Introduction
In Bansko, Bulgaria, young people, digital nomads, and creative mentors are working together in projects that redefine education. The MaNaBu Movement, born from a girl’s curiosity in Malta, shows that global opportunities can grow anywhere – even in small mountain towns.
It doesn’t start in a skyscraper in New York or at a shiny conference in Silicon Valley. It begins with a simple idea and the curiosity of a 9-year-old girl in Malta. She was born there, lived there, and often traveled to explore new places with her father. One day, she saw on BBC how young people in Albania struggled to find work and felt something deeply unfair about it. Her name was Maya. She asked a question that made adults pause:
“Why aren’t there more ways for us to work with the world, even if we stay here?”
That question sparked the creation of the MaNaBu Movement – a U.S.-based non-profit organization building bridges between children, youth, and the world. The name MaNaBu comes from the Japanese word 学ぶ (manabu), meaning to learn. Learning – not only in the classroom but throughout life – is the movement’s heartbeat.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Many of us grew up with a linear idea of education: go to school, graduate, get a job.
But the world has changed. Technology now allows people to collaborate across borders, and employers value creativity, communication, and problem-solving as much as formal qualifications.
This is where MaNaBu Movement stands apart. It is built on the belief that education is a lifelong adventure – and that young people should be exposed to real-world challenges and global collaboration now, not later.
The movement creates programs that blend knowledge with hands-on experience, giving participants the skills and confidence to take action.
From Idea to Reality – The Youth Virtual Assistance Program
One of MaNaBu Movement’s most successful initiatives is the Youth Virtual Assistance Program.
Its mission is simple yet powerful: to provide young people – especially in the Balkans – with the tools to work online as virtual assistants, freelancers, or entrepreneurs.
How it works:
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Online training: Self-paced courses with videos, audio, worksheets, and exercises.
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Mentorship: Experienced professionals from around the world provide guidance, feedback, and personal insights.
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Networking: Participants join a global community, enabling collaborations and job opportunities long after the course ends.
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Flexibility: Designed so that participants can study alongside school or other commitments.
The program’s pilot was held in Tirana, in partnership with TUMO Tirana and Virtual Excellence Academy. It later expanded to Kosovo with support from GIZ Kosova, funded by the German government.
The results have been transformative: young people who once saw limited prospects in their hometowns are now working with international clients, launching projects, and earning incomes remotely.
MaNaBu Movement in Bansko – Local Power, Global Reach
Although global in scope, MaNaBu Movement is deeply rooted in the communities it works with. One of its most inspiring examples is Bansko, Bulgaria – a place better known for ski slopes and digital nomads than for youth empowerment projects.
An AI Workshop That Sparked Curiosity
On October 9, 2023, an AI session was held at Nestwork Coworking in Bansko. Led by AI expert Arta Statovci, the workshop welcomed children, teens, parents, and local professionals.
Participants explored how AI could be applied in creative and practical ways – from generating stories and images to supporting daily work and entrepreneurship.
For many attendees, it was the first time AI felt like a tool they could actively use rather than a distant, abstract technology.
The Film Mentoring Project – Lights, Camera, Empowerment
In January 2024, Bansko became home to the Film Mentoring Project (FMP) Youth Program. This initiative brought together young participants from Bulgaria, Australia, and Germany to learn every step of the filmmaking process – from concept and scriptwriting to shooting and editing.
The project was led by filmmaker Lara Olbeter, with technical support from Leica and organizational support from MaNaBu Movement.
The goal went beyond technical training: it was about giving young people the confidence to tell their own stories. Participants graduated with MNBM certification, enhancing their prospects for international opportunities.
Why Bansko?
Bansko is already recognized as a hub for digital nomads, but MaNaBu Movement brings a new dimension – empowering local youth to access global opportunities without leaving their hometown.
It’s not just education; it’s a model for how small communities can keep their young talent while opening doors to the world.
Learning with Heart
What makes MaNaBu Movement unique isn’t just the skills it teaches, but how it teaches them.
Programs are designed to be playful, creative, and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on values such as empathy, collaboration, and sustainability.
In the founders’ own words:
“We don’t just build skills. We build people who can change the world.”
Global Perspective – Local Footprint
Though registered in the U.S., MaNaBu’s heart often beats in smaller communities – in Malta, Tirana, Pristina, and now Bansko.
Through digital technology, young people in Bulgaria connect with mentors in Canada, clients in Australia, and collaborators in Japan.
The impact flows both ways:
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Local communities grow stronger when youth contribute economically from home.
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The world gains fresh perspectives and creative solutions from voices rarely heard on the global stage.
From Individuals to a Movement
One of the most remarkable aspects is how quickly MaNaBu Movement has evolved from a single project into a genuine movement.
Today, many participants become ambassadors, mentors, and project leaders themselves.
As one former participant in Kosovo explained:
“I thought I had to leave my country to have a future. Now I have clients in three countries and keep learning new things every week. I’m staying here – but working with the world.”
Challenges and Lessons
Like any bold initiative, MaNaBu Movement faces challenges:
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Digital infrastructure: In some regions, internet access and equipment remain limited.
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Skepticism: Parents and schools can sometimes resist unconventional educational models.
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Funding: As a non-profit, MaNaBu depends on sponsorships, grants, and partnerships.
These obstacles have shaped the movement into a flexible, resourceful organization that adapts to local realities while keeping global ambitions.
A Future Built on Curiosity
Ask the founders what drives them, and they will tell you: curiosity.
Curiosity about how young people can turn ideas into action.
Curiosity about how cultures can collaborate.
Curiosity about what learning looks like in a digital, connected world.
It’s a philosophy that perfectly matches the Japanese word manabu: learning as a way of life.
Why It Matters
In an era of high youth unemployment, outdated school systems, and global uncertainty, MaNaBu Movement offers a practical, hopeful model:
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Young people gain modern skills.
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Communities keep their brightest minds.
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The global economy benefits from new voices and ideas.
Most importantly, it shows young people that their work matters – no matter where they live.
How to Get Involved
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Become a mentor – share your expertise with program participants.
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Donate – fund training, tools, and technology for more young people.
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Partner with the movement – offer internships, projects, or tech support.
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Spread the word – tell MaNaBu’s story in your community.
Conclusion
Change doesn’t always start in grand halls of power.
Sometimes it begins in a small home in Malta, with a young girl’s question.
And sometimes that question grows into a movement connecting young people from ski towns like Bansko to the far corners of the world.
MaNaBu Movement proves that when learning is shared, it multiplies. And when communities combine local care with global vision, the result is nothing short of transformation.
By Chris...
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