Press releases (english)

NOKIA AND NROS LAUNCH FIFTH YEAR
OF MAKE A CONNECTION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Hundreds of Young People to Be Given Opportunity to Volunteer and Implement Community Projects

Nokia and the Civil Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) launched today the fifth year of their successful Make a Connection program in the Czech Republic to support youth volunteerism. The program gives young volunteers an opportunity to develop and implement their own projects for the benefit of their communities. Over the past four years, more than 250 community projects were implemented by 2,000 young people. Because of the project’s success, program organisers decided to give more young people an opportunity to participate this year. Nokia supports the program through a CZK 13.9 million (in US$$?) grant, bringing the company’s total financial commitment to CZK 26.6 million.

”Nokia sees great importance in encouraging young people in their efforts in improving the life of their community. We believe we can contribute through our program to this challenging task,” said Matti Palomäki, Managing Director of Networks Division of Nokia Czech Republic. ”We are happy to support the program for its fifth year and believe that it will see continued success.”

Young people, ages 16 to 24, can apply for financial support for their community projects until 31 March, 2006. Evaluation committees will subsequently choose the winning projects for 2006, and provide them with individual grants of up to CZK 50,000. Apart from receiving financial support, the young people will take part in multi-day training sessions to develop their life skills and learn about project management, fundraising, and communicating with media, among other subjects. The funding and intensive training will enable participants to develop the skills necessary to successfully run their projects. Past participants have chosen to work with disadvantaged youth, strengthen intergenerational relationships, and promote cultural understanding.

“In 2004, young people who participated in Make a Connection established their own initiative, ‘Alumnik’, a club of program graduates,” said Hana Šilhánová, the program manager for the project at the Civil Society Development Foundation. “The mission of the club is to provide extensive support to new program participants as well as develop its own new activities. The first project Alumnik organised was a successful meeting of international program graduates from four European countries.”

###

About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to make a connection to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them make a positive contribution to their societies. In April 2002 Make a Connection was launched in the Czech Republic as the joint program of the Civil Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) and Nokia. It is implemented in five regions of the Czech Republic and in the national chain of children homes. NROS is responsible for the overall organization and co-ordination of the program; at the regional level, the implementing role was entrusted to six non-profit organizations operating in the regions. More information on Make a Connection in the Czech Republic can be found at www.pripojse.cz (www.makeaconnection.cz).

About Nokia
Nokia has a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its cooperation with IYF and other 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 many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.

About the Civil Society Development Foundation
The Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) makes efforts to strengthen 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, defend human rights, democratic values, tolerance and respect of minority rights, or otherwise increase awareness on such issues among fellow citizens. One of the Foundation’s target groups is children and young people. Thanks to the experience with a number of projects aimed at children and young people, NROS has the needed know-how and qualification for successful implementation of the Make a Connection program in the Czech Republic in co-operation with the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. More information on NROS can be found at www.nros.cz.

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.

Additional information:

NROS, Anna Onucová, +420 233 357 123, anna.onucova@nros.cz
Mmd, Lenka Čermáková, +420 224 251 555, cermakova@mmd.cz