About
Youth Center Vratsa

My name is Desislava Petrova and I am the Director of Youth Center – Vratsa, and I hold a Master’s degree in Management of Social Work Institutions. My professional path has taken me both into the social sphere—I worked at the “Social Assistance” Directorate – Vratsa—and into the education system—Secondary School “Hristo Botev” – Vratsa. It was precisely my work with children and young people that shaped my understanding of the meaning and power of support, trust, and shared development.

For me, youth work is not just a professional choice, but a personal cause and mission. I deeply believe that every young person carries enormous potential within them—potential that deserves to be seen, heard, and developed. That is why I have devoted my efforts and my heart to creating a space where young people feel confident to dream, create, grow, and find their place in the world.
Under my leadership, Youth Center – Vratsa is becoming a living, dynamic, and supportive home of ideas and opportunities—an environment where non-formal education, civic engagement, and creative expression intertwine into a whole. I strive for the center to be a key driver of youth policies at both local and national level, as well as a reliable partner to the community, institutions, and young people themselves.

With faith, inspiration, and dedication, I continue to work for a confident, active, and creative young generation—a generation that does not merely participate in society, but has the strength, courage, and abilities to change it and develop it for the better.

My name is Nikola and I live in the village of Zgorigrad. I graduated in Law at Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”, and I hold a PhD in Political Science. Over the past ten years, life has connected me with youth work and the civic sector.

For eight years I have been developing my training skills and working as a trainer on various projects, using the methodology of non-formal learning. I am part of the training teams of the Human Resources Development Centre (under the “Erasmus+” program ) and the National Youth Forum.

I currently work as a youth worker at Youth Center – Vratsa. For me, youth work is not just a profession, but a mission and inspiration that gives meaning to my time. I love working with young people and helping them discover their potential. It is a pleasure to see the spark of curiosity and motivation light up in their eyes.

I believe that in order to improve the environment we live in, change must start with each one of us. A particular interest of mine is the gamification of training processes—I strongly believe that board games are not only a means of entertainment, but also a tool for developing skills and empowering young people.

In my free time, I enjoy reading fantasy, history, and science fiction, playing board games, and walking in nature.

My name is Gabriel Velichkov and I am 33 years old. I graduated from the “Yoan Eksarh” Language High School in Vratsa, and then continued my education at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, majoring in Social Activities with a profile in Clinical Social Work.

Since 2017, I have been part of the team of Youth Center – Vratsa, where I work to support young people—helping them discover their strengths, develop their potential, and find their place in society. I believe that every youth idea, every aspiration, and every dream has value—it just needs support to become reality. My mission is to create an environment where young people not only develop, but also feel that their voice matters.

For me, life is not measured in achieved goals, but in shared moments. I love dynamics, nature, and sport, but what is most valuable to me remains the time and experiences shared with the people I love—because it is precisely those moments that give true meaning to everything else. 

My name is Kalin Ivanov Angelov and I am from the city of Vratsa. I graduated from Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” – Vratsa филиал, with a Bachelor’s degree in Primary School Pedagogy and a Master’s degree in Social Pedagogy.

For ten years I have been part of the team of Youth Center – Vratsa, where I work as a youth worker. Our main mission is to promote and apply good practices in non-formal education by encouraging the active participation of young people in volunteering initiatives, trainings, and, overall, in public life.

For me, it is both a pleasure and a responsibility to work with and for young people, because I believe they must be an essential part of the change we all want to see in the future.

In my free time, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my nephews, going fishing, playing football with friends, and together attending the matches of “Botev Vratsa”.

My name is Marieta and I live in the village of Zgorigrad. I graduated in Law at Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”, and later completed doctoral studies in Political Science there as well.

Over the past few years, I have been involved in a wide range of youth projects across the country. I currently work as a youth worker at the Youth Center in Vratsa, a role that I find both exciting and inspiring. My interests are focused on developing methodologies that foster the development of young people's key competencies.

My work gives me the opportunity to engage with civically active young people who are doing everything they can to help develop our city. Building a better future for Vratsa is a cause that inspires not only me, but its young people as well.

My name is Albena Nencheva, I am 35 years old. I have been part of the team of Youth Center – Vratsa since 2015. I started my professional path as a social worker, and from 2016 I held the position of youth worker. From 2026, I again hold the position of social worker at Youth Center – Vratsa. I live in the village of Zverino—a calm and beautiful place that fills me with energy and inspiration for working with young people in the region.

I graduated from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Pedagogy and a Master’s degree in Social Activities with a profile in Management of Social Work Institutions. In 2019, I completed a second Master’s degree at D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov, majoring in Financial Management.

My work as a social worker at Youth Center – Vratsa gave me valuable experience communicating with young people with different needs and interests, as well as skills for creating a supportive environment where they can develop and realize their potential. This experience taught me patience, empathy, and flexibility—qualities that continue to guide me in my role as a youth worker.

I believe that every young person carries within them the potential for positive change when they receive support and faith in their own abilities.
Outside my professional life, I am a mother of three-year-old twins, who are my greatest inspiration and meaning in life.

My name is Atanas Snezhanov and I hold the position of driver at Youth Center – Vratsa. I completed my education at the Vocational High School of Trade and Catering, where I specialised in “Production of Bakery and Confectionery Products”. After that, I spent many years working as a pastry chef in various pastry shops in our city.

Even before becoming part of the Youth Center team, I spent a large part of my time there — among young people, events, and initiatives that create a friendly and inspiring environment. It is also the place that reignited my passion for music and where I dedicated a great deal of time to developing my skills in creating original music. I know the spirit and values of the center from the inside and have always been an active participant in its activities.

Today, as a driver at Youth Center – Vratsa, I am responsible for ensuring safe and timely transportation during various activities, trips, and events. With my reliability, calm attitude, and positive approach, I contribute to creating a good atmosphere and supporting the successful work of the team.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time in my home music studio, where I create more original music. Sports are another passion of mine, which I love practising, especially outdoors and together with my loved ones.

My name is Aleks Aleksandrov, I am 19 years old, with a strong focus on modern communications, marketing, and youth policies.

I completed my secondary education at Yoan Ekzarh Foreign Language High School, specialising in Graphic Design, where I developed my creative thinking, aesthetic sense, and visual culture. My interest in strategic process management and analytical understanding of consumer behaviour led me to the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), where I am currently continuing my academic development in the field of Marketing.

My professional journey began in 2025 as part of the team at Youth Center – Vratsa, initially as an intern. Thanks to my motivation, initiative, and adaptability, I gradually progressed to the position of Educational Mediator. In this role, I combine my skills in visual communication, my analytical approach gained through marketing studies, and my direct work with young people to support their social integration, personal development, and active civic engagement.

Био за дадения служител

Under project BGLD – 1.003 – 0004 “Youth Center Vratsa – a factor for the development of Northwestern Bulgaria” under the program “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups”, funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021.
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