The recruitment of participants in the youth exchange "European Beech Forests - Our Common Heritage! Second European Youth Gathering" under the Erasmus + program for the period 12-19 August 2026 has started.
18 June 2026
This year, the Central Balkan National Park Directorate will host and organize the second youth exchange, bringing together young people from the different countries where components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe" are located. In this regard, we are pleased to invite students in the high school stage of their studies - between 8 and 12 grades, to apply for participation in an international youth meeting under the EU's Erasmus + program for support of education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
The exchange is under the title "European Beech Forests - Our Common Heritage! Second European Youth Gathering" and gives young people from six European countries (Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovenia) the opportunity to learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe", by visiting some of the components of the site in Bulgaria.
The duration is 8 days - from 12 to 19 August 2026 (excluding travel days), with accommodation for participants in three different locations - the town of Apriltsi, Dermenka hut and Sokolitsa village, the town of Karlovo. The program includes visits to cultural landmarks in the municipality of Troyan, the municipality of Karlovo and the city of Plovdiv, visits to the Central Balkan National Park, interactive games and talks, intercultural evenings.
The costs of accommodation and meals are fully covered by the organizers. The group of selected students will be guided and assisted by two chaperones, employees of the Central Balkan National Park, who will provide logistical support throughout the entire volume.
To apply, you need to fill out the Google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPp1paldNjHid1GDVItfVoRI4J7AbvzZFZsD8b6bTDyByGuA/viewform by July 15, 2026.
The selection criteria for 7 candidates include:
1. Evaluation of the submitted motivation letter or video;
2. Additional advantage for students from natural science profiles;
3. Additional advantage for students participating/participating in thematic extracurricular activities, olympiads, competitions, school projects.
4. Level of English proficiency, basic level is also acceptable;
5. Priority is given to candidates living in one of the five municipalities of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park – Anton, Karlovo, Pavel Banya, Troyan and Sevlievo.
6. Advantage for candidates living in one of the other four municipalities with land on the territory of the National Park – Pirdop, Sopot, Apriltsi and Teteven.
7. Compliance with UNESCO principles for equal representation of different genders and ethnicities in the presence of more suitable candidates.
8. Candidates who have submitted their application or have joined the exchange “World Heritage – European Beech Forests” Germany 2025 can also participate in the selection.
By July 22, a representative of the National Park Directorate will contact the parent/guardian of the approved candidate.
For contact or additional information, please write to cbbr@centralbalkan.bg or contact us by phone: 0885557676 and 0883314389.
The exchange is implemented within the framework of Project No. 2025-3-BG01-KA152-YOU-000387281 "European beech forests - our common heritage! Second European Youth Gathering" under the Erasmus+ program, funded by the European Union.
The exchange is under the title "European Beech Forests - Our Common Heritage! Second European Youth Gathering" and gives young people from six European countries (Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovenia) the opportunity to learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe", by visiting some of the components of the site in Bulgaria.
The duration is 8 days - from 12 to 19 August 2026 (excluding travel days), with accommodation for participants in three different locations - the town of Apriltsi, Dermenka hut and Sokolitsa village, the town of Karlovo. The program includes visits to cultural landmarks in the municipality of Troyan, the municipality of Karlovo and the city of Plovdiv, visits to the Central Balkan National Park, interactive games and talks, intercultural evenings.
The costs of accommodation and meals are fully covered by the organizers. The group of selected students will be guided and assisted by two chaperones, employees of the Central Balkan National Park, who will provide logistical support throughout the entire volume.
To apply, you need to fill out the Google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPp1paldNjHid1GDVItfVoRI4J7AbvzZFZsD8b6bTDyByGuA/viewform by July 15, 2026.
The selection criteria for 7 candidates include:
1. Evaluation of the submitted motivation letter or video;
2. Additional advantage for students from natural science profiles;
3. Additional advantage for students participating/participating in thematic extracurricular activities, olympiads, competitions, school projects.
4. Level of English proficiency, basic level is also acceptable;
5. Priority is given to candidates living in one of the five municipalities of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park – Anton, Karlovo, Pavel Banya, Troyan and Sevlievo.
6. Advantage for candidates living in one of the other four municipalities with land on the territory of the National Park – Pirdop, Sopot, Apriltsi and Teteven.
7. Compliance with UNESCO principles for equal representation of different genders and ethnicities in the presence of more suitable candidates.
8. Candidates who have submitted their application or have joined the exchange “World Heritage – European Beech Forests” Germany 2025 can also participate in the selection.
By July 22, a representative of the National Park Directorate will contact the parent/guardian of the approved candidate.
For contact or additional information, please write to cbbr@centralbalkan.bg or contact us by phone: 0885557676 and 0883314389.
The exchange is implemented within the framework of Project No. 2025-3-BG01-KA152-YOU-000387281 "European beech forests - our common heritage! Second European Youth Gathering" under the Erasmus+ program, funded by the European Union.
