Hello! My name is Nikola Ivanov. I am 19 years old and I have graduated from 125 SU “Boyan Penev” with humanitarian studies. I’ve been interested in listening, making and sharing music for a few years now, and I’ve been actively maintaining a forum with over 250 people since the last few months.

Have you volunteered before? Tell us about where you are volunteering for this project.

Before joining the Foundation 42/ Channel 4 team, I did not participate in any other volunteer initiatives. The atmosphere in the studio is very pleasant. So far I have participated in two columns and the people from both are pleasant company from whom you can learn a lot about all different things. The working environment has changed after renovation and is now much more professional. The equipment is always reliable and available there.

What motivated you to apply for this project?

My motivation was mostly about supporting the visions and ideas of Channel 4. I wanted to help build the channel’s visual identity.

Tell us about your experience as a volunteer – what were your main tasks, what did you learn about yourself, what new skills did you develop, how did volunteering change you?

At the beginning of my volunteering, I learned how to run the channel’s recordings, which involved working with equipment that I had no previous experience with (cameras, sound recorders, lighting, and audio and video processing for a podcast). After a few weeks I was able to record entire videos myself. I also developed my social skills and realized that I could host a similar podcast without a problem.

What challenges did you face during the project?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced is overcoming the anxiety of going in front of a group of people and speaking or taking pictures. Mostly in group meetings to refine the project.

What is your favorite moment of volunteering?

One of my favorite moments during the project is traveling to record to different halls, offices, studios and meeting new people in their environment and hearing their stories.

What would you say to young people to motivate them to volunteer?

There is no reason not to volunteer at least once in your life. Sometimes this experience can determine the direction of your professional development even if you dedicate one day a week to it. You can learn directly about the field you want to do without going in deep from the beginning. In short, volunteering is a good first step for your development.

What awaits you after the end of the project? What do you have planned for the future?

After the end of the project, I will probably mix my experience with social networks, my interest in music and video creation to make educational material on this topic. Participation in other similar projects also applies.

Follow our website and our Facebook and Instagram profiles for current opportunities and offers!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the content, which reflects the views of the authors alone, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.