1. Seniors involved
BULGARIA

2. The elderly in Bulgaria – an overview
Ranks 5th in the world by the share of elderly – over 25% are over 60 years old
Lowest average life expectancy vs. One of the highest rates of aging - 71 years for men and 78 for women (2013 data)
Highest rate of elderly people at risk of poverty, isolation and social exclusion
51% of Bulgarian citizens over 65 face serious material difficulties.

3. Factors:
Low current numbers of the total fertility ratio (1.46 as per 2017)
“Baby-boom” generation
Relatively increasing life expectancy
Emigration numbers million in the past 3 decades
Loneliness is deepening the social aspect of the issue, altogether with the financial and demographic ones.

4. Youth initiatives and organizations
1."SOS Hour Attention“
30 young people help in organizing the disaster store at the Bulgarian Red Cross
They visit lonely old people in their homes, chat with them and give them presents
Voluntary work to help people by giving them attention to tell about themselves and to feel alive

5. Youth initiatives and organizations
2. Baba residence
Original format of Ideas Factory which connects young urban people with elderly people in rural areas
A steady bridge between the diverse cultural and generational “islands” of Bulgaria
They spend one month living together, after which the young people start working on individual or group ideas which have the potential to bring human, financial or other resources back to those Bulgarian depopulating rural areas

6. Youth initiatives and organizations
2. Baba residence

7. Youth initiatives and organizations
3. „ Artless-Age“ campaign /Credo Bonum Foundation/
A program for active cultural access and social inclusion of people in post-retirement age
Identifying that anxiety from new and unknown places is a cause for social and cultural isolation among the elderly
Organizes free concerts and exhibitions in Sofia for 65+ citizens - young volunteers accompany them to the place of the event

8. Youth initiatives and organizations
4. Accept me in the village
Main goal is to explore, preserve and promote the Bulgarian cultural heritage
Promotes communication between representatives of different ages, stimulates tolerance, understanding, interaction and intercultural dialogue
A model village of Primorsko was developed where young people can live with grandparents for rent and to be actively involved in rural life

9. What if you were suddenly… Old!
Communication and inclusion is the key 

10. THANK YOU!  Team BULGARIA Radostina Shivikova Alexandra Yanakieva
Kristina Mincheva Donika Boneva