Although there were already plenty of playgrounds and sports fields in the city of Shumen, there remained no place for youth to make new friends, to create, or just to relax in an inspiring environment. Driven by the idea to create and cherish such a place, in 2018 a group of activists from the Municipality Youth Council came up with an idea for a placemaking project that would bring people together, provide them with a space to enjoy the greenery of a park, and to play guitar with friends. The idea did not go unnoticed, and they soon found funding through The_Spot project initiated on the national level in Bulgaria by BG Be Active.

A local design studio prepared the concept of a wooden dome, while local volunteers and activists worked together to build it. Since then, Youth Sphere has risen up as a cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.

The area is located in the park next to a major boulevard, and connects several important areas, including several schools, churches, and historical monuments. A high number of people of different age and background pass through the space daily to enjoy walking, running, or socializing. It also serves as an attraction point for tourists, who make up about 20% of all visitors.

The Youth Sphere has animated the surrounding area, and new street lighting and security cameras have made the park more secure. Local activists and volunteers always make sure the place is clean and safe.

The space is open daily and accessible to anyone who wishes to use it for an event or initiative. It serves as a public library with more than 1,000 books, as a stage for concerts featuring local and national local bands, and as a platform for workshops and education seminars. The managers of the space have created a website and Facebook page for the Sphere, and anyone can book the space for free. Local youth and other residents have also donated a great deal of things, like books and musical instruments, to keep the space filled with culture and inspiration.

Created by people and for people through the collaboration of many different groups, the Youth Sphere has become a truly inspiring area and a source of pride. At the end of the project, 97% of the local residents described feeling content with the outcome, while 87% stated that they would like to engage in similar initiatives in the future.

Youth Sphere Homepage

Youth Sphere Facebook Page