Burgas has picked its "president and vice president" pair for the final of a national school simulation of the presidency. A girl and a boy, chosen in a run-off vote, will play the roles, said Ivaylo Madzharov of the Active Policies association.

The project is called "Young People in the Shoes of the Presidency: an educational simulation of democracy in action". More than 300 people from across Bulgaria took part in regional rounds in Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, Varna, Burgas and Targovishte. The audience in Burgas numbered more than 50.

The association wants young people to understand what the presidency does and why voting matters. The idea began a year and a half before the presidential election.

Training came first, before the regional rounds. Participants learned about the history of the office, past presidents, the powers of the president and vice president, and the best-known cases in which the office has stepped in.

In the simulation itself, students playing the president and vice president make decisions, and their peers in the audience vote on them. The cases are made up: a meeting of the Consultative National Security Council, or a veto on a particular investment property in Bulgaria.

Other participants play journalists. They put tough questions to the "presidents" and "vice presidents" to put them under pressure.

Madzharov said the participants prepared well and coped with the regional rounds, including the "journalists'" questions. Those who have turned 18 said they will vote in the coming election.

"I hope they have formed an informed opinion and won't just vote on likes and dislikes, because that is exactly what we are fighting for – voting based on an informed choice," Madzharov said.

He believes civic education classes in their current form are not enough. There is no time for all the material, for practical simulations and for building civic awareness. The subject is taught only in 11th and 12th grade, one hour a week, "which is quite insufficient, far too insufficient", Madzharov told Bulgarian National Radio.

The association wants the classes introduced in lower grades as well, and at least two a week.

Ivaylo Madzharov of the Active Policies association was a guest in our studio on 14 October, when he presented the "Young People in the Shoes of the Presidency" project. The conversation covered whether young people will vote and where they can learn more about the office.

At the final, the pairs from all regions will meet in one place, and the winner will again be chosen by a vote.