Name of law Law for youth Named Bill Bill on youth date of acceptance 05/04/2012 number/year Official Gazette 31/2012 Decree No 158

On the grounds of art. 98, paragraph 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria

I DECLARE:

To be published in the Official Gazette the law for youth, adopted by the National Assembly of the HLI 5 April 2012

Issued in Sofia on 12 April 2012

The President of the Republic: Rosen Plevneliev

Stamped with the State seal.

Minister of Justice:

Diana Kovatcheva

LAW

for youth

Chapter one

GENERAL

Art. 1. This Act lays down the basic principles, management and financing of activities carried out in implementation of the State youth policy.

Art. 2. The State youth policy is focused and consistent activities of the State, local authorities, youth organisations and society, which aims to create favourable conditions for the full development of the personality, but young people and their participation in public and economic life, as well as their inclusion in governance at local, regional and national level through activities promoting the development of young people in the country.

Art. 3. The General principles of State youth policy are:

1. the legality, transparency, equality, purposefulness, systematisation and consistency of the policies of the State, the municipalities and the society for the development of youth;

2. coordination of youth policies in the field of education, social policy, health, culture, sports, justice, Home Affairs and defence;

3. coordination of the State youth policy youth policy carried out by and in the framework of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations;

4. integration of policies for children and youth;

5. ensuring dialogue and participation of youth in the formation of youth policy;

6. freedom of Association of youth, freedom of youth initiatives, youth organisations self;

7. decentralization of youth policies.

Chapter two

FORMATION OF YOUTH POLICY

Art. 4. (1) the State youth policy is conducted by the Council of Ministers through the Minister of education, youth and science and in accordance with the national strategy for youth.

(2) the National Assembly shall adopt a national strategy for youth at the proposal of the Council of Ministers.

(3) the Council of Ministers shall submit to the National Assembly the strategy under para. 1 on the proposal of the Minister of education, youth and science.

(4) the national youth strategy sets long-term objectives and priorities of the State youth policy of the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of 10 years.

(5) the national youth strategy contains:

1. analysis of the challenges facing youth policy;

2. the main and specific objectives and priorities of the State policy on youth;

3. activities to achieve the objectives of the strategy;

4. action on monitoring, evaluation and updating of the strategy.

Art. 5. (1) the National Assembly shall approve the annual report each year for youth, on the proposal of the Council of Ministers.

(2) the Council of Ministers shall submit to the Assembly annual report under para. 1, developed by the Minister of education, youth and science, by 30 April.

(3) in the annual report referred to in paragraph 1. 1 sets out the changes in the socio-economic situation of young people since the beginning of the action of the national youth strategy and taking into account the implementation of the priorities and objectives of the strategy during the year.

(4) the approved annual report for the youth shall be published on the website of the Ministry of education, youth and science.

Art. 6. (1) in the implementation of the national youth strategy the Council of Ministers shall adopt, by 31 March each year an annual plan for the implementation of the national youth strategy, on the proposal of the Minister of education, youth and science.

(2) the annual plan of Pará. 1 is being developed on the basis of the collected and summarized information about activities and initiatives in the field of youth by the Central and territorial bodies of the Executive power.

(3) the Minister of education, youth and science coordinates and oversees the development and implementation of the annual plan.

Art. 7. in the implementation of the national youth strategy the Council of Ministers shall adopt national programmes for youth, on the proposal of the Minister of education, youth and science.

Art. 8. (1) the Minister of education, youth and science, supervise the implementation of the national programmes for youth.

(2) the financial resources for the implementation of national programmes for youth are planned annually by the law on the State budget for the respective year.

(3) the conditions and procedures for the financing of projects on national youth programmes shall be determined by an Ordinance of the Minister of education, youth and science, in consultation with the Minister of finance.

Art. 9. Minister of education, youth and Science:

1. coordinate the activities of the Central and the territorial bodies of the Executive authority in the implementation of youth policy;

2. interact with youth organisations in the implementation of State youth policy;

3. to manage, organize and coordinate the programmes and projects in the field of youth;

4. Encourages the youth volunteering.

Art. 10. (1) in carrying out the State policy on youth Minister of education, youth and science is supported by the National Youth Advisory Board.


(2) the National Advisory Council on youth:

1. giving opinions on draft regulations and strategic documents relating to youth policy;

2. propose measures to achieve the objectives of the State policy on youth;

3. discuss and other issues related to the implementation of youth policy.

(3) in the composition of the National Advisory Board for youth include:

1. Deputy Minister of education, youth and science, Deputy Minister of economy, energy and tourism, Deputy Minister of labour and social policy, Deputy Minister of health, Minister of State for culture, Deputy Minister of the Interior, the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of regional development and public works, Deputy Minister of finance, Deputy Minister of physical education and sports, Deputy Chairman of the State Agency for child protection;

2. a representative of the National Association of municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria;

3. a representative of the National representation of student councils;

4. one representative from each national representative youth organization.

(4) the presence of the Deputy Ministers shall be determined by the agenda of the National Advisory Council for youth.

(5) Name composition of National Youth Advisory Board shall be determined by order of the Minister of education, youth and science, on the proposal of the head of the relevant department or organization under paragraph 1. 3. (6) the Chairman of the National Advisory Council for Youth Affairs is the Minister of education, youth and science or authorized by him Deputy Minister of education, youth and science.

(7) the National Youth Advisory Board may invite to its meetings to attend and other experts in the field of youth policy.

Art. 11. Minister of education, youth and science shall issue rules of procedure of the National Advisory Council for youth.

Art. 12. The secretariat of the activities of the National Youth Advisory Board is provided by the Ministry of education, youth and science.

Art. 13. District Governors shall ensure the conduct of the State youth policy in the territory of the region, such as:

1. working in close cooperation with the Ministry of education, youth and science and with youth organisations, registered on the territory of the region, when dealing with issues related to youth policy;

2. analyze the status of youth in the area and lay down priorities and specific objectives and measures for the development of regional policy for youth.

Art. 14. (1) the Governor shall draw up a regional plan for youth, like the municipal youth plans sums up.

(2) the district youth plan defines the objectives and priorities of the regional youth policy in accordance with the national youth strategy, with the regional development strategy and the needs of young people in the region.

(3) the district plan for youth include:

1. analysis of the challenges facing youth in the area concerned;

2. priorities and specific objectives for the implementation of the regional youth policy and measures to achieve them;

3. a description of the joint activities that contribute to achieving the objectives of the national strategy for youth;

4. the Organization and coordination of activities for achieving the objectives;

5. action on monitoring and evaluation of the regional plan for youth;

6. the modalities for providing information and publicity of the plan.

(4) not later than March 1, District Governors approved plans to provide regional youth of the Minister of education, youth and science.

Art. 15. (1) the mayors of municipalities are responsible for the conduct of the municipal youth policy in accordance with State policy on youth.

(2) the mayors of municipalities work in close cooperation with the Ministry of education, youth and science, with district governors and with youth organisations, when considering issues related to youth policy.

(3) the mayors of municipalities analyze the status of youth in the municipality and prepare a draft of the municipal year plan for youth.

(4) not later than 31 January the mayors of municipalities shall provide the regional governors municipal year plan for youth for the current year and a report on the implementation of activities aimed at young people on the territory of the municipality for the previous year.

(5) the mayors of municipalities perform municipal plans and programmes for youth.

(6) in the conduct of the municipal youth policy the mayors of municipalities may be supported by a municipal Advisory Councils on issues for youth, created by decision of the Municipal Council.

Art. 16. (1) the municipal youth plan is adopted by the City Council on a proposal from the Mayor of the municipality, after consultation with the municipal Advisory Council for Youth Affairs, where one is established.

(2) the municipal youth plan defines the objectives and priorities of the municipal youth policy as well as financial resources for its implementation, in accordance with the national strategy for youth.

(3) the municipal plan for youth include:

1. analysis of the challenges facing youth in the municipality;

2. priorities and specific objectives for conducting the municipal youth policy and measures to achieve them;

3. a description of the activities that contribute to achieving the objectives of the national strategy for youth;


4. the Organization and coordination of activities for achieving the objectives;

5. action on monitoring, evaluation and updating of the municipal plan for youth;

6. the modalities for providing information and publicity of the plan.

Chapter three

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Art. 17. Youth work is the organized activity or initiative whose purpose is to present, protects and develops the interests and needs of youth.

Art. 18. (1) the State and the municipalities shall promote and support the implementation of activities and services for youth, which consist in:

1. information and advisory services to support the personal, social and career development for youth;

2. activities aimed at supporting young people for their successful work and life;

3. activities for the Organization of leisure time;

4. promoting non-formal education to expand the knowledge, experience and skills of the young people for their inclusion to the values of civil society, science, culture, arts, entrepreneurship, healthy lifestyle, sport, road safety and preventing the nuisance of youth;

5. activities to support youth volunteering.

(2) in youth activities applies individual approach and assessment of the specific needs of young people and the peculiarities of juvenile age.

Chapter four

YOUTH ORGANIZATION

Art. 19. (1) youth organization is a voluntary association of individuals, of which not less than 70 per cent are aged 15 to 29 years, including for the implementation of youth activities.

(2) minors may belong to youth organisations with the express written consent of their legal representatives.

Art. 20. (1) the youth organisations can be created as non-profit organizations, registered under the conditions and pursuant to the law of non-profit legal entities, or as organized youth structures under the conditions and in accordance with special laws.

(2) for the youth organization and Association of youth organizations, created under the conditions and pursuant to the law of non-profit legal entities.

Art. 21. The development of youth organisations is encouraged and assisted through national, regional, municipal, European and international programmes and projects.

Art. 22. National representative youth organization is the youth organisation which has members not less than 900 individuals and operates on the territory of not less than 30 per cent of the municipalities in the country.

Art. 23. (1) the youth organisations that meet the requirements of art. 22 shall be entered in the list of national representative youth organisations.

(2) the list of national representative youth organisations shall be published on the website of the Ministry of education, youth and science.

Art. 24. (1) the entry of youth organisations in the list of national representative organisations is carried out at their request.

(2) the Ministry of education, youth and Science conducts the procedure for registration of nationally representative youth organization.

Art. 25. (1) the youth organisations wishing to be entered on the list of national representative youth organizations, submitted to the Ministry of education, youth and science writing sample application, approved by order of the Minister of education, youth and science.

(2) an application under subsection. 1 shall apply:

1. applicant details – name, type, seat and address of management; articles of incorporation; certificate of good standing or other equivalent proof of the legal status of the applicant;

2. evidence of activity in the territory of not less than 30 per cent of the municipalities in the country;

3. a list of members of the youth organization, containing three names, uniform civil number, permanent address and signature of not less than 900 members.

Art. 26. (1) the Minister of education, youth and science appointed with a Commission examining the application and the documents presented under art. 25. (2) clarification of the facts and circumstances for entry in the list under art. 23, para. 1, the Commission may require the applicants and additional documents, as well as reconciliation with the originals of the documents presented.

(3) the Commission, on the basis of the requirements of art. 22 and the documents referred to in art. 25, para. 2 shall submit to the Minister of education, youth and science opinion with a proposal for the inclusion of youth organization in the list under art. 23, para. 1 or to cancel.

Art. 27. (1) on the basis of the proposals of the Commission, Minister of education, youth and Science issued an order for the registration or refusal of registration of youth organization in the list of national representative youth organisations.

(2) the order under paragraph 1. 1 subject to appeal pursuant to the administrative code.

Art. 28. (1) the entry of a youth organization in the list of national representative organizations for a period of three years.

(2) after the expiry of the period referred to in para. 1 youth organization to submit an application for entry in the list under art. 23, para. 1.

(3) in the cases referred to in para. 2 the Commission under art. 26 makes a proposal to the Minister of education, youth and science for refusal of registration on the list of national representative youth organisations, when youth organization has ceased to meet the requirements of art. 22.


Art. 29. the list of national representative youth organisations is updated after each issue of the order of the Minister of education, youth and science for inclusion or deletion from the list.

Art. 30. National representative youth organization to which changes have occurred in the circumstances under art. 22, shall notify the Minister of education, youth and science, within 30 days of the event in question.

Art. 31. (1) the Commission under art. 26 the national representative youth organization which has received information about the changes in the circumstances under art. 22, as well as in case of reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of documents submitted by it under art. 25.

(2) the Commission shall issue an opinion to the Minister of education, youth and science with a proposal for the deletion of the youth organization of the list of national representative youth organizations, where it is found that it has ceased to meet the requirements of art. 22.

(3) in the cases referred to in para. 2 Minister of education, youth and Science issued an order for the deletion of the youth organization of the list of national representative organizations.

Chapter five

YOUTH WORKER

Art. 32. The youth worker is an adult who has undergone special training for working with young people and/or acquired professional experience of working with young people and the performance of youth activities.

Art. 33. The youth worker supports the activities of youth organisations, such as analyze, plan, organize, monitor and evaluate youth activities, on the basis of individual approach and assessment of the specific needs of young people.

Art. 34. national and local youth programmes include activities in support of the development and the special training of the youth worker.

Chapter six

YOUTH VOLUNTEERING

Art. 35. Youth volunteering activity is carried out free of charge by young people on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or any other country programs and initiatives in the field of social, youth, sports and other obŝestvenoznačimi activities.

Art. 36. The State and the municipalities encouraged youth voluntary activities through national and community programs for youth.

Art. 37. Youth Volunteering is done on the basis of the principles of: 1. the free choice;

2. bezv″zmezdnost;

3. personal responsibility;

4. equal treatment;

5. respect for the life, health and dignity of the volunteer.

Art. 38. young people implement Underage youth volunteering only with written consent of their legal representatives.

Art. 39. (1) The underage volunteers cannot be assigned activities that are prohibited or limited for carrying out for some categories of persons due to the heavy, harmful or dangerous impact on the psyche and the body in accordance with the legislation in force.

(2) in the implementation of the youth volunteer activities by minors volunteers of their activity organiser provides qualified adult tutor.

Art. 40. (1) the youth volunteers – citizens of a Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the agreement on the European economic area, and Switzerland, the Swiss youth volunteer activities carried out under the conditions of the Bulgarian citizens.

(2) except in the cases referred to in paragraph 1. 1 youth volunteers can receive a residence permit on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria for the implementation of youth volunteer activities in accordance with the law on foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Art. 41. (1) the youth organisations introduce and promote good practices on youth volunteering.

(2) not later than 1 March youth organisations provide the Ministry of education, youth and science information on good practices on youth volunteering.

(3) the information referred to in para. 2 shall contain: a description of youth volunteering, place and dates of the conduct, the number and age of youth volunteers.

Art. 42. At the time of youth volunteering every youth volunteer receives instructions for safety or specialized training by the organizer of the event.

Art. 43. at the request of the young volunteers of the event organizer shall issue a document certifying the participation of the volunteer.

Chapter seven

NATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR YOUTH

Art. 44. (1) the Ministry of education, youth and Science creates and maintains a national information system for youth (NATIONAL INSTITUTE for EMERGENCY MEDICINE) in order to provide up-to-date information on the needs of youth in the country, as well as for planning, monitoring, management and evaluation of youth policies at the national, regional and local levels.

(2) the national youth information system contains:

1. data for youth organisations in the country;

2. list of national representative youth organisations;

3. research on the situation of youth, analyses and evaluations of the implementation of youth policies at the national, regional and local levels;

4. national and European documents related to the implementation of youth policy;

5. updated information on funding opportunities in youth activities.

(3) the national information system for youth is publicly available through the website of the Ministry of education, youth and science.


Art. 45. Youth organisations applying for funding under national and European programmes for youth, are required to be entered in the national information system for youth.

Art. 46. (1) the youth organisations shall be entered in the national information system for youth by submitting an application to the Ministry of education, youth and science.

(2) an application under subsection. 1 shall apply:

1. data for youth organization – name, type, seat and address of management; copies of articles of incorporation and certificate of good standing or other equivalent proof of the legal status of the applicant;

2. a brief description of the activities of the youth organization.

Art. 47. The youth organization to which changes have occurred to the data under art. 46, para. 2, item 1, shall notify the Minister of education, youth and science, within 30 days of the event in question.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

§ 1. Within the meaning of this law, "young people" are persons aged 15 to 29 years.

§ 2. Provisions of this law shall apply to minors as far as not contrary to the Law on political parties, the law on child protection and the law of persons and family.

Transitional and final provisions

 § 3. The Council of Ministers shall submit to the National Assembly a draft of national strategy for youth within two months of the entry into force of the law.

§ 4. Within two months of the entry into force of the law the Minister of education, youth and Science issued the Ordinance under art. 8, al. 3 and the regulations of art. 11. § 5. The law shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The law was adopted by 41-Otto National Assembly on 5 April 2012 and is stamped with the official seal of the National Assembly.

President of the National Assembly: Anastas Anastasov

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