Over the next two years, the National Youth Forum of Bulgaria will focus on the rights of young people. Lyubomir Drenski, member of the Management Board of the Forum, has pointed out that an analysis of the environment and the state of youth rights in Bulgaria has been planned and a map for guaranteeing the rights of youth is to be prepared. The forum unites 46 youth organizations from the country and the National Youth Forum is a full member of the European Youth Forum, as well as an active partner of national and European institutions in the implementation of youth policies.

One of the main missions of the Forum is to protect the interests of young people and the work program for the next two years provides for increasing the participation of young people in social processes. The idea is to provide them with a platform where public organizations stand up for their rights and needs. There will be work on partnerships with businesses to support young people in improving their skills. A partnership with the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria is also envisaged for the implementation of joint initiatives.

According to Miroslav Tsekov, chairman of the Board of the National Youth Forum, sustainable European policies are needed for young people and one of the big topics is a ban on unpaid traineeships across Europe. He also recalled the problem of the transition between education and employment, which often prevents young people from finding a job. We have prepared a draft declaration for the European Year of Youth and will send it to the National Assembly, Mr. Tsekov said. It contains principles concerning the youth, as well as the Forum's demands related to young people's problems.

In April this year, a national conference will be held to summarize young people's ideas for the future of Europe.