In May 2024, an Erasmus+ project titled “Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective” took place in Prague, Czech Republic. Youth workers from different countries came together to explore how cultural heritage can be preserved in ways that also support sustainable development. Organized around global exchange, project-based learning, and hands-on activities, the training aimed to empower youth workers with new knowledge and tools. The main focus was not just to protect cultural history but to use it as a foundation for building stronger, more inclusive, and environmentally responsible communities. The experience gave participants the opportunity to connect cultural identity with long-term sustainability goals and inspired them to bring meaningful change to their local areas.
In Bulgaria, cultural heritage has always been a source of national pride. From ancient ruins to traditional crafts and folklore, the country holds a rich history that speaks to its deep roots and diverse identity. However, in recent years, many communities have seen a decline in engagement with this heritage. Young people are often disconnected from local traditions, and many cultural sites suffer from poor maintenance or are ignored entirely. Rapid urban development, environmental degradation, and limited funding for preservation projects add to the problem. Before the training in Prague, the NGO Mladezhda had already started working with young people in small towns to explore ways to reconnect them with local history. But something was missing—a clear link between the old and the new, between past traditions and future needs. The organization wanted to find a way to make cultural heritage feel relevant to today’s youth while promoting sustainable values.
The training in Prague came at the perfect moment. It introduced a new and exciting way to look at heritage—not only as something to protect but as something that can grow. The workshops focused on how cultural sites, crafts, and customs can support sustainable tourism, environmental protection, and local economic development. One of the most eye-opening sessions was a group activity where participants created project ideas that linked heritage to sustainability. Teams came up with proposals like eco-friendly restoration of monuments, community gardens near historical sites, and educational tours led by young locals. Another powerful moment was a visit to a community-run heritage center where locals and volunteers had worked together to save an old building and turn it into a cultural hub. This example showed how cooperation and creativity can bring life back to forgotten places and build a sense of community.
The youth worker from Mladezhda returned to Bulgaria full of ideas. Together with their team, they created a new project called “Roots for the Future.” The goal was to involve young people in identifying cultural heritage elements in their towns and villages and then find ways to connect them to sustainable practices. The project began with heritage walks where young people explored local stories, buildings, and traditions. They interviewed elders, took photos, and documented traditional recipes and crafts. Then, through workshops, they learned how to use this information to develop community projects. Some planned to organize small eco-festivals that celebrated local history while using recyclable materials. Others created online maps of forgotten sites, linking them to environmental clean-up efforts or walking routes for tourists.
The results were inspiring. Young people began to see their hometowns with fresh eyes. Instead of seeing only old ruins or fading memories, they started to recognize value and possibility. In one village, students designed a small exhibition about their area’s stone carving traditions and linked it to a workshop on sustainable building materials. In another town, a youth group cleaned an abandoned church and turned the space into a venue for cultural and environmental education. Local governments became interested in these activities and began offering small grants or spaces for the projects. Teachers and parents noticed that students who joined the project were more motivated in school and more active in their communities.
“Roots for the Future” also helped Mladezhda grow. The organization received media attention and invitations to share the project in regional forums. The youth worker who attended the Prague training was invited to speak at a national conference on cultural preservation, where they presented the project as an example of how Erasmus+ learning can turn into local action. The network created during the training also continued to grow, and Mladezhda partnered with youth organizations from other countries to plan joint activities for the future. This international exchange made young people feel connected to something larger—a European movement that values history, sustainability, and youth participation.
The training in Prague changed more than just ideas—it changed perspectives. It showed that young people do not need to choose between tradition and innovation. They can honor their roots while creating new paths forward. Heritage is not only about the past; it is also about identity, pride, and community. When combined with sustainability, it becomes a tool for empowerment and future-building. The experience taught the youth worker that cultural heritage can live not only in museums or textbooks, but in the actions of young people who choose to care, create, and lead.
Looking ahead, Mladezhda plans to expand “Roots for the Future” to more towns and involve students in schools through formal and non-formal education. There is a growing interest from municipalities, educators, and even tourism offices. The team also hopes to develop a toolkit that other youth workers can use to connect heritage and sustainability in their regions. The long-term vision is a Bulgaria where young people are guardians of history and drivers of change—where old walls are not forgotten but are given new meaning, and where the next generation learns to build with both memory and hope.
Through one training in Prague, a door was opened. And through that door, a new kind of future began to take shape—one rooted in respect, powered by creativity, and led by youth.