The International Youth Centre in Stara Zagora is the first centre in Bulgaria which was awarded the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres in 2017. Following the community priorities in the youth sector, the team of the centre initiated the establishment of a municipal Youth Development Strategy for the period 2021-2027. Representatives from local youth organisations, university professors and experts from Stara Zagora Municipality took part in the development of the document.

The Youth Development Strategy reflects the priorities of the national and European youth development policies enshrined in the European Youth Strategy, the Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions, the National Youth Strategy and the National Youth Program of Bulgaria.

The Stara Zagora Municipal Strategy for Youth Development for the period 2021-2027 and the activities for its implementation will be means to fulfil a leading priority in the program of the Government of Bulgaria, namely - promoting and supporting the personal development of young people, their active involvement and participation in the socio-economic life of the state and its municipalities.