Press releases (english)

The Civil Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) and Nokia announced the selection of 73 winning projects that will receive grants totalling more than 2 million crowns as part of the fifth annual “Make a Connection – Připoj se” program in the Czech Republic. Teams of young volunteers, ages 16 to 24, from five regions in the Czech Republic and from children’s homes nationwide will have the opportunity to develop projects aimed at contributing to their local communities. As in previous years, the projects submitted by young people focus on a diverse range of activities, including helping disadvantaged groups in the community; carrying out cultural, musical and sporting events; and leading educational and environmental initiatives.

“There are many innovative ideas represented in the winning projects receiving grants this year,” said Jan Kolimar, the Managing Director of Nokia for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. ”We are delighted that number of impressive projects submitted this year have enabled us to distribute a record sum of 2 101 544 CZK. We are also happy that those projects can be found, as in past years, in all regions. Nevertheless, Southern Moravia and Moravia-Silesia are in the forefront with 16 projects each, Prague and Ústi showing 12 each and Pardubice 10. Children homes will be supported within 7 projects.”

“The fact that the Make a Connection program really works and has helped young people develop a relationship to volunteer work is clear from the activities and successes of its alumni,” said Hana Šilhánová, the Director of NROS. “Most young people continue with their voluntary work even after completing the program – some set up their own non-profit organisations, some receive major awards for their voluntary work; others join the alumni club and help other young people joining the program.”

A two-round evaluation system was used again this year to select the best projects of the more than 150 proposals submitted by young people. Projects within each region were examined by regional evaluation committees made up of representatives from local authorities, schools, the media and the non-profit and business sectors. Recommendations by regional committees were reviewed by the principal evaluation committee in May, which selected the winning projects from across the Czech Republic that will be receiving grants this year.

In addition to receiving financial support, representatives of the winning projects will have the opportunity to participate in special training sessions focusing on project management, team communication, working with the media, or acquiring financial resources. Training will take place in summer and autumn, in the regions in which the Make a Connection program operates.

A summer school has also been prepared again this year for program alumni who are interested in taking part from 27 July to 5 August 2006 in Doubice in North Bohemia. Apart from giving alumni the opportunity to make new contacts at the national level, the main goal of the summer school is to deepen and expand the knowledge and practical skills acquired by young people through the realisation of their projects or through their participation in training as part of the program.

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About the Make a Connection program
Make a Connection is a global initiative of Nokia and the International Youth Foundation (IYF). Its goal is to support young people’s positive development by offering them the opportunity to make a connection with their families, their peers and their community in general. The program offers better educational opportunities for young people, teaches them life skills and how to contribute to the life of their community. The Make a Connection program was launched in April 2002 in the Czech Republic as a joint initiative of Nokia and the Civic Society Development Foundation (NROS). It is run in five regions of the Czech Republic. The Civic Society Development Foundation is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the program, while realisation at regional level was entrusted to five non-profit organisations. The sixth partner of the program is the Tereza Maxová Foundation, which realises the program at children’s homes all over the country. For more information on the Make a Connection – Připoj se program, please visit www.pripojse.cz.
(www.makeaconnection.cz).

About the Civic Society Development Foundation
The Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) is dedicated to strengthening the non-profit sector in the Czech Republic through philanthropy and voluntary work and through projects that make a contribution to the development of a civic society and European integration. The Foundation supports non-profit organizations that work with vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, defends human rights, democratic values, tolerance and respect for the rights of minorities and tries to increase awareness of such issues among fellow citizens in other ways. One of the Foundation’s target groups is children and young people. Thanks to its experience with a number of projects aimed at children and young people, the Civic Society Development Foundation has the required know-how and expertise for the successful realisation of the Make a Connection program in the Czech Republic in cooperation with the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. For more information on NROS please visit www.nros.cz.

About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving development and guaranteeing the stability of the entire mobile industry. Nokia not only connects people, it also connects people with information that is important to them through user friendly, innovative products. Although these are mobile phones, they are also products and solutions that allow users to listen to music, work with photographs, video and media, play games and can even be used for work. Nokia also offers equipment, solutions and services for operators and corporate clientele.
For more information about Nokia, please visit www.nokia.com.

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and non-governmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in close to 70 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped millions of young people gain the skills, training, and opportunities critical to their success. More information on IYF can be found at www.iyfnet.org.

Media enquiries:
NROS:
Anna Onucová
Tel: +420 233 357 123
Mobile: +605 161 138
e-mail: anna.onucova@nros.cz

Nokia:
Martin Frýdl
AC&C Public Relations, s.r.o.
tel.: +420 220 513 680
mobile: +420 603 419 681
fax: +420 220 518 209
e-mail: martin.frydl@accpr.cz
ICQ: 223-959-827
SKYPE: martinfrydl8275