On October 21, Varna University of Management (VUM) will bring together young people with ideas, energy and a desire to make a difference in the environment they live in.

As part of the “Youth Leadership Lab: 30 Years of Experience for the Future” initiative, high school students, university students, young professionals and representatives from different professional fields will work in teams on ideas for improving the lives of young people in Varna.

The event is part of the series of initiatives celebrating VUM’s 30th anniversary and has been designed as an interactive laboratory for developing and encouraging leadership, entrepreneurship, teamwork, public speaking and meaningful connections between young people and the business community.

Have an idea? Show us!

Registration to participate is now open.

Applicants will have the opportunity to present their idea in one of the following areas:

●            Innovative Technologies – software, artificial intelligence, hardware and digital products;

●            Social Impact – education, healthcare and sustainable communities;

●            Business and Sustainability – trade, services and the circular economy;

●            Culture – cultural and special events, initiatives and communities.

Your idea does not need to be a fully developed business or a ready-to-launch startup. You can also apply with a concept, a problem you would like to solve, or a solution that you are just beginning to develop.

What happens after registration?

Once applications close, participants will be placed into mixed teams, bringing together people with different educational and professional backgrounds.

Teams will not be formed based on schools, universities or age. The goal is for participants to meet people outside their usual circles and discover how different knowledge, skills, and perspectives can come together to create a shared solution.

 Before the event, teams will have the opportunity to communicate and start working on their ideas. They may also prepare additional materials to present and defend their idea more convincingly – such as research, surveys, interviews, presentations, visual materials and more.

On the day of the Youth Leadership Lab, each team will draw a specific problem that its idea must address. The challenges will be related to areas such as education, the environment, urban development, tourism infrastructure, culture and the arts, and others.

This means that participants will not simply present the idea they prepared in advance, but will have to demonstrate how they can adapt it to a specific problem and a real-world context.

Working with mentors

Each team will work with a mentor from business, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, culture and media, education, the non-governmental sector, or another professional field.

Mentors will help participants further develop their idea on the day of the event and turn it into a convincing proposal supported by:

●            a project concept;

●            a budget and potential funding opportunities;

●            a promotion plan and marketing strategy;

●            an implementation plan.

The Finale

At the end of the event, each team, with the support of its mentor, will have a limited amount of time to present its project to a jury made up of the participating mentors.

The event will conclude with an awards ceremony and an opportunity for networking among participants, mentors and guests.

Who can participate?

Young people aged 16–30 who have a minimum English language proficiency level of B2 and are active students at a Bulgarian secondary school or higher education institution located within the Municipality of Varna, as well as participants falling within the groups designated by the organizers for the event, may apply to participate.

Places are limited.

Registration is open until October 2.

If the number of applications exceeds the available places, participants will be selected through a preliminary selection process based on the information provided during registration, including the description and potential of their idea.

Therefore, take the time to tell us about your idea – it does not need to be perfect. We want to understand what problem you see, what solution you envision, and why you believe it could have a positive impact on young people in Varna.

📅 October 21

📍 Varna University of Management

Are you ready to turn your idea into action?

 👉 Register to participate here – https://forms.gle/GtRJ97uiZCLhrbm57

 Registrations are accepted until October 2.

 Youth Leadership Lab: 30 Years of Experience for the Future – experience that helps the next generation create the future.

This initiative is implemented with the financial support of the Municipality of Varna.