News

25 June 2026

Ombudswoman Velislava Delcheva participated in the closing conference of the Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance and UNICEF Bulgaria, organised under the UPSHIFT programme “Ideas in Action – A Story of Change.” The forum was held under the slogan "The Journey of Youth Teams—From Idea to Real Change in Society."

In her welcome address to the participants, Delcheva expressed her gratitude for the invitation and stressed the importance of such initiatives, which encourage young people to actively participate in public life.

“For me, participating in events like this isn’t just a duty as Ombudsman. It’s a calling and a source of personal fulfillment. Every time I have the opportunity to stand by a young person and help them on their journey, I do so with a great sense of responsibility and inspiration,” she said.

The Ombudsman noted that she never declined invitations from schools, students, and young people because she believed that supporting the younger generation was an investment in the future of society.

In her speech, she drew a parallel between young people’s ideas and the process of bringing them to fruition—from the initial concept to the actual change they achieve through their activism, commitment, and perseverance.

Velislava Delcheva expressed her appreciation for the large number of participants in the initiative and extended special thanks to the Amalipe Center for its consistent work over the past 24 years in support of young people.

“A moment ago, my gaze fell on one of the photos in the hall. I saw four children growing up—from small to big—and heading toward the outer space. In this, I see a symbol of growth, dreams, and the opportunities that lie ahead for young people. I wish this project, the Amalipe Center, and all the young people here today every success in reaching outer space,” the Ombudsman concluded.

The conference brought together teams of young people from various towns and villages across the country, who presented initiatives they had carried out and best practices for civic engagement, social inclusion, and positive change in their local communities.

The young participants’ projects, aimed at addressing real challenges in school settings and local communities, clearly demonstrate that when students work on topics that matter to them, they develop skills in teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement. In addition, they create effective solutions that have a positive impact on the environment in which they live and learn, turning their ideas into real change.