The Blagoevgrad-based Foundation “For Tomorrow” continues to implement youth mobility projects under the European Erasmus+ programme, aimed at the social and professional inclusion of young people with intellectual disabilities on the territory of the village of Dolni Rakovets and Radomir municipality. Following the positive response from the participants and the excellent interaction with the local community, For Tomorrow Foundation is about to implement its third project this year in the village of Dolni Rakovets, which will take place from 24 June to 2 July 2025.

The project is a training course for youth workers from Bulgaria and 8 other countries (Albania, Greece, Croatia, Lithuania, Morocco, Moldova, Romania, Spain) and is dedicated to innovative methods for social inclusion based on the methodology of sensory theatre. The main objective of the training course for youth workers “Disabilities as Abilities” is to prepare them to accept, understand and support young people with intellectual disabilities through the methodology of sensory theatre. Peter Petrov, a psychologist with more than 10 years of experience in creating sensory labyrinths, will introduce them to this methodology.

This innovative approach to theatre art emphasizes immersive, multi-sensory experiences. It engages participants through a combination of sights, sounds, smells, sensations, and sometimes tastes, creating an overall participatory environment. This approach can be particularly useful for young people with intellectual disabilities as it provides different styles of learning and communication beyond traditional verbal and visual methods.

In the field of social and work inclusion, sensory theatre offers a dynamic platform for empowerment and skills development among special individuals. Through participation in sensory theatre productions, young people with intellectual disabilities can improve their social interaction skills, increase self-confidence and express their creativity in a supportive and structured environment. The process often involves collaboration, where participants work together towards a common goal, fostering teamwork and a sense of community.

During the training course, all participants will create and present a sensory theatre performance to an audience on the theme of “OPPORTUNITIES ARE OPPORTUNITIES”. This approach will provide a unique and powerful framework for youth workers to better understand and support their peers with intellectual disabilities, as it highlights an individual's strengths and abilities rather than focusing on their limitations. This allows youth workers to see and appreciate the diverse potential of everyone, regardless of their disabilities.

• Key elements and themes in the project programme:
   Introduction to sensory theatre and disability awareness;
   Understanding intellectual disability - incl. Building empathy through role-playing, creative expression and sensory engagement;
   Creating a theatre performance Labyrinth in the village of Dolni Rakovets on the theme “DISABILITIES ARE OPPORTUNITIES”;
   Exchange of experiences and good practices in working with youth workers for the social inclusion of young people with special educational needs;
   Digital tools based on sensory theatre to support the promotion of social and work inclusion;
   Country cultural presentations and cultural evenings;
   Excursion to see cultural and natural attractions of the region.
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The culmination of the project will be the sensory labyrinth - a performance that will take place on June 29 (Sunday) at 17:00 in the village of Dolni Rakovets. The location will be announced additionally, and all those wishing to visit the performance should sign up in advance - more information is available on the FB event https://fb.me/e/4Xkbr7RKU. Due to the specifics of the theatre, the audience enters one by one at a specific time (every 6 minutes) and pre-booking is required. Seating is limited so those interested should hurry!

Following the performance will be a concert by local artist Ivashkin von Mephisto, creator of the one-of-a-kind Darkwave Radomir Radio - https://dwr.radio.

Within the project the village of Dolni Rakovets will become a stage for the presentation of the culture and peculiarities of Bulgaria and 8 different countries.

For more information about the program and what is happening during the project, keep an eye on the website and Facebook page of “For Tomorrow” Foundation - https://zautre.bg / https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086478025738
 

The activities of the team of “For Tomorrow” Foundation, Blagoevgrad are aimed at improving the quality of life of people with special educational needs and their integration into society as equal members. For Tomorrow Foundation promotes the exchange of information, best practices, experience, awareness and support for families in order to enable them to stimulate their child's development despite the medical and social challenges they face.

The activities of the Youth Worker Training Programme - Disabilities as Abilities, of For Tomorrow Foundation, Blagoevgrad are part of a youth mobility project № 2024-1-BG01-KA151-YOU-000226276, funded by the EU Erasmus+ Programme.