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GAZE+BO

Global Eyes on Local Lives

 

Welcome aboard GAZE+BO – Global Eyes on Local Lives, ICDET’s community-based interaction hub. This is the space where the international meets the local, where Bulgaria is not just observed but experienced, and where strangers become neighbors, friends, and collaborators.

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GAZE+BO was created out of a simple but powerful belief: you cannot truly discover a country unless you meet its people. That is why this hub invites our international volunteers, interns, and youth participants to step out of the classroom and project bubble and into the daily rhythm of Bulgarian life.

 

Here, learning is not about PowerPoints or textbooks — it is about walking through local markets, sharing meals in family kitchens, painting murals on city walls, and listening to stories told by grandparents under the shade of a tree. It is education rooted in real encounters, real traditions, and real conversations.​

Through GAZE+BO activities, participants learn solidarity by cleaning a park alongside neighbours, discover resilience by hearing life stories from elders, celebrate diversity at festivals, and experience creativity in community art projects. They are not tourists passing by; they are active contributors to local life, leaving behind not only memories but also friendships, impact, and inspiration.

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GAZE+BO transforms passive observation into active involvement, building bridges of understanding, cooperation, and belonging. It is where international youth feel at home abroad, and where local communities open their doors and hearts to the world.

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This is not just about seeing Bulgaria. It is about living it together.

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What is GAZE+BO?

 

GAZE+BO is a structured yet flexible platform for meaningful exchange between international participants and the Bulgarian community.

 

It is not only about observing culture — it is about building relationships through shared experiences. Whether it’s a neighbourhood walk, a village celebration, or a mural on a city wall, GAZE+BO ensures that international youth don’t just visit Bulgaria — they become part of it.

Objectives

 

  • Promote intercultural learning & community integration

  • Encourage meaningful interaction between international youth and locals

  • Build lasting connections beyond project timelines

  • Support non-formal learning in real-world environments

  • Empower youth to understand local challenges, values, and traditions

Local Action Days

Community service with a local twist.


International youth team up with residents to take care of shared spaces while learning how communities organize themselves.​​

  • Cleaning and improving parks, gardens, or playgrounds

  • Mapping markets, neighborhoods, or hidden cultural spots

  • Joining local initiatives like waste sorting, green actions, and space renewal
    These activities show that even small actions can build big bonds of solidarity.​​​

Meet the Elders

Generations sharing wisdom.​​

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  • Storytelling circles with elders sharing local history and journeys

  • Recording oral histories and life interviews for community archives

  • Learning traditional crafts, songs, or folklore

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This builds bridges between generations and preserves heritage for the future.

Home & Heritage

Culture through food and tradition.


Participants discover Bulgarian heritage at its heart — in homes, kitchens, and family businesses.

Cooking and sharing meals with local families

  • Learning traditional recipes and their stories

  • Visiting family shops, farms, or workshops


 This creates bonds through everyday life and highlights the richness of Bulgarian hospitality.​

​Gaze Diaries

Stories through youth eyes.


International participants reflect on their experiences by documenting real Bulgaria in creative formats.

  • Photo essays of local life

  • Short video diaries or vlogs of daily discoveries

  • Digital exhibitions combining images, interviews, and reflections


The Diaries preserve memories and share authentic perspectives beyond the project.

Cultural Pop-Ups

Festivals without borders.
International participants don’t just attend — they join in or co-host cultural celebrations.​

  • Dancing at local festivals or playing traditional games

  • Helping organize parades, fairs, or concerts

  • Sharing their own culture in exchange (music, dance, food)

 

These spontaneous moments create joy, inclusion, and cultural understanding.​​​

​​Create Together

Art as a common language.
Youth and locals collaborate on artistic projects that leave a visible mark on the community.​

  • Painting murals that express local identity

  • Designing green spaces or youth corners together

  • Hosting workshops in art, music, or theatre

 

 Creativity becomes a tool for dialogue, teamwork, and pride in community.

Community Spotlight

 

A living gallery where participants and locals collect and display traditions.

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  • Photos of local customs, crafts, and heritage sites.

  • Exhibits of handmade crafts, embroidery, pottery.

  • Recordings of songs, recipes, and folklore for future generations.

Idea Garden

 

A co-creation space where international and local youth brainstorm solutions together.

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  • Developing small community projects.

  • Sharing skills (e.g. coding workshop from internationals, cooking class from locals).

  • Building a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Voices of the Community

 

Open mic for locals and internationals to share stories, experiences, and reflections.

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  • Testimonies from young volunteers and residents.

  • Mini-podcasts co-produced with E+Media4Youth.

  • A digital archive of authentic voices from Bulgaria.

Future Together

 

A vision zone where locals and internationals imagine the future of the community.

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  • Dream walls with messages and ideas for the next generation.

  • Youth-led workshops designing future projects.

  • Commitment pledges for long-term collaboration.

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