Press releases (english)

NOKIA AND NADACE ROZVOJE OBČANSKÉ SPOLEČNOSTI LAUNCH SECOND MAKE A CONNECTION - PŘIPOJ SE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Young people bring positive change to their communities through volunteer work

Nokia and Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti (NROS, the Civil Society Development Foundation) today launched the second year of Make a Connection - Připoj se in the Czech Republic. Continuation of the program will provide young people with more opportunities to get involved in their communities and implement their own volunteer projects. Speaking at a press conference to mark the event, Hana Šilhanová, General Manager of NROS said "We've had an excellent response in the first year of the Make a Connection program -- which is why we expect broad interest from young people this year as well. The program's success is very much due to the non-profit organizations we partner with in the regions, and which have cooperated with us closely from the beginning." Last year 53 projects were implemented in 5 regions and involving more than 400 young people.

For this second year of the Make a Connection program, young people, from ages 16 to 24, have until March 31, 2003 to submit their project proposals. From these projects, an evaluation commission will select the best ones to receive a grant of up to CZK 50,000. In addition to funding for implementing projects, young people will also receive several days' training aimed at teaching them best practices in project management and improving their skills and abilities. It is estimated that within three years, young people's projects should impact or benefit approximately 24,000 people.

Jukka Pietarinen, Managing Director of Nokia Czech Republic, pointed out: "We've been delighted by the response and results of the projects implemented in the first year of the program. The enthusiasm we have seen so far confirms that if given an opportunity, young people are ready to leverage it to change their world for the better."

The second year of Make a Connection - Připoj se will be implemented in five regions of the CR. General management and coordination of the program is the responsibility of NROS, with the role of regional implementers entrusted to the following non-profit organizations: Otevřený klub, the facility of Hurá Kamarád in Pardubice region, VITA in Moravian-Silesian region, Ratolest Brno in Southern-Moravian region, Dobrovolnické centrum in Ústí nad Labem region and Hestia - National volunteer center in Prague. The sixth partner is theTereza Maxová Foundation, which carries out the program in children's homes nationwide.

About Make a Connection - Připoj se in the Czech Republic
Launched in the Czech Republic in April 2002, Make a Connection - Připoj se is a joint initiative of Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti (NROS) and Nokia. Total of 126 groups of young people registered in the three-year long program. From a very diverse range of their proposals, the evaluation commission selected the best 53 projects that were awarded grants worth over CZK 1,500,000.
Zuzana Norisová, the actress and singer, continues to be the program's patron in its second year.

Make a Connection is a global, multi-year partnership between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to "make a connection" to their families, peers, and their communities in general. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them to be involved in life of their communities. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.pripojse.cz (www.makeaconnection.cz) or www.makeaconnection.org.

About the Civil Society Development Foundation
The Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) aims to strengthen the non-profit sector through philanthropy and voluntary work in the Czech Republic as well as through projects that contribute to the development of civil society and European integration. The foundation supports non-profit organizations working with threatened and disadvantaged groups, defending human rights, democratic values, tolerance and the respect of minority rights within society, or otherwise raising awareness of these issues among citizens. One of the key target groups of the foundation is children and young people. With experience from a variety of projects for children and young people, NROS has the necessary know-how and expertise to successfully implement Make a Connection in the Czech Republic in co-operation with the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. www.nros.cz

About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. 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 nongovernmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 50 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 26 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success.
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 partnership 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 years, with Nokia employees volunteering in a range of projects throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com

Further 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