Main aim and activites: 

The project was intended mainly for young LGBT+ people who are interested in participating in NGO activities and various initiatives and are interested in public affairs, but have no theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. 5 educational courses were implemented within the project: Basics of advocacy and civic participation, New media against hate, PRIDELab, CoLab, KompAkt.

The project successfully implemented the five mentioned courses. Due to the participants’ interest and effective project and financial management, the project organizers were able to conduct bonus courses in some instances, thereby training more participants. In total, 107 participants took part in the project’s courses.

Additionally, the project successfully organized two strategic meetings of organizations working with the LGBTI+ community in response to the events on Zámocká Street, where two young LGBTI individuals were murdered in 2022. The project also included a study visit to a partner in Norway.

The educational programs brought together many talented individuals, both experienced and beginners, totaling a diverse group of participants. These programs provided a platform for participants to share experiences and knowledge with each other. The courses were highly practical, and some, especially kompAkt, led to real activities in the communities

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

The “I Hear You” project focused on reducing societal polarization. Its goal was to promote respectful discussions to foster understanding between different opinion groups in Slovakia. The biggest challenge was getting polarized guests to participate and follow the discussion rules.

Initially, moderators were trained with the help of a Norwegian partner. These moderators then led 10 respectful discussions in various cultural centers and secondary schools across Slovakia. These discussions on local topics sparked interest from other organizations. A training manual for moderators was created, updated during the project, and eventually published as a guide for respectful discussions aimed at secondary schools. This guide is now distributed throughout Slovakia.

The project organized 10 discussions on various polarizing topics. Each discussion was recorded as a podcast and video, available on YouTube in Slovak. The project notably increased public participation in civic activities, especially among high school students. These students were deeply interested in polarizing topics, which boosted their engagement. They even initiated and helped organize a discussion on acceptance of diversity.

Project timeline: 01/2022 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

The project responded to the polarisation and the so-called tribalisation of Slovak society, which weakens the mutual trust of its members and also the trust of citizens towards their state and its institutions. The aim of the project was therefore to carry out the largest survey of values in Slovakia, to create an online analytical platform for their evaluation and to cooperate with state institutions that are responsible for the “response” of the state to the situation in the country.

The following activities were carried out within the project: i) implementation of the World Values Survey (WVS) in Slovakia; ii) development of an online analytical tool (map of Slovakia); iii) establishment of cooperation (primarily) with analytical units of ministries

The main results of the project include: i) putting Slovakia back on the data map of the world through the World Values Survey – the results of the survey are freely available on the internet in English; ii) analytical departments of the state administration, academia, journalists, NGO sector and the general public have an innovative analytical tool with datasets on Slovakia; iii) DEKK Institute has managed to establish stable partnerships with 5 analytical departments of the state.

Project timeline: 01/2022 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

Supporting and developing young people remains crucial, especially in the post-COVID era. Providing opportunities for youth to enhance their skills, gain experience, and connect with proactive peers is highly beneficial. Long-term programs can help them discover their talents, strengths, and the opportunities available to them.

CoWorking Banská Bystrica has created a tailored program for young people from Banská Bystrica and the surrounding areas. This program aims to develop their social and professional competencies, enhancing their success in the labor market.

The LINK Academy project conducted seven rounds of training and development programs, attended by 217 young people. Participants engaged in workshops on Presentation Skills, Time Management, Project Management, Copywriting, and Public Speaking. Following these workshops, they volunteered for a school project they designed and planned themselves.

The project also included the first Banská Bystrica hackathon. The organizers collaborated with three institutions—the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic, the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region, and the city of Banská Bystrica. These institutions provided expertise and assignments for the participants, who were young people involved in the educational program.

Project timeline: 11/2021 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

The project addressed the growing issue of radicalization and extremism among young people. Previous research has shown that young individuals are often targeted by extremist movements, and first-time voters frequently support right-wing extremist parties in elections. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue by reducing social contacts and support from family or institutions, leading to increased uncertainty, isolation, and vulnerability among youth. These factors can contribute to a tendency towards extremist movements and radicalization.

The project’s goal was to develop a Radicalization Prevention Mechanism useful for local governments and other stakeholders in this field. Initially, the project team conducted a series of quantitative and qualitative research to identify and detail the reasons behind youth radicalization. During the development of the Prevention Mechanism, a series of advocacy activities were undertaken to present the mechanism to all relevant stakeholders.

The research phase of the project produced two comprehensive analyses: “Young People and Extremism” and “Prevention of Radicalization from the Perspective of Institutions.” The working group’s efforts culminated in the creation of the “Mechanism for the Prevention of Radicalization” handbook, followed by a series of advocacy activities.

Project timeline: 10/2021 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

The project focused on removing barriers that prevent participation and enabling the general public to engage in eGovernment topics. Permanent involvement of citizens in the decision-making process and making eGovernment an effective tool for increasing the transparency and openness of government institutions was a priority for the project implementers. They regularly invited people who care about better electronic services of the state to participate in activities. During the implementation of the project, the project implementers organized 22 community meetings, both for expert volunteers, as well as the lay public and experts. They involved each person in their activities according to their abilities and possibilities.

The collection of suggestions for improving the state’s electronic services. The project implementers collected 62 suggestions. A substantial part of the project’s activities was devoted to “helping” the authorities so that their activities turned out well. The knowledge and experience of the project implementers often exceeds that of the employees of offices and institutions, as they are often there for a very short time. As part of the project, close cooperation was established with the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization.

This type of project is very special and in demand, because it allows us to work with experts in the IT community, to create pressure on public institutions and the state to publish information and not waste public resources.

Project timeline: 01/2022 – 06/2023

Main aim and activites: 

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 04/2022

Main aim and activites: 

The project implementers see the project as a positive and important change for the TABAČKA KULTURFABRIK center. A major milestone was the reconstruction of the Fabrik Café, now called Fabrik Space. This project not only renovated the space but also established three key areas: Open Area, Community Club, and Experience & Creative Lab. These areas will guide the organization’s future, supporting civil society, creative industries, and the arts, and improving the quality of life.

Due to the pandemic, the organization operated in a limited capacity for most of the project. Despite these challenges, the project created a space for various groups in Košice city. The reconstruction allowed the organization to host discussions, community and club events, workshops, and film screenings, even if only in small numbers. The project successfully expanded its target groups, including disadvantaged communities, and actively involved them in its activities. It also identified new active individuals and community leaders, expanding the network of people who are crucial for civil society.

Project timeline: 07/2020 – 04/2022

Main aim and activites: 

The project implementers pointed to the current global situation associated with the impact of climate change in Gemer region. The impact of these changes on the population is more sensitively perceived in the context of their definition in their immediate surroundings. The importance of this issue is underlined by the rapidly deteriorating situation and the escalating consequences of the negative effects of climate change. In collaboration with experts, the organization has contributed from its level in the selected region to raise awareness, educate and launch a debate to reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate the negative impact on the environment. Within the individual activities, an introductory conference was held with the participation of experts, where the situation in Slovakia was discussed and solutions to this situation were sought.

The project implementers conducted a questionnaire survey of the perception of climate change by the citizens of the Gemer region and presented the results of the survey through several channels, as well as at the final conference of the project. The organization has also developed educational materials – 7 educational videos and 2 infographics – have met with positive feedback and are still being watched on youTube channels by CUE Gemer. In cooperation with a Norwegian partner, a case study was created in English entitled “Climate change an issue of Democracy and relationship“. It contains valuable examples of civic activities in Norway, which can serve as an example for Slovakia. The study is also translated into Slovak and available to the general public.

Project timeline: 10/2020 – 05/2022

Main aim and activites: 

The project led to the creation and development of the Bystriny platform, which is the only active infrastructure in Slovakia that connects civic initiatives across different regions and themes, regardless of their level of formalization. This platform has become a central hub for the community online.

The project also increased the number of consultations, connections, and practical assistance provided by expert volunteers to member initiatives. It created a platform for systemic communication about the importance of civic activism and its outcomes, established media partnerships, and highlighted positive stories of active citizens. Bystriny has become a vibrant community where members build trust and work together to improve their communities. The project also created new links between local businesses and initiatives, helping them find new funding opportunities.

The project enabled the network operator to develop products for the community in collaboration with its members. It provided over 500 volunteer hours through six-month mentoring sessions tailored to the needs of selected members, online webinars, community meetings with lectures and workshops, and face-to-face consultations. The project demonstrated the need for a sustainable network that connects active citizens with experts, helping them increase their impact, expand their financial and organizational sustainability, and foster civic engagement and societal change.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 04/2022

Main aim and activites: 

The project was aimed at supporting the healthy and fulfilling development of young people who come from diverse backgrounds – f.e. from centres for families and children. The project has helped to ensure that young people have a stimulating and meaningful environment around them and therefore a healthy system to help them fulfil their potential.

Specific project activities:
1)Low-threshold programmes for children and youth: the project was able to provide 4 times a week services in a low-threshold club for children and youth – leisure activities (billiards, calceto, Playstation, board games or creative activities, etc.), building new friendships, support from a team of youth workers.
2)Family Programme and Counselling: help and support directly to families – an accessible social and support service for families in crisis. Social or psychological counselling, humanitarian assistance (provision of food, diapers, hygiene, etc.), crisis intervention
3)Community and Cultural work

The project created a unique comprehensive network for young people and community members in the form of services for leisure, counselling, community life and development or active participation.

Project timeline: 06/2020 – 04/2022

Main aim and activites: 

Thanks to the project, the organization was able to keep both professionals and the general public informed and involved in eGovernment events. They carried out various activities, including involving citizens, experts, and volunteers in specific tasks and organizing six online discussions with over 1,000 viewers.

During the COVID pandemic, the project team worked with the media to share information about important IT projects and community activities that people could join. One successful community project was the Návody.Digital portal, which helps citizens navigate state e-services and handle different life situations. This project won second place in the ITAPA awards.

The project also connected professionals who became more interested in state IT projects. For example, a tax levy working group was formed to communicate with the state and influence processes and legislation, such as electronic invoicing. Experts regularly consulted with public decision-makers and provided feedback on state IT services and draft laws. Through the Red Flags project, experts reviewed state IT projects worth over EUR 800 million, making this information available to the public in one place.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 06/2021

Main aim and activites: 

One of the hallmarks of an advanced democracy is considered to be an active and well-developed civil society. Active citizens interested in what is happening in their surroundings, municipality or state are the best advocates of the public interest. The aim of the project was to provide active citizens with legal means and tools for participation.

Overview of implemented activities: Ensuring the provision of legal aid to 113 organizations/individuals, especially in the areas of self-government, use of the Act on Free Access to Information, environmental protection.

Counseling has improved citizens’ legal skills and encouraged further civic engagement. In the spring of 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic the project promoters tried to help and provide expert legal advice, demonstrating the importance of NGOs. The legislative activities of the government were monitored and the VIA IURIS participated in the creation of 4 laws, specifically prepared a statement for the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic on the theses of the prepared Building Act, the draft Construction Act and the Spatial Planning Act; etc. They also prepared a statement of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic on the National Report on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention. The website mojapeticia.sk was created to allow the publication of petitions and calls for signatures in accordance with current legislation. It is a practical tool, legally and technically secure, by which the (active) citizens can influence public affairs. The success and sustainability of this tool is confirmed by 19 published signature shares in 2 months from its full activating.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 06/2021

Main aim and activites: 

The project was dedicated to strengthen civic participation, in particular by supporting local leaders and strengthening the balance of power so that it does not provide opportunities for corruption and abuse of power.

Project implementers visited communities, trained leaders and produced a publication that includes important background information in plain language. The project also created an e-learning website, produced an analysis of transparency in small municipalities, which showed that municipalities are indeed lagging behind and need to be supported to improve. For inspiration, the project implementers twice awarded the ZOMOS prize to a municipality that behaves in a pro-civic way in an effort to inspire other municipalities. In order to be able to capitalize on the changes in the prosecutor’s office, citizens need to be proficient in their rights and responsibilities. This is facilitated by the legal clinic, which the project has been able to arrange for other lawyers to join.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 12/2020

Main aim and activites: 

The aim of the project was a positive social change in the city of Rimavská Sobota and in the whole surrounding region and to increase the interest of citizens in decision-making processes, wider social issues etc. A total of more than 350 people from the public, students, local actors as well as representatives of public institutions were involved in the activities. The project promoters managed to create a space for education, discussions with experts on current topics and to educate young people to civic activism.

The project started with 4 educational trainings, where the implementers of the project learned how to involve more people in their activities, how to lead meetings and respond appropriately to various situations. In parallel, public discussions with experts on various social topics were gradually added to this. Citizens were able to take part in more than 10 discussions that were directly related to what was happening in the city of Rimavská Sobota: the introduction of a participatory budget, the discussed topic of green areas in the city and waste management. The project brought several views and recommendations of experts to improve the functioning of self-government in the topics of open self-government and the smart city.

Project timeline: 05/2019 – 03/2021

Main aim and activites: 

The OBJECTive 21 project was created to help teachers educate students on important 21st-century topics like climate change, Zero Waste, urban planning, mindful citizenship, and civic participation. It also aimed to improve young people’s media literacy, get more schools involved in the YRE program, and increase brand awareness.

The project developed an online learning platform called Manual 21 – Learning for the 21st Century, with the help of five pilot schools. For each topic, they made a 6-minute video and 6-7 activities to give students practical skills in environmental protection, media production, and active citizenship. They also included worksheets and method sheets.

They created three guides for students on how to make a reportage article, photo, and video.

The project team organized a 5-day training mission in the White Carpathians for future program leaders, followed by a press conference. They also encouraged young people to post about environmental topics on social media through three open calls. The project’s results were presented at the OBJECTIVE 21 online conference, which had 100 participants, half of whom were educators.

The Manual 21 platform helps teach in a modern and engaging way.

Project timeline: 06/2019 – 07/2021

Main aim and activites: 

While young people have many opportunities for personal development and career growth, they are often not interested in participation in public affairs. Some of them have an idea for a project, but they are afraid to implement it, they have no experience, they don’t know how to do it. It is out of this need that the Social Impact Academy project was born. The implementers of the project had a positive experience of working in the Incubator, which was focused on startups, but the processes, themes, the system of functioning was also applicable to this target group.

The aim of the Social Impact Academy project was that by the end of 2020, 100 young people would be given the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to implement their project with financial support and the help of mentors. 163 young people were involved in the project and 26 projects were implemented.

Participants completed two modules, namely the Young Leader Course and the Incubator, which fit together and complement each other. The Young Leader’s Course focused on the development of soft skills (creating a personal vision, presentation skills, time management, working in a team) and the Incubator on the development of hard skills. Participants from the Young Leader’s Course went on to the Incubator, and were able to invite friends and classmates to help them with their project. In the Incubator, they gained knowledge in project management, marketing, and basic entrepreneurship. They wrote a project application and set about implementing a mini-project, with experienced tutors helping them to complete their mini-projects.

Project timeline: 07/2019 – 04/2021