The government has allocated an additional 2,208,374 euros to the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for this year. The funds are earmarked for the Youth Centers Financing Program in Bulgaria, which covers the period 2026-2028, the government information service announced. The money will finance projects that have already been approved under the program.
The idea is for youth centers to be able to rely on long-term funding, while young people have equal opportunities to participate — regardless of whether they live in a large city or a small town. The program also focuses on including young people from vulnerable groups, and it encourages volunteering, youth initiatives and social entrepreneurship. It targets people aged 15 to 29, who make up the program's direct target group.
According to officials, the program is built on a vision for a unified and sustainable youth policy in the country. It is meant to be based on cooperation between different sectors and on joint governance with young people at the national, regional, district and municipal levels.
More than 1 million euros have been set aside for youth activities this year in the budget plan, said Minister of Youth and Sports Encho Keryazov. He made the statement during the second reading of the state budget for 2026 in late July.