Valentin Kehajov is chair of the youth NGO Young Researchers for Youth Development (YRYD). He works in the youth sector as a trainer and has many years of experience in various Erasmus+ projects. He graduated from higher education abroad, but returned to Bulgaria and formed his own youth informal group, which later grew into an NGO.
Valentin is also one of the participants in the Initiative to build the future generation of civic otganizations’ leaders. What motivated him to return to Bulgaria and create the association "Young Researchers for Youth Development" and how the Initiative helps make his dream come true, read in the following lines.
• Tell us what are you doing at „Young Researchers for Youth Development“.
The main activity of "Young Researchers for Youth Development" YRYD is related to the promotion of the methods of non-formal education in the town of Smolyan and the region. It aims to stimulate and educate a more awake and motivated society in our country. We started in 2015 and for that period we have over 10 different Erasmus+ projects implemented. They vary from civic to environmental activities, both locally and nationally. The participants in these projects are from the country and abroad.
One of our greatest achievements that we are so proud with is the youth center in the town of Smolyan, which me and my team created from the beginning. That's where we come together to share ideas and experiences. In addition to a training place, this is where the participants in the organization gather to learn and talk, play board games and have fun.
YRYD welcomes avery young person who wants to improve and develop her/his skills and competencies, who wants to travel, to rediscover thruths about her/him self and to enlarge her/his horizons.
• Why did you decide to take part in the Initiative?
YRYD is my top priority. I want what's best for me and my team and I'm looking for all sorts of means to get it. I recognize the Initiative as a trusted assistant in the task of educating true leaders of youth communities, as well as promoting a successful future partnership between young people with diverse interests.
The association includes a team of over 100 volunteers. We have excellent cooperation with all secondary schools in town, regional administrations, Municipality of Smolyan, Regional Chamber of Commerce - Smolyan, Community Center "Future Now", Association "Wings of Light" and the division of the Bulgarian Red Cross. The Initiative is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn how to synchronize the joint activities between all different structures, partners and stakeholders.
• What were you expectations when you joined the Initiative and did they come true?
With the promotion of the organization at the local level, I felt the need for like-minded people who are sufficiently trained and able to support our expansion at regional level, and in the future to grow to national and international level. I expected that the Initiative would help me improve the skills of my team. In fact, I notice a change in the pace of work and greater self-organizing. The quality of the tasks performed has also improved.
• What did you experience while being a part of this project?
I found true friends with whom I hope to work for the better future of Bulgaria.
• What did you find most useful from the Initiative?
I've definitely developed my strategic thinking. I learned how to coordinate more effectively the actions of the team and volunteers and to properly delegate the responsible tasks. It is now easier to find solutions to problems at the operational level, which has reduced problematic discussions between colleagues. The most important thing for me is that I already know how to motivate volunteers to be more purposeful, consistent and goal oriented.
• What is there ahead for you in the future?
The challenges we face every day make us increasingly ambitious. I can't hide that our targets aren't one or two. As the Association grows, we set new and new tasks.
A major driving force is the desire not to give up. We are fighting a fierce battle with different institutions, with the lack of empathy on the part of the state, with the bureaucracy... My personal dream is that one day things will happen more easily in this regard. What motivates me is to stand and fight for the benefit of young people, to support them, to create an environment for development. I strongly believe that they are the future of the country and their fervent dedication and creativity proves it.
The project "Initiative for building the future generation of civic leaders" is implemented with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA FM) 2014-2021, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.