► For the second consecutive year, the team of Can You Association has been implementing the “Young Entrepreneurs” program in partnership with Champions Factory – an initiative focused on developing financial literacy, entrepreneurial thinking, and key life skills among young people.

The program aims to inspire and support students aged 15–18 from all over Bulgaria by helping them build confidence, practical skills, and a better understanding of the world of finance, business, and personal responsibility. Instead of dry theory, the training focuses on real-life situations, practical tasks, and experiential learning.

► During the 2025/2026 academic year, 9th-grade students from the National School of Culture (NUFA) took part in the program, participating in a series of interactive sessions, discussions, teamwork activities, and practical exercises designed to develop real skills for their future.



► During the trainings, students worked on topics such as:

• banks and banking services
• budgeting and personal finance management
• types of accounts and expenses
• social security contributions and financial responsibility
• personal budget management
• making informed financial decisions

In addition to financial literacy, the program also places a strong focus on entrepreneurial thinking – the ability to identify opportunities, create solutions, and turn ideas into real actions.

► Students also explored topics such as:

• how to create a business idea
• what ethical business means
• how to build a sustainable business model
• leadership and teamwork
• creativity and problem-solving
• personal development and goal-setting

► Business Challenge – The Grand Finale

The culmination of the program was the Business Challenge – a practical final task in which students had to present their own business plan and demonstrate how an idea can be transformed into a real project.
The goal of the challenge was not simply to write a business plan, but to think realistically – about market needs, customers, product value, and opportunities for implementation.

The young entrepreneurs presented a variety of impressive ideas, including:

• online platforms for reselling clothes
• creating and selling personalized keychains and stickers
• homemade sweets and desserts
• reselling used but well-preserved ski equipment
• tourist tours around Sofia

The most inspiring part was that some of the students not only developed an idea but also actually started implementing it – first sales, first clients, and first steps toward their own business.

Winners – WearUp
The winners of this year’s Business Challenge were WearUp – a modern online business for clothes and accessories, aimed at young people looking for stylish and trendy items at affordable prices.

Why This Program Matters
The program builds not only knowledge but also confidence – the confidence that young people can succeed, make decisions, and create opportunities for themselves.
For us at Can You Association, this is the most valuable result – seeing students move from “I have an idea” to “I can do it.”
That is exactly where real entrepreneurship begins.