Areté Youth Foundation

Areté Youth Foundation is a non-profit organisation supporting high-potential Roma youth who are limited by social and economic barriers in Bulgaria and the Balkans.

They envision a Roma community of engaged citizens and positive role models who support each other to achieve educational, career, and personal success.

Their mission is to build sustainable social networks that encourage educational pursuits, instil a culture of giving back and promote mentorship.

The Areté Youth Foundation is proudly supported by the Trust for Social Achievement (TSA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by creating opportunities for Bulgaria's most disadvantaged citizens to achieve educational and economic success. They believe that obtaining higher education is key to increasing political participation and governance in Bulgaria for traditionally underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities. Their camp programmes include components focusing on the importance of higher education and the necessary steps to achieve it. They have also created an educational hub to connect Arete youth with scholarships, educational grants, and institutions seeking to diversify their student base. After graduation, many university students enter the private or public sector but face limited opportunities for professional development and continuous growth. Currently, the foundation focuses on initiatives that provide Roma professionals with opportunities to develop networks, acquire new skills, and find new job opportunities. The goal is to work closely with the private sector to encourage workplace diversity.

Areté Youth Foundation is a non-profit organisation supporting high-potential Roma youth who are limited by social and economic barriers in Bulgaria and the Balkans.

They envision a Roma community of engaged citizens and positive role models who support each other to achieve educational, career, and personal success.

Their mission is to build sustainable social networks that encourage educational pursuits, instil a culture of giving back and promote mentorship.

The Areté Youth Foundation is proudly supported by the Trust for Social Achievement (TSA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by creating opportunities for Bulgaria's most disadvantaged citizens to achieve educational and economic success. They believe that obtaining higher education is key to increasing political participation and governance in Bulgaria for traditionally underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities. Their camp programmes include components focusing on the importance of higher education and the necessary steps to achieve it. They have also created an educational hub to connect Arete youth with scholarships, educational grants, and institutions seeking to diversify their student base. After graduation, many university students enter the private or public sector but face limited opportunities for professional development and continuous growth. Currently, the foundation focuses on initiatives that provide Roma professionals with opportunities to develop networks, acquire new skills, and find new job opportunities. The goal is to work closely with the private sector to encourage workplace diversity.

The "UniYouth" programme aims to address social and economic disparities in Bulgarian society by supporting equitable access to quality education and employment for disadvantaged Roma youth.

The programme seeks to improve their educational, professional, and personal development opportunities. UniCredit Foundation selected it through the Call for Education initiative in 2022.

"UniYouth" specifically targets disadvantaged Roma youth aged 14 to 19, who face significant barriers to accessing education and employment. By providing targeted support, the programme helps these students overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

The programme is implemented in vocational high schools focusing on light industry, ecology, chemical technologies, and tourism across Bulgaria. It aims to reach students in areas where disparities are most pronounced.

UniYouth adopts a multidimensional, community-centred approach that extends beyond educational aspects. It involves collaboration with key community stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to students, enhancing both their academic and social development.

The "UniYouth" programme aims to address social and economic disparities in Bulgarian society by supporting equitable access to quality education and employment for disadvantaged Roma youth.

The programme seeks to improve their educational, professional, and personal development opportunities. UniCredit Foundation selected it through the Call for Education initiative in 2022.

"UniYouth" specifically targets disadvantaged Roma youth aged 14 to 19, who face significant barriers to accessing education and employment. By providing targeted support, the programme helps these students overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

The programme is implemented in vocational high schools focusing on light industry, ecology, chemical technologies, and tourism across Bulgaria. It aims to reach students in areas where disparities are most pronounced.

UniYouth adopts a multidimensional, community-centred approach that extends beyond educational aspects. It involves collaboration with key community stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to students, enhancing both their academic and social development.

One student at a Time:
Interview to Radostina Chaprazova

UniCredit Foundation is launching a new series of video clips to share with you all: ‘One student at a time - stories of educational empowerment’. Each episode tells, through the eyes of its protagonists, the story of a student whose life has changed thanks to the support of the organisations the Foundation supports. Each story is special and precious in its own way – underlining how the Foundation's investment in young people is a process that pays off in the long run.