Maria Petkova, Director of Tulip Foundation presented a resume of the brochure Solidarity between Generation – The Road to Future, published by a coalition of networks of civil organisations in the European Union. The coalition comprises the European Youth Forum, the European Women’s Lobby, AGE Platform Europe, Eurochild, European Anti-Poverty Network, COFACE – Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union and other European coalitions of civil organisation. The publication discuses different dimensions of the solidarity between the generations in the context of poverty and social exclusion; family policies; educational policies; environment and sustainable housing and urban development; Transport and mobility; pension systems; healthcare and long-term care; citizen initiatives.

The participants shared their experience from various initiatives and activities based on encouraging the solidarity between generations – trainings, meetings, joint activities, competitions, celebrations and concerts. Similar to the examples of good practices in EU member countries, considerable part of the shared activities and events were realised by volunteers. The participating organisations gathered around the opinion that volunteering in Bulgaria needs to be regulated. Volunteering is an expression of free will but it should not be left without recognition and status. Volunteers need and deserve support from volunteer organisations, the state and the business.