Press releases (english)

MAKE A CONNECTION ENTERS ITS THIRD YEAR IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Nokia and NROS call for new project proposals

Nokia and the Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) have entered their third year of cooperation through the Make a Connection program in the Czech Republic. As in previous years, the program will give young people opportunities to become involved in society and implement their own volunteer projects.

Applications are now being sought for new Make a Connection community projects. Proposals can be made through www.makeaconnection.cz by 31 March 2004, and the program is open to applicants between16 and 24 years of age. An evaluation committee will select the best projects, which will receive grants of up to CZK 50,000. Apart from funds for the project implementation, the winners will receive several days of project management training.

"More than 120 projects received our support in the past two years," said Hana Šilhanová, Director of the Civic Society Development Foundation. "Make a Connection has been an enormous success and we believe that this year will see a continuation of interest from young people."

Matti Palomaki, Managing Director of Nokia Czech Republic, added: "We are very pleased with the achievements of the project over the past two years. It is important for Nokia to contribute to the positive development of the community, and Make a Connection fulfils this mission by educating young people and developing their civic skills."

About Make a Connection in the Czech Republic
Make a Connection, the joint programme 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 organisation and co-ordination of the programme; at the regional level, the implementing role was entrusted to the following non-profit organisations: 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. Actress and singer Zuzana Norisová remains the program's patron also for the third year. 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 Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. 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 the 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 60 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 30 million 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 is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its cooperation 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 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

Nokia
Petr Hošek
+420 221 855 111
petr.hosek@nokia.com

Mmd
Hana Kučerová
+420 2 24251555
kucerova@mmd.cz