FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Bulgaria
Address
13 N. Y. Vaptsarov streetCountry
City
RuseMobile Phone
+359896473079Telephone
-E-Mail (2)
projects@loesjebulgaria.comWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2020Contact Person1
Aleksandra LyutskanovaJob Title 1
PresidentContact Person 2
Mila PetrovaOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Democracy and community development, Environment/Sustainable development, Human rights, Media, Youth and educationGeneral Information
Loesje Bulgaria is a Non-Governmental organization, established in 2020, after a long and successful collaboration with other Loesje members. Our goal is to make international participation accessible for more young people, leading to raised awareness, improves essential soft skills, and a better understanding of European values. Through creative writing methods and non-formal education techniques, we aspire to improve the quality and opportunities for development in young people and youth workers on national, European, and International levels. We operate as an individual NGO, but we are also part of the international Network of organizations working in the spirit of Loesje, which is active for more than 20 years and is inspiring young people to be active citizens through its’ creative writing methodology We follow Loesje’s ideology for diversity, freedom of expression towards combating discrimination, hate speech, social and religious intolerance, promotion of human rights, equality, tolerance, active participation, social improvements, and employability.
We want to encourage more young people to join Erasmus+ projects and learn from the benefits of the program, thus creating a more diverse profile of the active European Youth.
Mission and Objectives
The Association promotes creativity, solidarity, and active citizenship among young people through educational, cultural, and community-based initiatives. One of its key activities is the creation of posters with positive messages using a special creative writing methodology developed by the youth group Luche International, founded in the Netherlands in 1983. These posters aim to inspire critical thinking and new perspectives, are distributed freely around the world, and translated into multiple languages. The core values guiding this work are solidarity, initiative, determination, and independence.
The Association supports the personal and civic development of young people by encouraging leadership, participation, and responsibility in social life. It organizes educational and creative activities such as seminars, workshops, projects, and team-building events that promote human rights, equality, gender balance, and social inclusion.
A major focus is raising awareness about the European Union and its policies. Through interactive and participatory approaches, the Association motivates young people to take an active role as European citizens and serves as a link for communication and feedback between citizens and the European Commission.
The organization also works to promote volunteering and solidarity, actively supporting programs such as the European Solidarity Corps (formerly the European Voluntary Service). By fostering cooperation and sharing of good practices, it contributes to the development of youth work and active citizenship both nationally and internationally.
To reduce inequalities between central and peripheral regions, the Association improves access to information about youth opportunities across villages, small towns, and regional centers. It builds networks for sharing knowledge and cooperation that connect community centers, schools, kindergartens, farmers, businesses, state institutions, and universities.
International collaboration is a key priority. The Association establishes and maintains partnerships with organizations and institutions across Europe and beyond, supporting the implementation of local, national, and international projects. It also helps organizations, local authorities, and businesses exchange experience and adopt best practices in personal and civic development.
Main Projects / Activities
Storytelling:
Loesje Bulgaria aims for a creative society based on initiative and active citizenship, where the individual is appreciated for their skills and talents.We use the unique Loesje creative writing methodology, which follows several steps incorporating storytelling and imagination to create posters with short but strong texts that shine a different light on a particular subject. As part of the Loesje Network we create such posters and use them as a method to express and exchange opinions. You can see the archive of posters in the official Loesje website: https://www.loesje.org/posterarchive/advanced
Youth Skills Empowerment:
Besides creative writing, we focus our work on empowering youth by developing their skills on the topics of inclusion, digital skills, advocacy, volunteering, non-violent communication, active communication and dialogue, employability, entrepreneurship and many more. Those projects allowed our team to work all around Europe and have accomplished a long list of valuable partners.
Sustainable living
Big part of our projects are on the topic of sustainability and mindful living. We implement eco-friendly practices in our daily work, and also organize nature friendly activities such as planting or cleaning, as well as give training on ways to live more sustainably.
Human Rights and active citizenship:
Following the Council of Europe’s strategy, we promote awareness of a European identity based on shared values and the inclusion of all members of society in our activities. We organize round tables, supporting youth to become active citizens and stand for what is right and important in their local communities.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
Our association is active in organizing of local and international initiatives.
We work with youth and adults, with students and teachers from school and university.
Our contribution to the network would be dissemination, spreading the values of Anna Lindh Foundation, strong partnership, qualified people and motivation to create and lead change.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
Our president, Aleksandra Lyutskanova, has collaborated with ALF for many years. We would like to be part of the network because it matches our values and interests. We want to expand our partnerships to the Mediterranean and increase our impact beyond Europe.