Press releases (english)

Throughout the Czech Republic a hundreds of young people will start voluntary projects under a program Make a Connection-Připoj se!

Prague – 8th year of The Make a Connection-Připoj se! program will support 129 voluntary projects of the young people by amount of 2 929 652 CZK. The program runs throughout the Czech Republic and is supported by cooperation of the Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) and Nokia. Project teams consist of young people aged 16 to 26 years, who could apply for up to 30 000 CZK to be used for organization of diverse voluntary activities. The successful applicants will carry out their projects from July to December this year. The benefit of these projects will be enjoyed by both young participants themselves as well as people from the local communities.
A great benefit for all young volunteers is also a possibility to attend two rounds of the “experience training” under the guidance of skilled professional trainers. The main objectives of these courses are inter alia, to recognize the basics of project management, teamwork, communication with media and fundraising. This knowledge can be applied throughout the implementation of the project and ultimately for an organization of final festive meetings of teams in the region.
"Young people manage to fulfill quite demanding requirements for the implementation of projects mainly thank to the received trainings and the possibility to consult the projects with the members of the Foundation. We are pleasantly surprised by the way they manage to overcome difficulties and bring projects to a successful end," says Hana Šilhánová, Director NROS.

An interesting aspect of the Make a Connection program is a great diversity of projects. The young participants are not limited when choosing a subject and the way of its realization. This allows more room to self-realization as well as fantasy. Traditionally, many projects are concentrating on various social aspects and also diverse leisure and sport activities for children and youth. Favorite topics are environmental protection, multiculturalism and a range of awareness raising activities. The project teams will carry on organizing sport competitions, play board games, and organize theatre, film and music festivals. The new cultural magazines may arise, photography competition should be organized and more “experience trainings” will take place together with courses of the ancient crafts. This all will be organized for groups as well as for general public.
Four teams of young participants have been inspired by the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Their projects bring closer look into this subject. As part of the other projects, we may expect a show of the owners and the lovers of old Škoda and a film that is dealing with voluntariness.

“We are glad that we can support young people in The Czech republic who invest incredible energy and enthusiasm in resolution of significant issues and problems they see around them. These young people know best what is required in their community and they come up with great ideas how to achieve that. We are fully on their side and ready to continue our support in coming years,” says

Pavla Tomsová , marketing manager of Nokia Czech republic.

Press release 11/06/09