Press releases (english)

MORE THAN 50 YOUTH PROJECTS AWARDED GRANTS BY MAKE A CONNECTION - PŘIPOJ SE

At a press briefing today Nokia and Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti (NROS), the Civil Society Development Foundation, announced 53 winning projects of the first year of three-year Make a Connection - Připoj se program to be awarded grants totaling over CZK 1,500,000. Groups of young volunteers aged between 16 and 24 from five regions of the Czech Republic will be implementing their own projects to benefit local communities.

Make a Connection - Připoj se is a common initiative of NROS and Nokia launched in the Czech Republic this April. The Czech Republic is the tenth country to implement Make a Connection, a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. Make a Connection - Připoj se has two patrons in the Czech Republic: singer Zuzana Norisová and actress Táňa Vilhelmová.

A total of 126 projects were submitted, ranging from historic building renovation, amateur theater and environmental education to leisure activities for minority groups, drug prevention programs and assisting disabled, seniors, and kids from children's homes, as well as many other areas.

"We are pleased that so many young people expressed their interest in Make a Connection," said Jukka Pietarinen, Managing Director, Nokia Czech Republic. "It confirms our belief that a project of this orientation was needed in the Czech Republic."

Hana Šilhanová, general manager of NROS, added: "Number of submitted projects, their value and benefit for local communities are a proof that young people are not only interested in carrying out their ideas, but at the same time wish to help others and absorb new knowledge and experience."

In addition to grant of up to CZK 50,000, each project will receive several days' training, teaching young people best practices in project management and emphasizing the life skills component of the program.

In selecting the best projects, a two-round evaluation system was adopted aimed at ensuring maximum transparency and objectivity in selection of winning projects. All the projects submitted within a region were passed to regional evaluation commissions, which included representatives of government agencies, schools, media, non-profit and business sectors. In mid-August, recommendations of regional commissions were subject to discussions of the main evaluation commission that decided on all the projects across the Czech Republic and came up with the final number of groups, which shall receive funding in the first year of Make a Connection - Připoj se.

About Make a Connection - Připoj se

Make a Connection - Připoj se is under way in regions. General management and coordination of the program is the responsibility of NROS, with the role of regional implementers entrusted to following non-profit organizations: Hurá Kamarád in Pardubice region, VITA in Moravian-Silesian region, Ratolest in Southern-Moravian region, Dobrovolnické centrum in Ústí nad Labem region and Hestia - National volunteer center in Prague. Sixth partner is Tereza Maxová Foundation, which will carry out the program in children's homes nationwide. It is estimated that young people's projects should impact or benefit approximately 24,000 people.

About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global, multi-year partnership between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to "make a connection" to their families, peers, and their communities in general. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them to be involved in life of their communities. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, China, Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and now also in the Czech Republic. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.cz .

About NROS
The Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) aims to strengthen the non-profit sector through philanthropy and voluntary work in the Czech Republic as well as through projects that contribute to the development of civil society and European integration. The foundation supports non-profit organizations working with threatened and disadvantaged groups, defending human rights, democratic values, tolerance and the respect of minority rights within society, or otherwise raising awareness of these issues among citizens. One of the key target groups of the foundation is children and young people. With the experience from a variety of projects for this target group, NROS has the necessary know-how to successfully implement Make a Connection in the Czech Republic.
www.nros.cz

About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. 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 nongovernmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in more than 60 countries, IYF and its partners have helped more than 23 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success.
www.iyfnet.org

About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for years, with Nokia employees volunteering in a range of projects throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.

Further information:

NROS
Lenka Načeradská
+420 2333 561 73
lenka.naceradska@nros.cz

Nokia
Larisa Francírková
+420 602 120 339
larisa.francirkova@nokia.com

Mmd
Marlene Lašová
+420 2 24251555
lasova@mmd.cz