The Cause

Project goal

Through training for personal development and career orientation, this project aims to empower high-performing students from grades 10 to 12 and first-year university students who lack parental care. 

An essential function of the project is to demonstrate to students and university attendees that their success is valued and that there are people who believe in their future. Additionally, the project’s on-site training will help foster a sense of community among participants – a community of successful young people. The project will also work to promote the importance of supporting this vulnerable group.

Beneficiary Profile  

  • Students from grades 10 to 12 without parental care
  • First-year university students without parental care
  • Eligible applicants may include those residing in institutions, or those who, after losing both parents, are under the guardianship of relatives or family friends (such as grandparents, siblings, other relatives, or non-family guardians)
  • Students living with foster parents


Selection Tools – Documentation:  

  • Candidate’s Introduction Questionnaire.
  • Written answer on the topic “How I would like to develop—professionally, personally”.
  • Copies of certificates, awards, and other achievements from training, competitions, sports, etc.
  • Official transcript from their school/university indicating academic performance.
  • Personal Data Declaration.

 

Communication campaign & channels

  • Informative email to schools in Bulgaria
  • Official email to all Regional Education Authorities requesting support in dissemination
  • Informative email to over 70 Centers for Family Accommodation for students without parental care
  • Social media 
  • Email outreach to over 200 media outlets—both national and regional
  • AIBEST channels

 

Timeline  

  • Nov 1, 2024 – Nov 30, 2024 | Donation and promotion campaign with motivational quotes from youth essays, real-life examples of the youth needing support   
  • Nov 30, 2024 – Dec 5, 2024 | Analysis and decision on final training format—number of participants and duration. 
  • Dec 5, 2024 | Contest announcement
  • Dec 5, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025 | Application period 
  • Jan 15, 2025 – Feb 15, 2025 | Jury review period 
  • Feb 17, 2025 | Announcement of participant list 
  • Jan 15, 2025 – June 30, 2025 | Organizational phase—discussions with applicants on travel, accommodation, specific needs, etc. 
  • April 12–21, 2025 for grades 10–11, April 17–21 for grade 12 | Training sessions
  • TBC| Official certificate award event (evening ceremony with an overnight stay)

A follow-up campaign promoting the achieved results through video and photo material will be held prior to the Easter holidays.