On June 24, 2025, the implementation of the new project "Youth Internships" aimed at young people aged 16 to 29 was started. The aim of the project is to provide opportunities for professional development and the acquisition of practical skills through participation in a real work environment.

The project is aimed at unemployed, inactive, and job-seeking individuals, including students who wish to be employed during their free time outside of school. Its main objective is to support their labor integration and social inclusion by providing opportunities to gain professional experience and develop skills in a real work environment.

The project is also suitable for refugees who are looking for opportunities to enter the labor market and wish to gain practical experience in a supportive and realistic working environment.

✅ Who can participate?

To participate in the project, you must meet the following conditions:

•    You must be between 16 and 29 years of age;

•    You must not be employed in any way;

•    If you are inactive or unemployed, you must not be enrolled in any form of education (full-time, part-time, distance learning, evening classes) or participate in professional training;

•    At the time of enrolment in the project, you must not be funded in any way for the same activity under other projects or programs;

•    At the time of enrolment, you must have been inactive or unemployed for at least 4 consecutive weeks, including cumulatively (e.g. 1 week of inactivity + 3 weeks of unemployment);

•    You must meet all the conditions at the start of the internship.

💼 What does the project offer?

• Opportunity for paid internship with a real employer, under the guidance of a mentor;

• Conclusion of a fixed-term employment contract – full-time or part-time;

• Remuneration equal to the minimum wage for the country;

• Additional daily allowance for transportation:

               o 2.00 BGN – if the place of work is in the same town where you live;

               o 7.00 BGN – if you work in a different town;

• Possibility of permanent employment – the employer receives financial support for social security contributions when concluding a permanent contract with a candidate who has successfully completed an internship;

• Maximum duration of the internship: up to 6 months, including with more than one employer;

• Acquisition of real professional skills and work experience.

📄 How to apply?

• Visit the Labor Office in your place of residence and submit an application (the file is attached at the bottom of the page) to participate in the project.

💼 Why should you participate in the project as an employer?

Participation in the project provides you with the following benefits:

• Coverage of the remuneration costs for young people from the target group – in the amount of one minimum wage (MW) for the country, as well as the social security contributions payable by the employer for the duration of the internship;

• Financial incentive for concluding a permanent employment contract with a participant in the internship – reimbursement of social security contributions at the expense of the employer for a period of 6 months;

• Mentor remuneration costs – employers receive funds amounting to ½ of the MW for each month in which the mentor has assisted young employees (with a minimum of 40 reported hours);

• 📄 How to apply?

Employers submit an application and the relevant attachments via the Secure Electronic Delivery System (SSEV) to the Labor Office Directorate at the location of the workplace where the Project activities will be carried out.

👉More information about the Employment Agency's programs can be found here