of the National Youth Strategy (2010-2020) was developed and subsequently adopted by the Council of Ministers Decision from 29th June. The Action plan for
    2011 outlines the main responsibilities of all involved institutions as well as the investments made at local, regional and national level that were aimed at young people (both those that are already being implemented and those that are to be realized by the end of 2011). The Plan includes tasks and activities in nine priority areas. The Common financial framework of the plan is estimated at 259 105 057 lv. The three top priority areas for financing for 2011 are “Promotion of the economic activity and career development of young people” (207 961 391 lv.), „Improving the access to information and quality services” (24 523 694 lv.) and „Development of the intercultural and international dialogue” (20 068 780 lv.).

1995

  • Higher Education Act
    The 1995 Higher Education Act recognized private institutions in the higher education system. This recognition came after private universities were already established. Moreover, private universities were recognized as institutions that would have different structures and modes of operation.