The training of the first participants from Popovo, Targovishte and Devnya in the Academy of Dreams was completed. On April 1 and 2, 2017, 30 young people and three managers participated in the latest training on "Communication, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership". The young people provided comprehensive feedback on what they learned and how the training passed. They plan to implement their own initiatives that are at a different stage of development. The team in Popovo is working on the idea of “Refresh” Youth Center. The team in Targovishte organizes a future consultation with the young people "Let's cancel the boredom". The team in Devnya works for the construction of the sports hall "Devnya multisport".

"We are very impressed by the desire and purposefulness that the three groups have shown over the two months," said Lyudmila Atanassova, who runs the programme. "We expect to be informed about everything that happens with their ideas, we will exchange information and look for opportunities for expert and financial support of their dreams."

Academy of Dreams is a long-term programme for civil and entrepreneurship culture for middle school students of the Rinker Entrepreneurship and Training Center at the BCause Foundation. It offers young people a motivation for personal development and the acquisition of skills needed for their realization - leadership, teamwork, communication skills and entrepreneurship. The trainers’ team is from the BCause Foundation and the "Future Now" community centre

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Summary of written feedback from the groups from Popovo, Targovishte and Devnya

  1. How will I remember these trainings?
•    What I will remember about these trainings is Devnya Multisport. If it wasn’t for them, perhaps, that idea would not have been realized so quickly. You have helped us make our dream come true!
•    I raised my self-esteem. I learned to express my position;
•    I grew up with a lot of knowledge in various fields such as entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, teamwork, even for the personality - my individual and the others;
•    With stories that illustrate what you were explaining to us, the teamwork that prompted me to think, talk to an almost unknown audience, and how much easier it was each time

2. What did I learn, which could be useful to me in the future?
•    I learned that being a leader is not just about commanding the others, but to sympathize and help them with the problems;
•    I have learned that we should always be able to express our opinion and not to stand in the corner unnoticed, unseen, with unspeakable thoughts and ideas. And you should not be ashamed of your opinion and thoughts;
•    I overcame my fear of speaking to people; I learned the difference between entrepreneur and employee, their pros and cons; How to work in a team and build something constructive with it;
•    Prove yourself in front of the audience does not bite. If I do not believe in myself, others would not stand behind me and would not trust me. Do not be influenced by the majority and freely express your opinion, even if others do not agree;
•    I learned how much easier and more enjoyable the team is, and the importance of the teams. The things I have learned about leadership, how important communication is and how I can tell about my idea and attract attention without bothering the audience that listens to me will also be useful;

3. What did I like more about my training?
•    I liked the fact that at the end of each training the organizers asked what remarks we had to correct them;
•    I liked that when you explained, you made it interesting and easy for us to learn;
•    That we had the chance to work in a team, we were united, we were not worried by anyone because we knew we were all equal. Among other things, I liked the fact that we let our dreams free
•    That trainers help you find the right path from idea to realization
•    I liked the most that new knowledge can be applied everywhere that we (students and teachers) together think and give ideas and, most importantly, always give examples
•    I liked that there were games that were proof of what we were talking about. During the second training, when we talked about communication and how important it was, we did the giraffe and painting game. Or the moon game that showed us how much easier it is to handle with things if you had a team.

4. What would I change in training or do in other way?
•    More exercise for teamwork and organizational skills not only in city groups but mixed.
•    I would also give individual tasks for participants with little activity to challenge them to take part in the discussion
•    I would include more games in which not only to separate in teams, but where we have the opportunity to work with everyone;
•    More attention to speaking to the audience and presenting the projects to the public;
•    Greater presence of competitive spirit;

5. What's next? The young people are determined to continue with their initiatives:

The team in Popovo for the idea of Refresh Youth Center:

We will continue to work on the project, we will not give up and I am sure that sooner or later our idea will be a fact.
We have to complete the individual tasks within the team with specific deadlines - promoting the idea and meeting-talks with mayor, Rotary-club, businessmen.

The team in Targovishte for the initiative to consult the young people "Let's cancel the boredom" in Targovishte:

In my opinion, our idea is completely feasible and would be a success, as it will be useful for the city. People will have the right to express themselves, their personal opinion on city issues, and their opinion has a great opportunity to be taken into consideration, and if one likes an idea, it can be realized. It will be interesting for both young and adults.

The team at Devnya for Devnya multiport sports hall:

There will be a sports hall! It will exist long after its construction, because the interest in it will be present. For the youth of the city it is a better atmosphere, a healthier lifestyle, a more popular city.

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