On 29 April 2026, the first Civic Lab under the #CIVICAct project took place at Sofia Municipality, bringing together young people, institutional representatives, civil society organisations and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to civic engagement in Bulgaria.

The event was opened by Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev and moderated by Tsvetomir Petrov, Chair of the Sofia Municipal Council, and municipal councillor Tsvetelina Zarkin.

The discussions were based on the results of a survey exploring young people's attitudes towards civic participation and public engagement. The findings revealed that more than 55% of respondents believe that civic participation has limited influence on decision-making and governance. At the same time, over 70% of young people reported having participated in protests or demonstrations, demonstrating a strong willingness to engage in public life.
Participants identified several barriers to active participation, including a lack of trust in institutions, insufficient information about opportunities for involvement and limited support for civic initiatives. Despite these challenges, the discussions highlighted that young people are increasingly engaging through social causes, volunteering and initiatives with a positive social impact. For many, civic participation is not only a tool for change but also an opportunity for personal growth, skill development and community building.
A shared conclusion from the Civic Lab was that the future of civic engagement depends on stronger cooperation between generations and on the effective use of digital technologies. Participants also stressed the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in addressing the growing risks posed by disinformation.

Several practical ideas emerged during the discussions, including the creation of a unified volunteering platform, a monthly calendar of civic initiatives, stronger outreach through social media and improved coordination and access to information about participation opportunities.

The event demonstrated that Sofia has an active civic community and young people with a clear vision for the future. The next step is to transform these ideas into tangible policies and actions through continuous dialogue, partnership and cooperation between citizens and institutions.

The project is funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), CERV Programme.