Speak Up and Be Heard

The project “Speak Up and Be Heard: Youth Voices for Equality and Participation” aims to create a space for meaningful dialogue between young people from different communities in the Plovdiv region. It responds to the need for genuine youth participation, especially among Roma youth, in discussions on issues that directly affect them, such as equality, discrimination, access to education, and quality of life.

The project is implemented in partnership between the Foundation for Regional Development “Roma – Plovdiv” and Bilitis Foundation, bringing together local experience and national expertise. “Roma – Plovdiv” ensures access to local communities and engages participants, while Bilitis contributes extensive experience in inclusive education, empowerment of vulnerable groups, and the development of methodologies for equitable dialogue.

Within the project, a mixed group of young people (aged 16–23) from Plovdiv and nearby municipalities will be formed. They will participate in trainings on public speaking, critical thinking, and dialogue facilitation, developed and delivered with the involvement of experts from Bilitis. Through a series of public youth dialogues, participants will have the opportunity to express their views, build shared solutions, and engage with local institutions.

The project emphasizes the development of skills such as active listening, respect for diversity, and consensus-building. In the long term, it aims to create a sustainable network of young facilitators and a practical methodology for inclusive dialogue that can be applied in various educational and civic contexts.

The overall goal of the project is to empower young people from diverse communities to actively participate in public life through dialogue, collaboration, and shared decision-making. Through its activities, the project contributes to building a more inclusive, active, and engaged youth community in which every voice matters.

Specific objectives include:

• – developing skills for self-expression, critical thinking, and active listening among young people;
• – creating opportunities for intercultural dialogue between Roma and non-Roma youth;
• – building a network of trained youth facilitators;
• – encouraging youth participation in local decision-making processes.

To achieve these objectives, the project includes the following key activities:

• – Selection and training of youth – forming a group of participants and delivering trainings on communication, facilitation, and civic participation;
• – Methodology development – creating a handbook for inclusive intercultural dialogue based on local realities;
• – Youth dialogues “Voices That Are Heard” – organizing a series of public events in different municipalities, led by trained young people;
• – Formulation and presentation of proposals – developing concrete recommendations for local authorities;
• – Sustainability activities – organizing follow-up meetings “Pass It On” and promoting the model to a wider audience.