OUR MARKS: Inklucenter

22.8.2023

Anežka Palajová (Manager and project coordinator)

Viktor Križo (Director of Inklucenter, Expert on Inclusive Education)

How do you perceive the implementation of the project over time?

The project at ACF was quite literally the initiation of our organization. It accompanied us during our infancy. Initially, we lacked proper premises, employees, organizational structure, a working system, financial sustainability, strategy, content vision, pillars, and instructors. Almost nothing at all. Today, it appears as if the high level at which we operate is entirely natural and has been there from the beginning. However, we were able to achieve all of this precisely due to the tailored support provided by the ACF program in the area of organizational development. We learned to think strategically, navigate the world of projects, secure grants, understand indicators, and produce high-quality outcomes.

How has your project evolved after the conclusion of support from the Active Citizens Fund – Slovakia program?

By the end of the project, we had already become a relatively functional organization with clear goals, pillars, and content. Following the project’s completion, we initiated several additional endeavors, such as international cooperation within Erasmus+, smaller grants, and our own educational initiatives, the quality of which contributed significantly to our sustainability, both operationally and financially. Grants no longer serve solely for our survival but for the creation of new initiatives. We have learned to sustain ourselves independently and are no longer solely reliant on grants.

What results have you achieved thanks to the project?

Today, we have a stable, full-time management team consisting of three members, and we are actively seeking additional personnel. We have a functional and engaged board of directors. Annually, we produce numerous new outputs, including a substantial amount of videos, publications, and advocacy activities. We are actively involved in the development of legislation, providing feedback, and offering methodological guidance in the field of inclusive education. Modestly put, we could even consider ourselves leaders in this field.

Have you been able to achieve the goals you set at the beginning of the project?

We have fully achieved the project’s goals and continue to uphold best practices, such as creating strategic plans and regularly evaluating our vision, with the involvement of a professional facilitator from PDCS. Professionalism in our processes and steps has become ingrained in the DNA of our organization. We are enhancing transparency and striving to make all information about us, our instructors, education, evaluation, and advocacy publicly accessible.

What achievements have you attained thanks to the project and the support of the Active Citizens Fund – Slovakia?

While we’ve described several achievements previously, one notable example is our current management of support for Ukrainian children and families in schools in Bratislava. Initially, we collaborated with UNICEF and the City of Bratislava on this project. We advocated for the involvement of top analysts from CVA to ensure that the work was based on the most professional analysis of needs, data, and evaluation. These analysts provided high-quality outputs, and we swiftly launched the project within a month, based on their recommendations. We continued this project independently because other institutions couldn’t process formal support. Thanks to our capability, flexibility, and speed, we successfully initiated a project with 15 employees in 15 schools and an extensive agenda throughout Bratislava. We didn’t have all the resources initially, but we were able to secure them subsequently. Today, it stands as our largest and most successful project, primarily driven by our efforts and close collaboration with quality analysts, without relying on a single major donor. We could never have achieved this without a skilled team, a strong network of regional partnerships, and the ability to fundraise effectively. You can find more about the project here: Project Link. 

What was the project’s impact on the target groups and the community?

The target groups and the community did not directly perceive the thematic focus of the ACF project because it was primarily geared towards the development of our organization. However, the target groups had to recognize our services and expertise.

What experiences has your organization gained from the implemented project?

We have learned to think in terms of projects and strategically, to consider impact, indicators, and marketing. However, we have maintained a delicate balance to ensure that our values and visions, with a focus on people, remain at the forefront.

What specific benefits and opportunities has the Active Citizens Fund – Slovakia program provided to your organization?

The program opened doors to new grants and projects that we wouldn’t have been able to handle without the infrastructure we developed. We learned how to efficiently utilize financial resources, manage personnel, handle documentation, and manage accounting. We were able to produce outputs that are well-structured and meaningful, rather than superficial.