Banya, August 22-24, 2022
Together with 14 young people from Blagoevgrad, Dupnitsa and Sofia, we worked on implementation of two campaigns - in Blagoevgrad and Dupnitsa - to support vulnerable communities and improve young people's access to SRH information and services. The main topics of the training focused on advocacy skills, organizing and conducting local campaigns and how to use “photovoice” method. Examples of already developed campaigns from the previous training in Dolna Banya were also presented. The idea was to involve new participants in various activities in different locations, as well as to connect young people to help and learn from each other in the process of preparing and implementing advocacy campaigns.
The young people with the help of the health mediators, defined as a problem the poor access to information and health services, ensuring a healthy and fulfilling way of life for the young people from the Roma community in Blagoevgrad. They have the ambition to contribute for raising the public awareness towards these problems in Blagoevgrad, and also to draw the attention of the institutions to the problem.
Problems valid for the entire population were discussed such as the lack of 24 hours working pharmacy in both locations. Our young volunteers will use the so called "photovoice" method, and then they will prepare an exhibition. Many of the participants in the seminar have a strong interest in the field of visual arts, which will contribute to the quality of presentation of the project results.
Limited access to psychological support and mental health services for young people is another issue that emerged from the research carried out by the “Youth Voices, Youth Choices” project. The workshop participants also confirmed that it is important and necessary that the workshop participants see beyond the local campaigns. They believe that it is worth working on accessible psychological support and help.
During our conversation about advocacy, campaigns and changing the environment, we noticed that the young people from Dupnitsa, Sofia and Blagoevgrad are gradually coming together as one team.
#YVYC supported by #MSDForMothers
#BFPA #BASP #wecareforthefuture
