The national initiative “Manager for a Day” returns on October 22, 2026, focusing on digital skills, technology, and young people’s readiness for the labour market.

In recent years, “Manager for a Day” has established itself as one of the largest national initiatives connecting young people with businesses and institutions. Over the course of a single day, school and university students have the opportunity to step into real job roles, meet professionals from various fields, and gain practical skills that are difficult to acquire in the classroom alone.
The previous edition achieved record-breaking results: over 1,200 young people from across the country participated, filling more than 600 positions, while the number of institutional partners exceeded 100. Participants included the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Speaker of the National Assembly, numerous municipalities and municipal councils, the National Revenue Agency, universities, companies, and prominent public figures.

These results demonstrate not only the scale of the initiative but also the growing need for a closer link between education and the real world of work.

“From Digital Skills to Leadership Solutions”

The 24th edition of “Manager for a Day,” organized by Junior Achievement Bulgaria, will take place on October 22, 2026.
This year, the initiative will run under the motto “From Digital Skills to Leadership Solutions,” focusing on one of the most critical challenges facing young people: the development of practical digital competencies, which have become an integral part of almost every profession. Participants will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with real-world digital tools and platforms used daily in modern business—ranging from CRM systems and specialised business platforms to AI-driven solutions and tools such as Workday, Salesforce, and others.

Digital transformation is reshaping not only how we work but also the skills employers seek. The ability to use technology effectively, work with data and digital platforms, and leverage artificial intelligence as a decision-making tool is increasingly becoming a fundamental prerequisite for career success.

Therefore, “Manager for a Day 2026” will focus not merely on digital literacy, but on how digital tools can foster critical thinking, an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and decision-making capabilities.

Business as a partner in preparing the next generation

Company participation in “Manager for a Day” offers an opportunity to showcase their operations and professional environment while directly investing in the development of the future workforce.

For one day, young people gain an insider’s view of how an organisation functions, how decisions are made, how technology supports daily tasks, and what skills are required to succeed in a specific profession.

For businesses, it is an opportunity to meet motivated young people, share expertise, and help build stronger connections between schools, universities, and the real-world business environment.

Registration coming soon

Registration for “Manager for a Day 2026” will open very soon at mfd.jabulgaria.org. In September, Junior Achievement Bulgaria will organise a special webinar for the mentors participating in the initiative, providing practical information and guidance on how to make the day as beneficial, inspiring, and motivating as possible for the young participants.
Then, in October, we will mark the 24th edition of “Manager for a Day”—a day when young people do not merely observe the future of work but have the opportunity to be a part of it.