Free, not dependent: talking to 8th grade students about corruption and the power of civic participation
Varna, November 2025 – The CHANCE (Civic Hub Against orgaNized Crime in Europe) team spent a dynamic day in Varna dedicated to young people, civic participation and the fight against corruption. Saturday (November 8) began with an inspiring exhibition of non-governmental organizations and ended on Monday (November 10) with a candid conversation with 8th grade students about what it means to live in an honest society.
The infectious energy of the exhibition in Varna
Before meeting with the students, we took part in the 15th consecutive Exhibition of organizations working with and for young people in Varna, organized by the Municipality of Varna and the National Youth Forum (NMF).
Among the prevailing topics were Ecology, Arts, Volunteering in disasters and accidents and, of course, Civic Participation. The energy and enthusiasm of colleagues from all sectors were truly contagious. We hope that more and more young people will find meaning and discover their cause in such participation.
We presented our anti-corruption training programs for young people (13+), which aim to build an active civic position and resilience against dishonest practices. It is no coincidence that it was at this exhibition that we received specific invitations to conduct trainings on topics related to monitoring the common good and the environmental impact of our actions. Thank you for your trust – see you soon again in Varna!
Corruption through the eyes of 14-year-olds
The culmination of this journey was our meeting with 8th grade students, with whom we talked about the work of the CHANCE network and about corruption – how it affects our lives as ordinary citizens and what its consequences are.
For young people, corruption is not just a matter of high politics. It affects them directly:
- In sports: suspicions of corrupt judges who make the results unfair.
- In school and beyond: the feeling of being treated unfairly for their skills and achievements.
- In access: when participation and opportunities announced as “open” are actually reserved for people with “connections”.
The power of youth insight
The strongest and most positive message that came out of the meeting was the insight of young people. The students see corrupt people not as “strong”, but as dependent, not free and tied up in relationships from which there is no escape.
This is an extremely important conclusion. We need to talk about these topics while values are being formed and the idea of the world outside the home is being built. Our programs, suitable for ages 13+, provide the tools for active observation and participation in public life.
If you are a school, organization or parent who believes in the power of youth integrity, contact us. Let’s work together to prepare young people to be free, not dependent, citizens.
Interested in learning more about CHANCE ’s programs and how to implement them in your community? Write to us at info@openspacebg.com or follow us on social media.
EU Youth in Power is made possible with the financial support of the EU.