site.btaBulgaria Has Invested over EUR 50 Mln in Youth over Past Decade - Deputy Youth and Sports Minister

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Petar Mladenov said that over the past decade, Bulgaria has invested more than EUR 50 million in young people, with half of that sum spent in just the past four years to establish 27 youth centres. He addressed the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, titled "Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action", held in Valletta, Malta, the Youth and Sports Ministry said on Friday.

"By 2029, we aim to open the first Balkan Youth Centre, a symbol of regional cooperation and shared democratic values. This ambition can only be achieved with  support from our partners from the Western Balkans," Mladenov said.

He also highlighted the role of young people as active participants in public life. "Youth participation should not be seen as a challenge but as an opportunity, an innovative driver of creativity, economic growth and social progress," Mladenov added.

On the sidelines of the conference, Mladenov held a bilateral meeting with Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.

The conference in Valletta was organized under the Maltese Presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.