Camp Zaedno Napred (Together Forward) began in 2000 as a way for motivated Roma youth from throughout Bulgaria to build leadership skills, self-esteem, and to find ways to overcome the extreme cases of discrimination that many of them face. Since that time, over 240 Roma youth have participated in the camp. Many of these youth have gone on to start youth groups of their own, further their education, and to become more active members of their community. This summer, Foundation Napredak, a Bulgarian NGO which facilitates the camp, looks to do much of the same, selecting 40 Roma youth to participate in the eight day event. Also, eight former campers will return as leaders, giving them the opportunity to take on more responsibility and to give younger campers an exceptional example of a successful, responsible, and educated Roma youth.
Association Multiethnic Youth Organization Forward Together is a nongovernmental youth organization located in Pazardjik, Bulgaria. It was created from young people who were participants in the past summer camps of Napredak. This organization was initiated in 2008 because of a desire to continue communication between the participants and to implement and support positive youth activities. The Association’s main goal is to assist youth in Bulgaria with realizing their ideas and to create more space for themselves in the society. The most important goal of Multiethnic Youth Organization Forward Together is for the youth to develop critical thinking skills, and to formulate interest in what is happening in society.
