In August 2026, representatives of Zaedno Association from Prague, Czech Republic, took part in a job-shadowing mobility at the Regional Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The activity was part of an international Erasmus+ project aimed at strengthening the professional competences of the association’s team and improving the quality of its educational programmes for adults and the general public.

The project, entitled “Building the Capacity of Zaedno Association and Improving the Quality of Educational Offers for Adults and the General Public”, provided participants with an opportunity to learn from museum professionals and educators and explore different approaches to presenting traditional Bulgarian culture, crafts and cultural heritage to contemporary audiences.

During the mobility, participants observed the daily work of museum staff and educators, focusing on the preparation and delivery of educational activities for adults and older people, as well as approaches to engaging local communities. Particular attention was paid to creative and artistic methods, hands-on learning and the integration of traditional crafts into contemporary educational programmes.

Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue were also important themes throughout the programme. Participants explored how cultural heritage can serve not only as a means of preserving and sharing knowledge about the past, but also as a way to bring people together, encourage mutual understanding and promote active participation in shared activities.

The connection between traditional practices and sustainability was another important source of inspiration. Working with natural materials and incorporating traditional crafts into educational activities offered new ideas for developing programmes that combine culture, creativity and environmental responsibility.

The knowledge and experience gained during the mobility will support the further development of Zaedno Association’s educational and cultural activities in the Czech Republic. The newly acquired ideas and practical insights are expected to enrich its programmes and expand opportunities for non-formal adult education and learning activities for the general public.

About Zaedno Association

Zaedno Association is a non-profit organisation based in Prague, Czech Republic. It works with children, young people, schools, institutions and the general public, promoting intercultural understanding, positive attitudes towards cultural diversity and the inclusion of people from different cultural backgrounds.

The organisation places particular emphasis on presenting and preserving minority cultures and languages, especially Bulgarian culture, as its core includes members of the Bulgarian minority in Czechia. Zaedno develops a variety of educational and cultural programmes and workshops, using non-formal education methods, arts, traditions and cultural heritage to encourage learning and participation.

The association is also an established publisher of the multilingual magazine Kamarádi and other educational materials, available online at www.kamaradi.eu.