Bulgaria and Italy are preparing a joint education programme called "Bridges of Legality: Bulgaria – Italy" for school and university students, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science said. It will cover legal culture, civic responsibility and how to prevent corruption.

The programme is due to start in early 2027 and run for two years. Students from both countries will take part in lessons, debates and practical activities. They will work on practical case studies and talk to representatives of institutions and professional groups from Bulgaria and Italy.

The idea was discussed at working meetings in Palermo with Bulgarian and Italian institutions. The association "Youth Guard Units" is developing the programme together with the Falcone Foundation.

The Bulgarian delegation included deputy justice minister Stanimir Stanev, the president's adviser on defence and security Iliya Milushev, and MPs Rositsa Kirova and Ivet Goranova. Deputy education minister Prof Senya Terzieva-Zhelyazkova also took part, as did the Interior Ministry, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Protection Service, the judiciary and other institutions.

In Palermo, the Bulgarians met prefect Massimo Mariani, mayor Roberto Lagalla and Antonello Cracolici, who chairs the Anti-Mafia and Anti-Corruption Commission of the Sicilian Regional Parliament.

Terzieva-Zhelyazkova stressed the educational and cultural ties between the two countries. The ministry said the main topics were what schools can do to build civic culture and to prevent corruption and organised crime. It added that the talks stressed the need for young people to know their rights and to develop skills for active and responsible citizenship.

The sides also discussed ways to prevent organised crime through education, culture and social support, and to expand educational partnerships and youth exchanges between the two countries.

The Italian Embassy in Bulgaria and the Honorary Consulate of Italy in Plovdiv helped organise the visit to Palermo.