Seventh stakeholders meeting under the Rural Youth Future project
On the 27th of May 2026, the seventh stakeholders’ meeting within the frame of the Rural Youth Future project (Improving the role of youth policies for rural sustainable development), co-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme 2021-2027, took place in Peshtera, Bulgaria. The event was organized by the Association “Centre for Sustainability and Economic Growth” and hosted by the Municipality of Peshtera.
The meeting gathered various stakeholders at a local and regional level, including: representatives from the administration of Peshtera, and neighbour municipalities Bratsigovo and Pazardzhik, the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardjik – REAP, a number of representatives from the educational sector, the SMEs’ association (NEST) and several members of other local NGOs.
Focus was directed towards the recently established Municipal Youth Centre and the potential for adopting effective strategies and good practices from other remote rural EU regions. This centre aims primarily to enhance young people’s educational and social engagement. Peshtera Municipality’s key priority is to grow the centre’s operations by integrating STEM and ICT initiatives aimed at youth.
The recently integrated policy improvements, particularly their significance for local youths’ sustainable growth and career orientation, received special attention. The Youth Centre in Peshtera now offers diverse opportunities for activities based on STEM, that contribute to the improvement of young people’s knowledge and skills in science and ICT.
The event concluded with an open discussion about the implementation of technical studies, such as science, engineering and mathematics, which would simultaneously support both the local youth and the local business, aligning the courses available at the Youth Centre with the needs of the labor market.
