The activities directed towards young people in BFPA’s projects include:

·        Educational sessions in schools

·        Organizing of promotional events in areas popular among young people

·        Dissemination of information materials including in places visited mainly by young people

·        Exchange of experience related to approaches for dissemination of information with young people from other countries

·        Optimization of the equal partnership between young people and adults

·        Inclusion of young people in the making of information materials

·        Making a specialized radio series about the problems related to HIV and STDs, as well as trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes.

 In 2007-2009 the BFPA set up its own youth groups in the cities of Sofia and Plovdiv as they were given full autonomy (including financial) to decide when, where and how they will organize their health information events. This new approach in the association’s work in connection to adolescents is much more effective.  

Young people at risk

In 2000 the BFPA started working on a project financed under the PHARE-ACCESS programme in six Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC) and seven Social Pedagogical Centers (SPC). The project activities included the organizing and holding of a series of educational modules in the area of sexual and reproductive health for adolescents in these institutions. Coming up with adequate information materials for the target auditory was also an important part of the activities. 

This project lasted for 2 years (until 2002) but due to the needs of the adolescents in these institutions the BFPA found financing for the next two years through the International Planned Parenthood Federation. In 2005, from the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria, the BFPA received the opportunity to work with the teachers and educators at the JDCs and SPCs by training them for mentors on the topics of sexual and reproductive health, as the BFPA provided suitable information materials.  

In 2006-2008 the BFPA ensured funding for holding medical screenings in six SPCs their focus being sexually transmitted diseases. Starting at the end of 2008 and all through 2009 the BFPA worked with SPC staff for providing the young people with suitable medical services.  

Another group with which the BFPA has experience in working on projects in the area of sexual and reproductive health is those of hearing and visually impaired people. The first such project became a reality with the help of the Cooperating Netherlands Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe and included the training of instructors among the target groups. As part of this project the BFPA published the first of its kind information material in Braille (for visually impaired or blind adolescents) containing information about contraception, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. To provide adequate information on these topics, as well as adequate medical services to young people the BFPA has ongoing activities targeting these groups.