More than 50 people took part in the motivational meetings and discussions organised by PULSE Foundation – Kardzhali branch, under the project “Path to Knowledge: Literacy and Opportunities for Adults in Kardzhali”, funded by the “Education” Programme 2021–2027.
In October 2026, the foundation’s team held a series of meetings with local residents and potential participants in the upcoming literacy courses. The initiatives covered the villages of Stremtsi, Tri Mogili, Stremovo, Yastreb and Sokolyane, as well as three open-door days at the office of PULSE Foundation in Kardzhali.
The main aim of the meetings was to encourage people over 16 who need to improve their literacy and education to take the first step towards continuing their education.
On 6 October, a motivational meeting was held at the “Ognishte 1944” community centre in the village of Stremtsi. On 9 October, the team visited the villages of Tri Mogili and Stremovo, and on 13 October meetings were organised with residents of Yastreb and Sokolyane. The motivational work continued on 21, 22 and 23 October with three open-door days in Kardzhali, which allowed for more in-depth conversations and individual consultations.
The motivational meetings focused on working directly with potential participants – on their personal needs, expectations and concerns about returning to education.
During the discussions, the team presented the opportunities to join free courses in literacy and in acquiring competencies from the lower-secondary stage – grades 5, 6 and 7. The benefits of gaining new knowledge and skills, the opportunities for better professional fulfilment and the support participants can receive under the project were discussed.
The meetings showed that the decision to return to education is often linked to much more than the desire to learn.
In conversations with local residents, a number of social and economic difficulties stood out – long-term unemployment, low incomes, limited access to healthcare services and the depopulation of small settlements. For some people, everyday problems and the need to earn a living remain the top priority, and education is seen as an opportunity they can hardly afford.
Others shared concerns about whether they would cope with the learning material, how they would combine training with family and work commitments, and what the conditions for participation are. There was also caution about providing personal data, which underlined the need for clear information, an individual approach and trust-building.
These conversations confirmed that behind initial lack of interest there are often insecurity, accumulated life difficulties and a lack of confidence in one’s own abilities.
This is precisely why motivational work is an essential part of the project. It makes it possible not only to present the training, but also to understand the reasons that keep people from taking part, to discuss possible solutions and to encourage confidence that gaining an education is an achievable goal.
The individual conversations were of particular importance, as participants could freely ask their questions and receive explanations tailored to their specific situation. The open-door days in Kardzhali complemented this work by providing a calm setting for more direct contact with the team and for discussing the opportunities to join the courses.
The meetings in the small settlements were carried out with the support of local mayoralties and community representatives. Their participation is important for reaching people who, because of social, economic or geographical difficulties, have limited access to educational opportunities.
The motivational meetings held are an important step in the process of identifying, motivating and supporting potential participants in the literacy courses. They gave the team valuable feedback on people’s real needs and on the barriers that must be overcome to ensure wider access to education.
PULSE Foundation will continue its work with local communities and potential participants, focusing on personal motivation, trust-building and support for joining the educational process.
Because education is not just the acquisition of knowledge. It is an opportunity for greater independence, confidence, better professional fulfilment and a new beginning. And the first step towards that change often begins with a conversation.
This publication was created under Contract BG05SFPR001-1.007-0003-C01 “Path to Knowledge: Literacy and Opportunities for Adults in Kardzhali”, co-funded by the European Union under procedure BG05SFPR001-1.007 Adult Literacy (through selection) of the “Education” Programme 2021-2027. Sole responsibility for the content of the publication lies with PULSE Foundation, and it can under no circumstances be taken to reflect the official position of the European Union and the “Education” Programme.