Project aims to create a safe base for young people, where they will be able to express and develop their opinions, talk about current events and share ideas. Through regular meetings in the form of a speakers club and by improving their presentation skills (verbal, vocal & movement coaching), we want to motivate youngsters not to be afraid to publicly present their voice. We would like to ensure and empower youth participation in decision making and political life (council meetings, elections).

Kadaň, Czech Republic (Northwest Bohemia, Ústí nad Labem region)

As a result of certain historical events and political decisions from the past, associated with the Sudetenland, the region faces a high percentage of unemployment, the issue of excluded localities, drug issues, etc. Disputes between political parties covertly and unnoticed affect the background of local society. The fact that residents are not very often interested in current events on a local level, not to mention internationally, leads to various signs of social distance even to xenophobia or racism. The mentality of the community is withdrawn and people do not feel as a part of any community, regional, let alone supranational entity. As evidenced, for example, by the lowest participation in the European Parliament elections.

The main target group is young people aged 15-30, according to the focus of the Youth Center of RADKA z. s. organisation. We want to enable the opportunity of being a part of this project to everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, etc. Participants with fewer opportunities or disadvantages (cultural, social, health) will also be involved. Participation in the municipal or regional activities (council, public meetings with the mayor, residents meetings) will then affect the whole local community, across all generations. Society can thus gain new ideas and impulses and learn to approach young people without prejudices. Included groups: youth, people with fewer opportunities, LGBT community, the public, local minorities and foreigners, representatives of the city or the region.

Young people will have a daily access to the Youth Center for the purpose of community meetings with a methodical support of a Youth leader. Twice a week, the Speakers Club will be held with a guided program including vocal, verbal and movement coaching, training in presentation skills, debates on current topics and workshops with external lecturers. Every month, the YouthCafé event will be organized, serving as a larger member meeting, a supervision of past activities with invited lecturers or as an opportunity to meet foreign volunteers. Participants will be regularly involved in events such as Residents Meetings, City Council meetings, elections, Youth Exchanges etc. Furthermore, the program will be supplemented by thematic excursions and intensive training camp in the summer season.

We expect to create inclusive community of young people, open to all without distinction. A community that will meet regularly, discuss current topics (political, social or otherwise important) and will be interested in contributing to these topics. Activities will be provided with a secure background, offering support and professionalism in the form of educated youth workers, coaches and external trainers, leading youngsters to become confident, motivated and involved individuals who can formulate and publicly present their views.
We also want to achieve a steady cooperation with the city, to create for example youth parliament, or other possible initiative which will occasionally participate in city council meetings and further decision-making in local and regional affairs.

The diversity of the community we aim to create will provide a plurality of opinions which will strengthen the ability to accept views of others in each individual and, on the other hand, to support their own judgment. This captures the essence of democracy itself. Internal debates within the group will support external discussions at local level, such as public meetings of citizens, meetings of the city council, participation in municipal elections. Participation in public meetings will also attract the attention of young people who have not yet been involved in politics. From the point of view of the wider civic spectrum, there will also be an enriching blending of opinions, for example, between generations or social classes. This diversification will be beneficial for the whole society.

Based on the experience from presentations at local schools, we know that young people do not have enough information about their possibilities, whether local or international. Similar initiatives are still seen as non-formal out-of-school education, and it is very difficult for individuals who no longer look beyond school borders to find such opportunities. These activities are our daily bread-and-butter and we want to share them and raise awareness of active citizenship and European values. We are also inspired and motivated by our foreign partners. Influencing public events on the basis of political affiliation (and thus devaluing the idea of ​​democracy) then affects the organisation itself, which had to fight for its existence due to hidden political disputes.

office expenses 1200 EUR,
operating costs/lease space 2200 EUR,
travel and accommodation costs 1800 EUR (excursions, summer camp),
subsistence/refreshment 1200 EUR,
public relations 1200 EUR,
personnel costs 22400 EUR (1x full time - youth leader/coach + 1x half time - assistant/administration),
inclusion support 1200 EUR (participants with lower opp. or disadvantages),
external lecturers, coaches, psychological support 2200 EUR,
technical support/equipment 1800 EUR

Any thoughts and ideas are kindly welcomed and appreciated! Thank you ♥