As part of the final and most action-oriented phase of the Inclusion Lab project—funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe—we successfully implemented a series of Bridge Builders Workshops in the towns of Razlog, Bansko, and Petrich. These workshops marked a key milestone, where the young participants of the project transitioned from learners to leaders, putting into practice the knowledge and skills they had gained throughout the six-month training cycle. After completing an intensive series of training modules focused on leadership, mental health, civic engagement, employability, entrepreneurship, and human rights, the group of 10 young participants—many of whom come from refugee backgrounds—stepped up to take ownership of real community impact.
The Bridge Builders Workshops were entirely youth-led. Each participant contributed to the planning, organization, and execution of activities tailored to the unique context and needs of their local communities. Whether in the streets of Petrich, the schools of Razlog, or the community spaces of Bansko, these young leaders worked tirelessly to engage their peers—both refugees and locals—in meaningful, inclusive ways.
The workshops featured a diverse range of formats: – Interactive discussions and peer-led seminars on topics such as inclusion, discrimination, and community solidarity
