Students and pupils from Bulgaria and Romania met, learnt together and formed new friendships as part of the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria programme

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.

The first two cross-border training sessions under a project run by the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov, in partnership with the Dolj County Police Inspectorate, Romania, and the Dolj County School Inspectorate, Romania, funded under the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme, were successfully launched and completed. The training sessions brought together young people, lecturers, teachers and representatives of the partner institutions, turning knowledge and good practices into a foundation for new contacts and friendships.

The first training session took place in Craiova, at the Dolj County Police Inspectorate, and was dedicated to “Safe Driving for Young People”. It was attended by students from the Academy of Economics and pupils from Romania, who gained new knowledge and practical guidance on safe behaviour on the road. Alongside the training sessions, participants had the opportunity to experience Craiova’s cultural heritage by visiting the Botanical Garden and ‘Nicolae Romanescu’ Park. The training concluded with the presentation of certificates and left behind new friendships and a desire for future meetings.

The second training session took place in Auditorium 52 at the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov, which was renovated under project ROBG00251 ‘Cross-Border Youth Safety and Inclusion: Modernising Training Facilities and Developing a Comprehensive Good Practices Guide (project acronym CBYSI), and was dedicated to the theme ‘Green Economy and Corporate Social Responsibility’. The refurbished learning environment provided suitable conditions for collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and good practices between the Bulgarian and Romanian participants. The event was attended by 15 students from the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics and 5 pupils from the ‘Matei Basarab’ Secondary School in Craiova. The participants discussed current issues relating to the green economy, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, and worked together in an international setting.

The programme in Svishtov also included visits to local educational and cultural venues. The guests from Romania visited the Commercial High School, the Academic Museum and ‘Kaleto’ Park, where they learnt about the town’s history, traditions and academic life. This training session also concluded with the presentation of certificates to the participants.

The two training sessions demonstrated that a cross-border partnership is, above all, a partnership between people. It creates opportunities for acquiring knowledge, sharing experience and good practices, intercultural exchange and building lasting professional and friendly ties between young people from Bulgaria and Romania.
The D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics continues to actively participate in the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme, transforming cross-border cooperation into real opportunities for training, exchange and development for young people.