Application of à french model of sociocultural animation at adolescents` leisure time

Sociocultural animation is an intriguing topic, one which is still insufficiently covered and studied by Pedagogical science; it is an area which is mostly being developed in practice. This paper aims to draw attention to the potential in using sociocultural animation as a means in the designing and implementation of pedagogical projects targeted at adolescents and their leisure time. The paper will outline the pedagogical project implementation model used by the author, namely, intercultural youth exchange, which has a very topical educational objective: overcoming of stereotypic thinking and formation of interest in diversity, multiculturalism and intercultural sensitivity. The model presented is being used in sociocultural animators’ training and practical work in France. It has been used as a basis and has been adapted by the author of this paper to correspond to the specifics of the target group of Bulgarian adolescents and to the needs of the educational projects intended for their leisure time. This model which has the characteristics of sociocultural animation was used by the author for the preparation and implementation of 9 international youth exchanges which took place in the period from 2008 to 2015. These exchange projects involved 57 teenagers aged 13 to 19 – students from the High School in the town of Buhovo, Bulgaria.