The BG Be Active Association completed its latest active summer this year, engaging deeply with the young people of Plovdiv. Throughout the months of June to August, a series of events took place as part of an initiative focused on creating more vibrant and accessible youth spaces within the city. Over 40 young individuals were directly involved in on-site activities, while more than 100 others shared their opinions through surveys and local discussions. Thanks to active communication across social media and traditional media channels, the campaign’s message reached over 150,000 people.

In its commitment to collaborate with institutions and citizens, BG Be Active conducted a pilot survey among youth aged 16–29. The primary objective was to understand their needs and preferences regarding sports and active spaces in the city.

The survey revealed that sports and active zones are the areas Plovdiv residents feel are most lacking, with 62.7% of respondents citing the shortage and poor condition of basketball, football, and volleyball courts. Dance/performance spaces followed at 40.7%. Third place was shared by skate parks/roller skating zones and outdoor yoga/Pilates areas, each registering 39% of the responses. The study further indicated that nearly half of the participants—a significant 49.2%—expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of free and well-maintained spots for sport and recreation.

The good news is that 75% of survey participants unequivocally stated their willingness to personally get involved in the creation and maintenance of such spaces.

Mapping and Analysis for Vibrant Spaces

Over the summer, the BG Be Active team and Plovdiv youth mapped the city’s youth spaces as part of the process to create more vibrant and accessible locations.

Within three months, the Association’s team, with a group of over 30 young people, toured the city’s neighborhoods. Using assessment tools based on the Place Standard methodology, they conducted an analysis to determine which areas had the potential to become genuine gathering spots for young people. Various types of spaces were examined, including parks, inter-block areas, and squares, assessed by type and size. 

The main issues highlighted by the youth were:

• Lack of cleanliness and the poor condition of the spaces.
• Absence of facilities for various activities.
• A scarcity of outdoor cultural and sporting events.
• Lack of adequate lighting and a sense of safety.
• Absence of access to drinking water and hygiene facilities. 

The research process gradually realized tours of the Marasha neighborhood and the areas surrounding the Rowing Canal (Grebna Baza) to assess the condition of several public spaces. On July 22, the BG Be Active team, joined by part of the educational team from the Youth Centre Plovdiv and 15 motivated young people, collected concrete ideas for space improvements: more basketball courts, green areas and contact with nature, graffiti walls, skateboard ramps, event stages, site accessibility, and even options for green electricity.

Following this, on July 24, the workshop “Design a Youth Space” was held. Twenty-five young people voiced their needs and actively participated in discussions, design, and planning for future spaces, proving the crucial importance of youth involvement in such processes.

This was followed by a visualization of the youth’s ideas, created with the help of an expert designer. The results were presented at an exhibition that remained at the Youth Centre Plovdiv for one month.

 Advocacy and Collaboration

A key component of the initiative was the execution of a large-scale advocacy campaign, where BG Be Active successfully united efforts with other non-governmental organizations. This collaboration facilitated the exchange of experience and resources, as well as the coordination of actions for maximum impact. Partners in the initiative included the Youth Centre Plovdiv and local sports clubs.

The extensive media presence and active communication on social media successfully spread the initiative’s message about youth Placemaking to a very large segment of the young population.

The Issue of Locked Schoolyards

During the campaign, BG Be Active also drew attention to the issue of closed schoolyards in Plovdiv and their potential as zones for active youth activities. Despite the Mayor, Kostadin Dimitrov’s, order ensuring free access, most schools still keep their yards locked. The reason cited is concern over vandalism, hooliganism, and other violations that might occur during the night and outside of school staff working hours.

In response, BG Be Active sent a letter with recommendations to the Mayor and proposed the establishment of a working group involving the Municipality of Plovdiv, the Regional Department of Education (RUO Plovdiv), NGOs, school principals, industry associations, and trade unions. The goal is to draft common regulations and develop sustainable solutions to ensure accessible sports and recreation spaces for the city’s young people.

Ideas Brought to Life: The Action Day

As always, BG Be Active demonstrated how ideas come to life on the ground. Together with youth from the Sports School, residents from the “Zapadhen” (Western) district, and representatives from the district administration, the team organized an action to improve the urban environment on October 10. They focused on the area around the intersection of “Svoboda” Blvd. and “Shesti Septemvri” Blvd.

The area was thoroughly cleaned. Existing benches were restored, worn-out boards were replaced, and the structures were repainted. A new, creative seating element, ParkLy, was installed, adding a modern and functional touch to the location. Two new waste bins were also mounted.

In the spirit of nature and a focus on sustainability, new shrubs and plants were planted, contributing to the freshness and beauty of the surrounding environment.

The day concluded fittingly with music and pleasant refreshments—a wonderful way for the participants in the placemaking process to celebrate their hard work and enjoy the new space.

 Conclusion

The BG Be Active initiative proved that young people possess the energy, ideas, and desire to transform the urban environment. They not only share their needs but also actively contribute with solutions and actions. Plovdiv has the potential to become a city where every youth space is vibrant, accessible, and inspiring—a space that young people would truly call their ideal spot.

“Every generation, no doubt, feels called to reshape the world,” wrote Albert Camus. Young people have always been the engine of this change, regardless of time or place.