From personal safety skills to academic meetings and new friendships – training sessions under project ROBG00251 CBYSI continue

Project „Cross-Border Youth Safety and Inclusion: Modernizing Training Facilities and Developing a Comprehensive Good Practices Guide” (CBYSI - ROBG00251), is co-funded by the European Union through European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.

Two further successful cross-border training programmes brought together students from the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov and pupils from Craiova in a shared pursuit of knowledge, personal safety and cooperation. The initiatives were carried out as part of the project “Cross-Border Youth Safety and Inclusion: Modernizing Training Facilities and Developing a Comprehensive Good Practices Guide” (ROBG00251 CBYSI), co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria programme.

Practical skills for a safer everyday life

From 23 to 25 September 2026, a training course on “Self-Defence And Personal Safety Training” was held in Craiova at the Dolj County Police Inspectorate (Inspectoratul de Poliție Județean Dolj). Five students from the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Svishtov took part and received certificates for successfully completing the course.

The sessions were aimed at improving personal safety, recognising and preventing risky situations, and acquiring practical skills for responding appropriately to threats. The training helped to build confidence, foster responsible behaviour and improve preparedness for dealing with critical situations – knowledge and skills of direct relevance to the health and well-being of young people.

The stay in Craiova also provided an opportunity to socialise outside the educational setting. The students from Svishtov shared their experiences with the Romanian pupils, made new friends and visited the city’s sights. On their departure, the students promised to visit Craiova again – a sign of the friendships forged and the bonds that transcend borders, turning the partnership into a shared experience.

Svishtov welcomed the young participants with a spirit of scholarship and hospitality

The second face-to-face training session on the topic of “Green Economy And Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)” took place in auditorium 46, in the Faculty Building of the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Svishtov, which had been refurbished under Project ROBG00251. The positive feedback from the previous training session sparked keen interest among the students, with 15 participants taking part, mainly first-year students. From the Romanian side, five pupils from the “Constantin Brâncuși” Technological High School in Craiova attended, accompanied by two teachers.

All participants received certificates and completed feedback questionnaires. Their feedback reflected a positive attitude towards the organisation, the hospitality of the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, and the opportunity to learn and socialise in a friendly academic environment. Particularly telling was the students’ interest in future training courses, round-table discussions, conferences, research projects and other initiatives organised by the Academy of Economics.

The joint walk to Kaleto Park allowed the conversation to continue in an informal setting and gave the Bulgarian and Romanian participants the opportunity to get to know the city better and share their impressions with one another.

The programme for the guests from Craiova also included a visit to the Academic Museum. On the third day, they had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of a scientific conference organised by the Department of Business Informatics to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding. The encounter with the academic traditions, the spirit of auditorium 1 and the festive atmosphere left a lasting impression on the young guests and their teachers.

More than just training – community, exchange and trust

These two initiatives demonstrate the practical value of the ROBG00251 CBYSI project and the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria programme. Through these joint activities, young people acquire knowledge and practical skills, learn about the cultural and historical heritage of the neighbouring country, and build relationships that can develop into long-term cooperation.

Project „Cross-Border Youth Safety and Inclusion: Modernizing Training Facilities and Developing a Comprehensive Good Practices Guide ” (CBYSI - ROBG00251) Editor of the material: Galina Chipriyanova Date of publishing: 12.10.2026 The content of this material does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union.