Press releases (english)

MORE THAN 70 YOUNG PEOPLE'S PROJECTS RECEIVE GRANTS FROM THE MAKE A CONNECTION PROGRAMME

Nokia and the Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS) announced at a press conference today 73 winning projects of the second year of the three-year Make a Connection programme. The awarded projects will receive grants in a total of nearly CZK 2 million. Thus, groups of young volunteers from 16 to 24 years of age will be able to implement their own programs that will benefit their neighbourhood.

A total of 156 projects were registered for the programme, which means an increasing interest of young people in this programme, as compared to the 126 projects registered in the first year. The applications focus on various areas of activity: starting from renovation of historical monuments, amateur theatre and environmental education, through leisure activities designed for minority groups and drug prevention programmes, to assistance to the handicapped, senior citizens or children from children's homes, and many others.

"We are surprised by such big interest of young people in this programme," says Jukka Pietarinen, Managing Director of Nokia Czech Republic. "This is evidence that young people are not indifferent to the world surrounding them and that they themselves want to make a contribution to its improvement."

Besides the grant, which may amount up to CZK 50,000, each project will also be entitled to a several-day long training that will teach young people the best project management practises, placing emphasis on improving their competences.

Hana Šilhanová, Director of the Civic Society Development Foundation, adds: "We feel a great joy that we are successful in achieving this programme's goal - to offer young people an interesting, fun and informative way of self-fulfilment and at the same time to contribute to revitalisation of the tradition of volunteering in a natural way."

A two-round evaluation system was used to select the best projects, which ensured maximum transparency. All projects within one region were delivered to regional evaluation committees, which comprised representatives of public administration, schools, media, the non-profit and business sectors. Recommendations of the regional committees were discussed in May by the principal evaluation committee, which made the decisions on all the projects from the whole of the Czech Republic and selected the final number of groups that will receive grants for the second year of the Make a Connection programme.

Information about the Make a Connection programme 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 takes place 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 programme at children's homes all over the country.
Actress and singer Zuzana Norisová remains the programme's patron also for the second year.

Information about the Make a Connection programme
Make a Connection is a global initiative between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia. Its goal is to support positive development of young people by giving them an opportunity to make closer contacts with their families, peers and their neighbourhood in general. The programme extends the opportunities of education for young people, helps them get life experience and take part in the life of their neighbourhood. The national programmes currently take place in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and the UK. Additional information on the Make a Connection programme is available at www.pripojse.cz (www.makeaconnection.cz) or www.makeaconnection.org.

Information 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 contribution to the development of a civic society and the European integration. The foundation supports non-profit organisations 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 programme in the Czech Republic in co-operation with the International Youth Foundation and Nokia.
www.nros.cz

Information about the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the biggest public foundations in the world that are devoted to children and young people. It focuses on supporting programmes that improve the conditions and opportunities for young people in places where they live, study, work and play. Since its establishing in 1990 the IYF has co-operated with hundreds of companies, foundations and non-governmental organisations in expanding the current programmes and building long-term strategic partnerships. The IYF and its partners are currently active in more than 50 countries and have helped more than 26 million young people acquire the capabilities, education and opportunities that are decisive for their success.
www.iyfnet.org

Information about Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and service the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and through 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
Lenka Načeradská
+420 2333 561 73
lenka.naceradska@nros.cz

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

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