Fourth Make a Connection Przylacz sie! Action Launched in Poland - Now Nationwide
May 10, 2004
Young Volunteers Take Action in Local Communities
The Polish Children's and Youth Foundation (PFDiM) and Nokia today announced the renewal of their joint Make a Connection program for a fourth year. A total of 70 youth groups will be selected to receive up to PLN 4,500 (US$1,150) each to implement their own community projects. This new nationwide program phase will continue the regional project that has been running successfully since 2001 in three Polish regions.
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. In Poland, Make a Connection targets young people at risk, age 16 to 22, by providing them with small grants and assistance in carrying out their own volunteer projects within their communities. The program aims to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of participating youth, while helping them acquire valuable work experience and develop personal initiative, teamwork, and leadership skills.
"The growing number of applications for regional projects made us realize how important such community involvement can be. Young people want to take action and make a difference," said Maria Holzer, President of the Polish Children's and Youth Foundation. "This new phase is nationwide -- allowing a wider group of caring young people to apply for the grants and pursue their plans to help others as volunteers."
Wojciech Pytel, Nokia Networks General Manager, agrees that young people can truly make a difference. "Since Make a Connection was first launched in Poland, the results have greatly exceeded our expectations. These young people are incredibly creative, have enormous energy, and have come up with volunteer projects with real impact. This convinced us that we are doing the right thing in supporting this program, and that it is worth continuing our support."
Volunteer projects may cover a range of issues, including integration of minorities into the community, sports activities, and promotion of regional culture and history. Groups of young people (i.e., youth city councils, student parliaments, local youth associations) are invited to apply for grants, which must be used for projects in their local communities. Projects must be developed and implemented by the young people themselves. Leaders of the youth groups receive training in areas such as project management, budget planning, financial accountability, teamwork, and public relations. They will also be advised by local non-government organizations.
The deadline for this year's grant applications is June 11th, with winning projects to be announced July 8th.
VIVA Polska, a Polish music television station, and Radiostacja, a radio station, will provide valuable media coverage and support to Make a Connection through its new phase.
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. Programs are now up and running in 17 countries: Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, 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's and Youth Foundation (PFDiM)
The Polish Children's and Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 with the support of the International Youth Foundation. The funds for the Foundation's activities stem from subsidies and donations provided by institutions as well as private individuals. The Foundation was set up with a view to forming a generation of responsible, creative people that actively shape their own lives and the local environment. Over the 11 years of its activities, PFDiM has provided support for more than 600 organizations working for the benefit of children and young people. The Foundation's aid reaches the most distant parts of the country. From September 1992 to the end of 2002, the Foundation awarded 1625 subsidies in the amount of 17 998 632 PLN. Each year PFDiM helps more than 200,000 children and young people. You can find more information on PFDiM at the following website address: 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 60 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped millions of 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
About VIVA Polska
Polish music television VIVA has been on air for four years. The station belongs to VIVA MEDIA AG, a German entertainment holding company that provides music television, Internet, radio, press, and communication services for young people. VIVA is well known by young people not only in Germany but throughout Europe, and is the most popular music television station in Poland.
About Radiostacja
Radiostacja, a youth-focused radio station, is a successor to the oldest non-public radio station, Rozglosnia Harcerska, established in 1957. Radiostacja broadcasts contemporary, alternative, and avant-garde music from around the world. The station addresses topics which fascinate and affect young people. Since November 1998, Radiostacja has aired in Warsaw, Trójmiasto, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Rzeszów, and since January 2000 in Kraków.
Further information:
Arkadiusz Brzezinski Polska Fundacja Dzieci i Mlodziezy (PFDiM) tel. (+ 48 22) 826 10 16, 826 16 21 fax. (+ 48 22) 826 10 16 e-mail: a.brzezinski@pcyf.org.pl
Ewa Piekarska
Betanka Communications
tel. (+ 48 22) 826 07 97
|
