The vocabulary definition of a mission is: Noun - an important assignment given to a group of people, typically involving travel abroad. Therefore this is our assignment for local youngsters: Find out everything you can about youth possibilities in your region, country or beyond. Use it as best as you can to improve your personal development and make the world around you a better place to live. On this life-changing mission we will be your guide, helping you to make this journey #YOUTHPOSSIBLE.

📌 Kadaň, North Bohemia, Czech Republic

As a result of certain historical events (for decades, the region was nothing more than a space for obtaining brown coal) the region faces a high percentage of unemployment, poverty in excluded localities, lack of quality education and almost no cultural activities. Therefore signs of social distance, xenophobia, racism and drug issues are quite common. Young people are leaving the region because they do not have job opportunities and a space for personal (or any other) development. The EU’s green policy now fights to stop the mining which we see as a great opportunity to start acting and to restore young people's relationship with the local area.

The main target group is young people aged 13-30, according to the focus of the Youth Center of RADKA z. s. organisation and based on European youth activities. The project is open to everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, etc. We will focus mainly on inclusion - participants with fewer opportunities or disadvantages (cultural, social, health…), participants from excluded localities (economic issues, roma community...) and those facing employability challenges (NEETs...). Also the whole community will be enriched by youth participation and new "fresh" ideas.

We will create an extensive information campaign (online+offline) including lectures, discussions, podcast, thematic workshops etc. related to the activities of Youth Center, offered programmes, local and international youth opportunities. We will present various personal and professional development activities, EU programmes, The DofE Award, national and international volunteering, youth participation possibilities. Youth Ambassadors and foreign volunteers will share their good practises. The campaign will also include youth meetings with community members (focus groups, different generations, decision-makers..), to give young people a deeper insight into the application of acquired knowledge and experience into developing their surroundings and local community.
The process will be divided into several parts:
‣ 1. PR pre-campaign to inform potential participants, engage schools and city representatives.
‣ 2a. Offline campaign – lectures and workshops held during lessons at schools, events in the organisation, meetings with representatives and wider public.
‣ 2b. Online campaign – simultaneously with the offline campaign to support promotion.
‣ 3. Participatory dissemination as a part of the project impact leading to continuous long-term information sharing.

Expected primary result is 24 informational lectures with workshops for c. 360 active participants and approx. triple amount of passive recipients, 12 community meetings/events for wider public. The result of the online campaign is expected to be c. 10.000 unique participants reached. Desired secondary results are: increase the number of active Youth Center members, increase the attendance at events for youngsters, raise the awareness and stimulate interest in seeking information on youth opportunities (based on on-line data analysis), send at least 3 young people abroad for long-term activity, implement at least two youth public-benefit projects in cooperation with the city, establishing long-term cooperation with city representatives.

The region has many factors associated with the likelihood of forming socially excluded, even xenophobic groups. Increasing young people’s participation and civic engagement is crucial to build inclusive society and strong democratic base in our area. The essence of all projects that we implement with young people is youth participation and enrichment of community life. By connecting participants with city and community representatives and involving them in local volunteering we can cover wide range of community activities across all generations. Supporting their travel possibilities and gaining experience abroad, we will also help the intercultural growth of the community and open democratic perception.

Our organization has been providing services in the region for almost 18 years. We have wide client base and partner network. By our activities, we increase the level of local life-quality and as the only NGO in the region we also offer international activitites. Our team of c. 20 members is highly competent in project management, regularly trained in youth work and eager to help youngsters with everything they need. We are a part of several national and international networks and therefore we are able to provide youngsters with adequate quality of services everywhere they go. Our organization has built friendships and partnerships across Europe and beyond and we want all the young people to be able to be a part of this.

office expenses 2 400 EUR
operating costs/lease space 1 200 EUR
public relations 4 600 EUR (online + offline campaign)
personnel costs 16 640 EUR (2 coordinators, PR manager, accountant)
external lecturers 1 200 EUR
transportation costs 960 EUR
inclusion support 2 400 EUR (participants with fewer opportunities)

Any thoughts and ideas are kindly welcomed and appreciated! Thank you! 🙏 💞