On 21 October 2026, Varna University of Management (VUM) will host Youth Leadership Lab: 30 Years of Experience for the Future – an event that will give young people the opportunity to express their views on current issues, exchange perspectives, and work together to develop solutions to real challenges affecting the lives of young people in Varna.
The initiative aims to encourage young people’s active participation in public life and foster leadership skills, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.
A Space for Ideas, Debate, and New Perspectives
Youth Leadership Lab will bring together young people with diverse interests, experiences, and perspectives, offering them the opportunity to discuss current issues, share their opinions, and hear different viewpoints on topics that directly affect them.
As part of the event, participants will take part in discussions and work in teams to address a specific, real-life challenge related to the lives of young people in Varna. The goal is not only to identify existing challenges, but also to develop practical ideas for overcoming them.
Participants do not need to have a project already developed or previous experience in entrepreneurship. The focus is on active participation, the exchange of ideas, and collaborative problem-solving.
Working with Mentors and Presenting Ideas
Each team will work on the assigned challenge with the support of a mentor with extensive professional experience. Mentors will guide participants as they develop their ideas, help them look at the problem from different perspectives, and support them in formulating convincing proposals for addressing it.
At the end of the event, teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges, who will evaluate their proposals. Prizes will be awarded for the most impressive ideas.
In addition to the opportunity to develop solutions to real-world problems, young people will be able to make new connections, exchange experiences, and meet professionals from a variety of fields.
Who Can Participate?
Youth Leadership Lab is open to young people aged 16–30 who are currently enrolled in a secondary school or higher education institution in the Varna region. Participants must have a minimum English proficiency level of B2 and be willing to work in teams, share their views, and take part in discussions.
Date: 21 October 2026
Time: 14:00
Venue: Conference Hall, VUM – Varna
Registration: Places are limited. Those interested can register by completing the registration form: https://forms.gle/eJFhYQn2z4B2Nxce6
Youth Leadership Lab: 30 Years of Experience for the Future encourages young people to be active, express their views, and contribute to developing solutions that improve the communities and environments in which they live.
This initiative is implemented with the financial support of the Municipality of Varna.
