Press releases (english)

26 January, 2005

NOKIA AND NROS LAUNCH SECOND PHASE OF SUCCESSFUL
MAKE A CONNECTION PROGRAM IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

More than 1000 Young People to Be Given Opportunity to Volunteer and Implement Community Projects

The Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) and Nokia launched today the second phase 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 projects for the benefit of their communities. Over the past three years, more than 200 community projects were implemented by more than 1500 young people. The second program phase will cover another three years, once again giving more than 1000 young people the opportunity to participate. Nokia supports the program with CZK 14 million, bringing the company’s total financial commitment to CZK 29 million.

”For Nokia, it is extremely important to encourage young people in their efforts to establish their own role in the life of the community. We believe we can contribute through our program to this challenging task,” said Matti Palomäki, Managing Director of Nokia Czech Republic. ”We are happy to ensure program continuation for another three years and believe that the program will see continued success.“

Young people, ages 16 to 24, can apply for financial support for their community projects until 31 March, 2005. An evaluation committee will choose the best 50 projects for 2005 to provide individual project grants of up to CZK 50,000. Apart from receiving financial support, the young people will take part in a training workshop lasting several days in which they learn about project management and develop skills necessary to successfully run their projects.

“Young people who participated in Make a Connection in previous years have now established their own ‘Alumnik’ initiative, a club of program graduates,” said Hana Šilhánová, the director of the Civic Society Development Foundation. “The mission of the club is to provide extensive support to new program participants, mainly by means of consultations, training and networking.” Alumnik also runs its own projects focusing on supporting active involvement of young people in the life of the community, and on positive development of youth in general.

As part of its second-phase launch, Make a Connection introduces a new program patron: Musician Ondřej Brzobohatý is now lending his active support to advocating the cause of young people in the community.

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About Make a Connection in the Czech Republic
Make a Connection, the joint program of the Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) and Nokia, was launched in the Czech Republic in April 2002. It is implemented in five regions of the Czech Republic. The Civic Society Development Foundation is responsible for the overall organization and co-ordination of the program; at the regional level, the implementing role was entrusted to the following non-profit organizations: Hurá Kamarád in the Pardubice region, VITA in the Moravia-Silesia region, Ratolest in the South Moravia region, Dobrovolnické centrum in the Ústí nad Labem region, and Hestia – Národní dobrovolnické centrum in Prague. The sixth partner is the Tereza Maxová Foundation, which implements the program at children's homes all over the country. The patron of the program is Ondřej Brzobohatý, a musician. Media partner of the project is ATLAS.CZ, an Internet portal. More information on Make a Connection in the Czech Republic can be found at www.pripojse.cz (www.makeaconnection.cz).

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. Country programs are currently running in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org .

About the Civic Society Development Foundation
The Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - 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, the Civic Society Development Foundation 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 nearly 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.

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.

Additional information:

NROS, Anna Onucová, +420 233 357 123, anna.onucova@nros.cz
Mmd, Hana Kučerová, +420 224 251 555, kucerova@mmd.cz