The Polish Children and Youth Foundation (Polska Fundacja Dzieci i Mlodziezy- PCYF) and Nokia announced today the launch of the third phase of Make a Connection - Przylacz sie. The program will support projects that are developed and managed by young volunteers between the ages of 16 and 22 and will be implemented in local communities in three provinces: Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Malopolskie and Slaskie. At least 15 groups of young people from each province will be selected through a competition.
"Since the program was launched in 2001, almost 2000 young people have participated in close to 100 projects," said Maria Holzer, president of PCYF. "This new phase allows hundreds more young people to reach even deeper into their communities to create positive change."
The projects under Make a Connection - Przylacz sie cover a range of activities including integration of minorities, sports initiatives, and promoting regional culture or history. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in trainings covering management, budget planning, financial reporting, team building and public relations. Local partners will coordinate the work of volunteers and will provide them with training and technical assistance.
Emilia Zagórska, project coordinator at Nokia Poland, said: "Our goal is to help these young volunteers carry out their projects independently and to develop essential life skills that will help them succeed both in their personal and professional lives."
Some projects will continue activities already undertaken during the first and second program phases, for example Multimedia Winnie-the-Pooh, which teaches children how to work with a computer. One participant, Kamil from Bydgoszcz, recalls: "I remember the day we started the project. I had never taught children before, and I was rather nervous. On that same day, when the lessons were coming to an end, I heard the most beautiful words: when is the next class?" Kamil recalls the joy he felt when he was able to reply - "Tomorrow."
Notice of the competition will be sent to various groups including town councils, student parliaments, school governments, and local organisations run by young people. Individual grants will vary in amount but will not exceed PLN 6,000. All entries are due 30 May, and winning projects will be announced on 17 June 2003. The projects will run from August 2003 to end of April 2004.
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) 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, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.pl and www.makeaconnection.org.
Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) 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, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.pl and www.makeaconnection.org.
About the Polish Children and Youth Foundation (PCYF)
The Polish Children and Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in May 1992 with the support of the International Youth Foundation. Funding for the Foundation comes from donations and grants from institutions and private persons. The aim of PCYF's operations is the comprehensive development of children and youth from five to 20 years old. The Foundation is helping a generation of young people to become creative and responsible as they shape their own lives and local communities. During eleven years of PCYF's operations it has helped over 600 organizations working for children and youth. The foundation reaches the most remote parts of the country with its aid. Since September 1992 until the end of 2002 it made 1,625 donations totaling 17,998,632 PLN, helping over three million children and youth. More information on PCYF can be found at www.pcyf.org.pl
The Polish Children and Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in May 1992 with the support of the International Youth Foundation. Funding for the Foundation comes from donations and grants from institutions and private persons. The aim of PCYF's operations is the comprehensive development of children and youth from five to 20 years old. The Foundation is helping a generation of young people to become creative and responsible as they shape their own lives and local communities. During eleven years of PCYF's operations it has helped over 600 organizations working for children and youth. The foundation reaches the most remote parts of the country with its aid. Since September 1992 until the end of 2002 it made 1,625 donations totaling 17,998,632 PLN, helping over three million children and youth. More information on PCYF can be found at www.pcyf.org.pl
About International Youth Foundation (IYF)
The International Youth Foundation 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. 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 collaboration 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.pl
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its collaboration 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.pl