🇧🇬 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Bulgaria 🗳️ Democracy Camp 📰

Open call for young people aged 16 to 26 from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Romania and Ukraine to join the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Democracy Camp, a five-day intercultural exchange on democracy, media literacy, inclusion and Europe, taking place 26 to 30 August 2026 in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.

About the Exchange

A five-day intercultural youth exchange on democracy, media and inclusion. Its main aims are to inform young Europeans about their role in our democratic society and to directly involve them in the EU's policy-making process through the creation and dissemination of the Youth Participation Handbook. Two guiding questions run throughout: What participation tools are available to me? And how can I use them to foster an inclusive and fair media future in Europe?

How It Works

👥 Connects over 70 young people aged 16 to 26 from the partner countries

🌍 Identifies a wide variety of democratic best practices related to media and inclusion, in Bulgaria and internationally

🛠️ Advances your skills and competences relevant to political participation and running successful projects

📘 Main output: the Youth Participation Handbook 2026, co-authored by participants and sent to decision-makers, including Members of the European Parliament

Never done a Youth Exchange before? Here are 5 things you'll experience: https://youthworkshub.org/15116/

Activities

💻 Digital kick-off (28 July, 18:00 CEST): collect your ideas for topics and methods, and meet the others and the partner organisations

🏕️ The Democracy Camp (26 to 30 August): explore democracy and citizen participation across all countries represented, discuss concrete instruments and campaigns, and broaden participation skills, including visits to the Bulgarian parliament and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arbanassi

📤 After the Camp: publish your ideas in the Handbook and send it to decision-makers across Europe

Who Can Join

🆓 Participation is free of charge; the organisers cover all costs, including travel up to the limits below

🔞 Aged 16 to 26

🇬🇧 Comfortable speaking English for five days

📍 Currently living in one of the partner countries

👨‍👩‍👧 If you are a minor, you'll need a signed parental consent form (and a copy of a parent/guardian's EU ID or passport), and you'll always be accompanied by an adult

⭐ Applications from youth with fewer opportunities are given preference

Eligible Countries

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Accommodation

🏨 Sofia: Rila Hotel Sofia, in the city centre, for the first night (twin, triple and quadruple rooms with separate beds)

🌲 Veliko Tarnovo: Complex "Momina Krepost", on the city outskirts surrounded by nature, from day 2 until the end

Food & Travel

🥗 All meals provided, from snacks after lunch on 26 August to breakfast on 30 August; all meals are vegetarian for sustainability (note allergies and dietary preferences in the form)

✈️ Travel reimbursed up to €100 in total for participants living in Bulgaria, and up to €250 in total for participants from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Romania or Ukraine; second class/economy, with green travel prioritised

The Details

📍 Location: Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

🗓️ Dates: 26 to 30 August 2026 (plus a digital kick-off on 28 July)

👥 For: over 70 young people aged 16 to 26 from the partner countries

💶 Cost: free of charge; meals and accommodation provided; travel reimbursed up to €100 (Bulgaria) or €250 (other countries)

📘 Main output: the Youth Participation Handbook 2026

How to Apply

📝 Register via the info and application page (linked below) to join your country delegation. Questions can be sent to Alexandra at nadal@democracy-international.org or Zdravko at kostadinov@democracy-international.org