National Student Parliament (NSP)

The work on the establishment of the National Student Parliament (NSP) commenced in 2018 as a key component in students-led response to trends of alienation of student councils from decision-making processes. It was primarily led by representatives of the student parliament of the Plovdiv Language High School. After the First National Meeting of Student Councils and Parliaments in 2022 when the organization was formally established, began a period of rapid growth and development, in terms of scope, capacity, membership and influence. At first and today, the National Student Parliament counts on the support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bulgaria Association for funding and logistics. The project has since met broad support from a number of organisations, including the National Youth Forum of Bulgaria, with which it collaborates on advocacy campaigns and initiatives.

In 2023, the first Executive Board was elected by their peers in a first-of-a-kind nationwide online election. The Executive Board, made up entirely of students, represents students before the institutions at local, national and international level, advocating for their rights to accessible and modern education and meaningful democratic participation.

The NSP has 183 members, school student councils, which represent over 110000 students nationwide.

The National Student Parliament is an independent platform which unites student councils and parliaments from across Bulgaria and represents students at a local, national and international level. The Parliament strives to motivate students to take the initiative and participate in the change and improvement of education and the learning environment with their ideas and recommendations, providing them with the necessary platform for effective dialogue with institutions. As an organisation that aims to improve student representation and encourage democratic participation, the National Student Parliament is led by students, directly elected by their peers and the  communities they represent.

The main efforts of the National Student Parliament are focused on promoting student representation at all levels, the establishment, development and support of regional student councils, and advocating on a variety of topics, including a more accessible and modern educational system and a more ambitious Erasmus+ Programme.

• Providing a platform for students to express their ideas and concerns and present their ideas to the institutions on the local,  national and international level in the form of in-person and online consultations;
• Raising awareness regarding the importance of student self-governance and supporting school student councils;
• Supporting the establishment, development and ongoing efforts of regional student councils;
• Events and trainings for school students on democratic participation, student representation and self-governance;
• Cooperating with other non-governmental organisations in the field of education and youth rights.