Bulgaria and North Macedonia: Career Development and Inclusion

Author: Krasimira Dimitrova, Euroguidance Bulgaria

An international seminar titled "Career Development and Inclusion" was held in Ohrid from 5 to 7 March 2025, organised jointly by the Euroguidance networks of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

The aim of the seminar was to bring together career counsellors from across the educational spectrum — from primary education to universities — who are actively engaged in career guidance, inclusion and support for vulnerable groups in the educational process.

. The main objectives of the event were:

• To exchange knowledge and promote good practices in the field of career guidance between both countries;
• To promote cross-border cooperation in professional development;
• To foster inclusion of marginalized and minority groups, including persons with disabilities;
• To enhance youth employability through shared initiatives in skills training, mentoring, and career guidance.

The event drew the following main conclusions:

• Inclusive career guidance must be tailored to local realities. While both countries face common challenges, solutions must be context-specific, reflecting regional labor market needs and social dynamics.
• Strong partnerships between civil society, education institutions, and public authorities are essential. Effective inclusion and career development require coordinated action across sectors and borders.

The shared knowledge was in the direction of how to:

• Develop targeted interventions that support vulnerable groups in accessing education, vocational training, and sustainable employment.
• Establish regional collaboration networks for exchanging best practices, tools, and methodologies in inclusive guidance.
• Develop projects, mainly through the Erasmus+ Programme that address the needs of career counselors in both countries

The event catalysed dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, laying the foundations for future joint projects in the field of career development and social inclusion. It raised awareness of the importance of employment equity and provided a platform for sharing innovations that can bridge national and regional gaps in access to opportunities.

Discussions at the event took an in-depth look at new trends in career counselling, shedding light on how the field is evolving to meet the needs of a dynamic job market. Participants explored tailored approaches to career guidance, taking into account the diverse needs of different occupational sectors and social groups - such as youth, adults transitioning through careers, and individuals with disabilities or from marginalized backgrounds. The focus was on sharing best practices, innovative tools and methodologies that promote equal access to career services. Significant emphasis was also placed on strategies for sustainable inclusion of vulnerable populations, ensuring that career counselling contributes meaningfully to social inclusion and equal opportunities.

In addition to the exchange of national practices, presentations on the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ programme were also given at the event. Delegates from both countries presented successful Erasmus+ funded projects in the field of career guidance. These case studies highlighted how transnational cooperation and EU support have increased the capacity of career development services, fostered innovation and facilitated the cross-border exchange of knowledge and experience

The seminar contributed to the development of more cohesive and effective career guidance systems in Bulgaria and North Macedonia.  Useful digital career platforms were presented that offer personalized career assessments, virtual counselling and tailored labour market information. In terms of support for vulnerable groups, good examples of targeted mentoring and internship programmes for disadvantaged young people were presented to help them gain practical experience and build professional networks.