Up 2 You(th)! Collaborating partners and local stakeholders
Up 2 You(th)! Collaborating Partners and Local Stakeholders
In Slovakia, the UP2YOU initiative flourished through close collaboration with various key actors in the youth and education sectors. The success of our strategic partnership was significantly strengthened by the active participation and support of partners such as the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK), the Regional Youth Center (RCM), and the Regional Youth Council (RMKK). In addition to these main partners, many local stakeholders, including secondary schools, local politicians, and municipal representatives, played a crucial role in our project activities.
Dynamics of Cooperation:
Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK): As an integral part of our partnership, the KSK Youth and Education Department played a key role in supporting UP2YOUth activities. Since 2020, Youthfully Yours SK has been part of the KSK working group for non-formal education and youth. This collaboration was crucial in creating and implementing the “Concept for the Development of Youth Work in the Košice Self-Governing Region for 2021–2025”. During regular monthly meetings, we ensured that the UP2YOUth initiative aligned with the strategic goals of the concept. The initiative supported the local efforts of our working group by promoting dialogue between young people and political representatives and emphasizing active citizenship through peer learning. We also organized activities focused on informing about the work of NGOs, the benefits of volunteering, and the advantages of democratic systems.
Regional Youth Center (RCM) and Regional Youth Council (RMKK): As key members of the working group, these partners provided valuable assistance throughout the UP2YOUth initiative. Their support was crucial in organizing activities, disseminating surveys among young people, and sharing project results. RCM's contribution extended to lending two of its youth workers, Jakub and Roland, who led workshops focused on student parliaments and democratic values.
Local Educational Institutions and Political Representatives: Several schools and student parliaments from Rožňava, Michalovce, and Košice actively participated in the project. Their involvement was essential in organizing local workshops and focus groups, ensuring the engagement of diverse young people from various backgrounds. Notably, the following participated:
In Rožňava:
Business Academy Rožňava
Secondary Medical School Rožňava
P. J. Šafárik Grammar School Rožňava
In Michalovce:
Business Academy Kapušianska 2 Michalovce
Ľ. Štúr Grammar School, Michalovce
Secondary Medical School Masarykova 27 Michalovce
In Košice:
Business Academy Polarna,
Trebišovská Grammar School,
Šrobarova Grammar School,
Poštová Grammar School,
GT12 Grammar School and
Alejová Grammar School.
The participation of local authorities, including the Vice-Chairman of the KSK Self-Governing Region Ladislav Lorinc,
the Mayor of Košice – Myslava František Beer,
and the Member of the Regional Assembly and the City of Košice Peter Berinšter, brought real-world perspectives to our workshops, thus enriching the learning experience.
Added Value of Cooperation:
This extensive cooperation with regional authorities and local stakeholders enhanced the reach and impact of the UP2YOUth initiative. By integrating our efforts into existing regional strategies and directly involving local schools and politicians, we ensured that the project results were relevant, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the local context. The joint involvement of these partners brought diverse perspectives and expertise, enriching the project's activities and outcomes.
Dissemination Event – A Joint Effort:
Instead of separate events, we decided to integrate our dissemination activities into a regional conference on the recognition of youth work, organized by KSK and NIVAM. This step ensured that our project results reached more than 90 stakeholders in the youth and education sector.
Key Findings:
The cooperative approach led to successful workshops and focus groups, highlighting the need for continued dialogue and active youth participation in local governance and civic activities.
Recommendations for Local Authorities:
Maintain and Expand Cooperation: Continue building partnerships with youth organizations, such as Youthfully Yours SK, to sustain the momentum of youth engagement.
Consider Youth Views in Policy Making: Ensure that the voices of young people are heard in local self-government through regular meetings and interactive discussions.
Support Youth Initiatives: Encourage and facilitate youth initiatives that promote active citizenship and community involvement.
Focus on Educational Partnerships: Strengthen cooperation with schools to integrate civic education and participation into educational programs.
The UP2YOUth initiative in Slovakia demonstrates the power of collaboration in enriching youth-focused projects. The partnership with regional self-government, educational institutions, and local authorities not only increased the reach of our efforts but also enabled sustainable engagement and empowerment of youth.
The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 2020-2-SK02-KA205-002569
