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Spotlight on the Change: B.R.I.G.H.T Future 2025
2025 , August 13 – September 9
Mrachenik, Bulgaria
Participating countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Portugal
The 2025 edition wasn’t just about renovating the historical old school—it became a celebration for the entire region, embracing openness, creativity, and local collaboration.
The camp’s main project—renovating the old school into a youth center remains at the heart of the initiative. But this year, we organised a festival with a more open concept, inviting everyone from Mrachenik and surrounding communities to join. Local businesses from the region were supported and welcomed to sell their products tax-free, creating a truly communal marketplace.
For the first time, two talented brothers from Mrachenik were given the opportunity to hold their first live concert in the village, bringing music and excitement to residents of all ages. Meanwhile, the participants rolled up their sleeves to give the village itself a deep clean: every street, every road, not just the school, was tidied up. Even the church fence received a fresh coat of paint, adding to the renewed sense of pride and care in the community.
The smiles and gratitude of the older generation reminded everyone that these efforts were about more than buildings—they were about people, relationships, and shared history. Participants were also given the chance to create posts, stories, and clips for Smokinya’s social media accounts, sharing their experiences and giving the wider audience a glimpse into the festival, the village, and the transformation taking place.
This year’s camp demonstrated that even a small village can host big change. By combining youth energy, local business support, creativity, and community engagement, Mrachenik became not just a site of renovation, but a space of inspiration, celebration, and connection.
One of the most remarkable aspects of B.R.I.G.H.T Future 2025 was the diversity and energy of the participants. What made the camp especially rewarding was hearing how it positively impacted participants in ways they hadn’t expected. For instance, one participant shared that the social media interviews conducted during the program were incredibly helpful because he aspires to be a sports journalist. Another participant reflected that taking time away from daily routines allowed him to disconnect, think, and reflect; some of his worries—problems outside his control that had been weighing on him—simply eased with time. A young woman shared that she met people from her own town during the camp, forming friendships that she feels will last a lifetime.
These personal stories show that B.R.I.G.H.T Future 2025 was not just about volunteering and community work—it was about growth, reflection, and connection.
This program is co-funded by the Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
