In June 2023, youth workers from different parts of Europe joined together in Cefalù, Sicily, for the Erasmus+ training course “Path Toward Reconciliation.” This international project was focused on conflict resolution, truth-telling, forgiveness, and intercultural communication. The participants came to learn how to create safe spaces where young people could speak openly, heal personal and collective wounds, and better understand each other. The training used workshops, group simulations, storytelling, and cultural activities to explore reconciliation as both a personal and social process. For the youth worker representing the Sevlievo Municipality in Bulgaria, this program brought important lessons and inspiration for local peacebuilding.
In May 2023, Bulgaria was experiencing growing social tension, especially between different ethnic and cultural groups. Many young people were feeling disconnected from their communities and each other. In small towns like Sevlievo, there were visible divisions between Bulgarian youth and Roma youth. Often, they went to the same schools but rarely talked or worked together. Misunderstandings and stereotypes were common. Racism and bullying were increasing, especially online. Young people lacked spaces to express their feelings, and many did not trust adults or institutions. Some youth felt invisible and hopeless. In schools and youth centers, there were very few programs that talked about emotions, respect, or cultural diversity. These problems were not always visible, but they affected many lives. Youth workers saw the need for new tools and methods to create connection and understanding.
The training in Cefalù gave the Bulgarian participant a new point of view. One of the most powerful parts of the training was the storytelling exercises. Participants shared personal stories of pain, forgiveness, and resilience. These stories came from different countries, but they had a common message: that reconciliation starts when people feel heard and seen. The session about restorative justice was also eye-opening. It showed how communities can repair harm through dialogue and shared responsibility. Youth workers from post-conflict countries shared how they created healing programs in areas affected by war or displacement. Another interesting moment was a workshop about cultural identity. Participants created maps of their life journeys and reflected on how culture shapes emotions and behaviors. These experiences helped the Bulgarian youth worker understand that reconciliation is not only about solving big conflicts. It is also about creating small daily changes in the way people relate to each other.
After coming back to Bulgaria, the participant from Sevlievo Municipality designed a local initiative called “Bridge Circles.” This project was inspired by the storytelling circles in Cefalù. The idea was to create regular group meetings where youth from different backgrounds could share personal stories, listen to each other, and talk about identity, trust, and change. The first step was to meet with school directors and community leaders to explain the idea and invite them to support it. The circles were held in libraries, youth clubs, and school halls. A simple structure was used: sitting in a circle, sharing one by one, and respecting the rule of listening without interrupting. Topics included family, tradition, friendship, dreams, and difficult moments. Trained youth workers helped guide the sessions with care and calm energy.
The results of “Bridge Circles” were emotional and strong. Young people who had never spoken to each other before started to build real connections. Many said it was the first time they felt safe to talk about personal problems like bullying or fear of rejection. Roma and Bulgarian youth began to work together on small projects like painting murals or cleaning public spaces. Teachers noticed improved group behavior and fewer conflicts. Some parents also joined a special version of the circle and said it helped them understand their children better. One school decided to make the circles a monthly activity and trained more staff to facilitate. Local newspapers wrote about the project, and other municipalities contacted Sevlievo to learn more. The project became not just an activity but a new approach to building peace through everyday conversations.
The experience in Sicily gave the youth worker more than tools. It gave courage and belief that young people can be leaders of change. In Bulgaria, peacebuilding is not often part of youth policy. But this project showed that change can start at the local level, through trust and cooperation. The training helped create a bridge between theory and action, between international learning and local solutions. It also helped build new friendships across borders, which continue to support the Bulgarian team through online exchanges and shared materials.
Looking ahead, the Sevlievo Municipality plans to expand the “Bridge Circles” project to reach more towns and villages. They want to create a youth-led team that will train new facilitators and collect stories to build a digital archive of reconciliation. They also plan to connect with schools of education to include reconciliation methods in teacher training. The long-term vision is to make these peacebuilding tools part of the national youth strategy, so every young person in Bulgaria has a chance to grow up in a culture of respect and healing.
This journey showed that reconciliation is not a one-time event. It is a daily practice of listening, reflecting, and acting with kindness. It is about changing hearts and systems together. The project “Path Toward Reconciliation” in Sicily was not only a training. It was a spark that lit a fire in many youth workers. In Bulgaria, that fire continues to grow—one story, one circle, one bridge at a time.