“Hello there, my name is Mario and I am a young person from Shumen, seeking opportunities, personal development and looking forward to supporting the youth of my city!

After my graduation from high school in 2024 I decided to take the so-called “gap year” before applying for university abroad, because I knew there were still plenty of great opportunities waiting for me in Bulgaria.

My journey into volunteering and youth participation started with Podobri years ago. I got to know Peter, Monica and their amazing team! They found out about my intentions to get a gap year and they offered me something that gave me so much and that I am so thankful for – becoming a long-term European Solidarity Corps volunteer in the Podobri Foundation. With slow steps in August I was introduced to the team of international Podobri volunteers and the tasks I will take up when my ESC project starts. I got the honour of actively participating in the organisation of several events even before the actual start of my project and I also represented Podobri as a group leader of some local youngsters at the Youth Exchange “You can sit with me!” in Velenje, Slovenia.

After my return from that Erasmus+ Youth Exchange my ESC journey officially began! I got the chance to partake in numerous initiatives of Podobri and our partners and I also managed to organise my own personal projects with Podobri’s support! I am proud to say that my first personal project – the DemoErasmus+ One-Day Youth Exchange Simulation, was a real success. The title says it all: I gathered 20 young people from Shumen to experience a simulation of an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, implementing non-formal learning methods I had previously learned and practiced. The event turned out to be impactful and inspiring, and I am even happier that this project has now become a sustainable initiative – this autumn DemoErasmus+ will return, this time supported through the Eurodesk mechanism.

Another highlight of my year was witnessing the adoption of the Strategy for the Development of Youth in the Municipality of Shumen 2025–2030. Following this, I was invited to serve as a youth representative in several municipal committees connected to the Strategy – an invaluable experience that strengthened my role as a youth voice in local policy-making.

Throughout my entire project, I had the chance to collaborate with international volunteers and partners, which was both enlightening and rewarding.

Looking back, this year has been more than I could have ever expected: full of joy, personal enrichment, valuable skills, new knowledge, and meaningful social connections. I am deeply thankful to Peter, Monica, their team, and all the ESC volunteers of Podobri I had the chance to work with.

I proudly embrace Podobri’s cause “For a better environment with better people” as my own. Thanks to my journey in the Foundation, I have become more recognisable both locally and nationally, and I feel more motivated than ever to continue supporting the youth of Shumen.

Thank you, Podobri team! The work is not over, and I am ready to keep contributing to the future of young people in our community.”