New European Bauhaus Education Champions 2023

Limited social and job prospects cause youth alienation and migration: in 2010-2016, nearly 10% of people aged 15-25 left Ruse. Trade school students, in particular, are even more excluded from public life and professional development, and they distrust local institutions. The system of vocational schools no longer adequately corresponds to the labour market. Despite their skills these students face obstacles in their career paths; they need more mentorship and they lack civic competences. On the other hand the symbol of Ruse - the Danube river - is largely disconnected from the city, even though it has the potential to once again become a source for social and cultural activities, tourism, and connection to nature.

The Danube Design Lab employs placemaking as a creative mechanism to integrate vocational students and their skills both into the urban and the social fabric of their city. Аs a result of the project, Ruse Municipality included the creation of active public space for sports, art, social activities, and tourism on the riverbank as a goal in its Plan for Integrated Development of the Municipality 2021-2027. The municipality plans to apply for European funds to help realise this goal. The Danube Design Lab has also united a wide network of local stakeholders, activists, artists, businesses, and NGOs, creating an active community for urban and civic development around the initiative.