For the first time, Green Transition Forum 6.0: Europe’s Next Chapter – Competitive. Innovative. Secure. June 1 – 5, 2026, Sofia, introduces a dedicated space for young people. The three-day GTF Youth Forum will be held from June 3 to 5. In the Green Transition Podcast studio on dir.bg, Diana Alexandrova and Monika Yosifova from the forum’s organizing team revealed the program and objectives of this new youth format.
Involving young people in discussions about the future often appears cliché, yet the organizers believe a different approach is needed. “Young people are always said to be our future. In fact, they are both part of the future and the present,” said Monika Yosifova.
This logic fuels the establishment of the GTF Youth Forum, where young people aren’t merely spectators but active contributors to discussions and decisions. Diana Alexandrova emphasizes this unique approach: “This isn’t an event to speak at young people, but a space where they join politicians, opinion leaders, experts, and businesses to discuss pertinent topics.”
The program embodies this participatory philosophy. Under the motto Empowering Future Changemakers, it includes discussions, lectures, interactive formats like workshops, Q&A sessions, mentoring panels, and networking opportunities to foster participation and exchange.
Topics address real challenges faced by young people today—financial literacy, entrepreneurship, future skills, education’s link to the labor market, mental health, and physical culture. It also highlights innovation, AI, leadership, and the future economy.
Practical skills are another focal point, covering CV preparation, building a LinkedIn profile, what employers seek, and the evolving work environment.
A session on influencership will explore whether influencers can affect policies and the responsibilities of loud social media voices, notes Alexandrova.
The forum also questions intergenerational communication. “Is there a gap? Yes, definitely,” Yosifova states, introducing a panel on generational clashes and their diverse expectations. She believes active dialogue is essential to bridging this gap.
Monika Yosifova announced three pitching sessions for business ideas within the forum. During “Pitch Games,” participants present bold start-up ideas, with the audience choosing the best. Another session will cover listing a company on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange.
Participation is free for those aged 16 to 30. Supported by the Center for Human Resources Development, young people from various cities and even European countries can join, with Erasmus+ covering transportation and accommodation costs. Applications are open until April 10.
Continuing its tradition, the event includes volunteers in its organization. Over 100 individuals are expected this year—including students and young people from Bulgaria and abroad. “Volunteers are part of our team,” states Diana Alexandrova, highlighting their access to all discussions and participants. To volunteer, one can apply via the Green Transition Forum website.
By expanding the format, the Green Transition Forum aims to engage the generation increasingly seeking involvement in economy, sustainability, innovation, and future-oriented topics.
Ad Notem: The sixth edition of the Green Transition Forum will take place in Sofia from June 1 to 5, 2026, under the motto “Europe’s Next Chapter – Competitive. Innovative. Secure”.
Organized by Dir.bg, Bulgaria’s largest digital media portal, the forum is an influential European platform where political leaders, European institutions, businesses, and global partners converge to shape the continent’s transformation.
Historically, the event has attracted over 20,000 participants and 1,200+ speakers from 40 countries, providing a space for dialogue that integrates economic ambitions, sustainable investments, and European unity.
The Green Transition Forum stands out not only for its scale but its spirit—open, visionary, and deeply European.
The 2026 edition focuses on Europe’s new strategic agenda, examining how the EU can translate long-term priorities into tangible actions by enhancing competitiveness, driving innovation, and ensuring security in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Illustrative Photo by CaptainFrank_: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-fields-18050477/
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