The "Podobri" foundation focuses on working with young people and creating a better environment for personal and professional development, through volunteering.
"Podobri" Foundation is a non-government organization established in 2017 in Shumen, Bulgaria. We are a team of young people looking for solutions to various societal problems using creative and sustainable approaches. Our mission is to create a better environment for the youth.
We strive to accomplish our mission through:
- innovation
- sustainability
- youth development
- place-making
- entrepreneurship
- civic activity
We have experience working on projects at local, national and international levels. We are working with more than 120 youngsters, 4 schools and one university. We work in close partnership with Youth Municipality Council and Shumen Municipality.
//ERASMUS+
Our foundation has been a partner in various Erasmus+ projects facilitating youth mobility, collaboration and non-formal education. As we mentioned above we have a pool of 120+ youngsters that we actively work with. In 2022, the "Podobri" Foundation sent over 25 young people to various partner projects throughout Europe under the Erasmus+ program.
The project "Employ my abilities" took place in Liepāja, Latvia with 35 participants from 6 countries and was related to the youth development in their quest to search and find a dream profession, as well as to successfully enter the labor market.
Another youth exchange we partnered in was "Green vibes only" in Velenje, Slovenia with 30 participants from 6 countries, out of which 6 were sent by our organization. The project’s main topics were ecology-related problems and solutions for a greener future.
Our latest international project was a training course on the topic "What the f*** is youth work?", which took place in Sarajki, Latvia and was aimed at active young people and youth workers who want to go deeper into the field of youth work. 30 participants from 7 countries took part in the training. We facilitated the participation of 5 youngsters from Bulgaria.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/ tsvetove_za_zhivot/
//EURODESK POINT
We are an official EURODESK point for Bulgaria and as such we actively disseminate information on education and youth mobility. The role of Podobri Foundation as a Eurodesk point is to deliver this information at the local level, to help and support young people in their desire to participate in the mobility programs.
//LOCAL PROJECTS
We have developed numerous local projects aiming to make our town a better place while engaging the youth in the process. Here are some of our projects in the field of:
PLACE-MAKING AND CIVIC ACTIVITY
"Shumen ART Tunnel" is our project for a creative and functional "open gallery" that is designed to exhibit the art of young artists. Our goal is to bring the "more unpretentious" art to the people by giving a platform and freedom to young artists to express themselves and exhibit their art. This open gallery is also intended for all local art schools, public schools, university and institutions. We have their assurance of support and care of the space and readiness to fill it up with value.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/art-tunnel-shumen/
"Youth Sphere" is a place-making project that Podobri foundation is one of the initiators and main partners of. The “Youth sphere” is an alternative space with library and open stage where various events take place such as: workshops, open concerts and festivals. This project is the result of the joint effort of 60 volunteers and 7 organizations. It has received 3 national awards and now it is a popular meeting point for the youth.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/youth-sphere/
ART AND CULTURE
“Shumen awakes festival” is the first street festival of its kind and scale in the town of Shumen. For the first edition, the main goal we set was for the event to serve as a bridge between street artists, dancers and hip-hop musicians, and the citizens of Shumen. During the festival, this type of art was presented in all its forms, namely – music (hip-hop and R'n'B), graffiti, street dance and modern street sports (streetball, skateboarding, biking and parkour).
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/shumen-%d0%b0wakes-festival/
The initiative "Art Speaks" aims to gather acclaimed and inspiring artists to present their stories, philosophy of life and creativity to the youth and to the citizens of the town of Shumen. Our desire was to present diverse and strong personalities who engage in art and convey messages through their work.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/изкуството-говори/
“Shumen’s history in graffiti” is a project that aims to present the history of Shumen in graffiti. With the help of some of the most recognized graffiti artists in our country, we managed to popularize graffiti and street art. We presented the symbols of the city in an attractive way and turned 400 square meters of gray and faded walls into picturesque and inspiring places. The main graffiti artist of the project was Stanislav Trifonov – Nassimo, who together with 14 other leading graffiti artists realized this project.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/istoriqta_na_shumen/
INNOVATION
“ReBox” is a system of "smart" containers for separate waste collection, through which we aim to build sustainable habits related to environmental protection in children, youth and their parents and give real value to every discarded waste.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/rebox-en/
“Flowers for life” aimed to raise public awareness on the issue of declining bee populations, which is critical to the survival of our planet. With the successful development of this project, we are embarking on a sustainable future of the Shumen region as a bee-friendly place, whose society is aware that our lives are directly dependent on the lives of pollinators.
For this purpose, we have built 3 special stations, including a sensory board describing in detail the problem and the possible solutions. We have also constructced benches, flower beds and a #SavetheBees photo station.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/tsvetove_za_zhivot/
"Meet & Code" is an initiative aimed at children and young people between the ages of 8 and 24 to get to know the world of technology and programming in a fun way. Through online and in person events we showed young people how fun programming can be and we helped them develop the digital skills they need in today's world to bring their own ideas to life. The initiative took place thanks to SAP and TechSoup Europe.
Learn more:
SUSTAINABILITY
"Green Academy" is a project whose main task was to show adolescents how valuable our nature is and to provoke love and care for it. Children from the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades took part in workshops aimed at protecting the environment. Youngsters got involved in the cleaning and improvement of various forest areas.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/green-academy/
The aim of our project "Re(cycle)Art" was to combine the beauty of art with the need for recycling. The art installation was specially built right next to the "Youth Sphere" to remind visitors to dispose of their garbage separately.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/recycle-art-en/
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
"Podobri" Foundation is the main coordinator and partner of the ABLE Mentor program for the city of Shumen. A primary mission of the ABLE Mentor program is to connect students and proven professionals with upper secondary students in a network to share knowledge and experience. Students and mentors are assigned to teams of 1 mentor and 1 student based on their common interests. Within 3 months, they develop their own case study or project, which can be in the field of entrepreneurship, personal development or social causes.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/en/proekti-2/able-mentor-shumen-en/
The idea of the "Business Stories" initiative was to show young people through events that there are opportunities all around us and that as long as they are bold and active, they can change their lives and their environment. The end goal was to create a community of active young people who talk about business and unite around different causes.
Learn more: https://podobri.org/proekti-2/бизнес-истории/

Do you want to help shape a vibrant youth community in Shumen? This project empowers you to create meaningful and creative content while working closely with local youth groups and organizations. You’ll collaborate with informal groups and NGOs to launch projects that enhance Shumen’s cultural life and image, while producing inspiring content that opens opportunities for youth both online (TikTok, IG, FB) and offline (school/university presentations). As a volunteer, you’ll dive into a variety of roles that develop your professional skills, including coordinating projects, building youth communities, mastering graphic and video editing, utilizing digital marketing strategies, delivering impactful presentations, and crafting creative content for different audiences. You will also actively promote the benefits of ESC and Erasmus+ programmes, inspiring young people to take part in mobility opportunities, volunteer abroad, and engage in international learning experience.

Volunteers are hosted in a three-room apartment in Shumen, each with a private bedroom and shared kitchen and bathroom. Overhead costs are included. Travel expenses are reimbursed within a set limit. A monthly allowance covers food, pocket money, and local transport, ensuring volunteers can live comfortably and focus on their projects.

Volunteers will receive on-arrival training organised by the Bulgarian National Agency as well as orientation and a detailed explanation about "Podobri" goals, vision, mission, long-term projects, our way of working, safety. Also MOOC courses for digital marketing, youth work & participation, visual design and content creation. They will learn how to use our website, eurodesk email and materials too. In addition, there will be constant support, daily meetings, brainstorming, supporting groups, etc. Volunteers will receive a library and access to platforms and websites for digital resources.

The Participant profile: Young, curious and proactive person who wants to develop skills related to content creation, event organization and community building and would be interested in the following activities: - Content creating (Social media posts, TikTok videos, IG, Reels) - Promote Youth mobility opportunities (like Youth Exchanges, Training Courses and Volunteering projects). - Popularize the Eurodesk initiative. - Meetings with local young people and discussing opportunities. - Supports the implementation of youth projects, the organisation of events and initiatives for the local community. - Seeks, creates, and disseminates youth information through the organization's channels. - Copywriting and preparing useful posts for our website blog. People who are interested in visual and video content creation for TiKTok, Instagram & FB, will be preferred.
Deadline: 10/10/2025 12:00

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.