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Description
An established multifunctional centre for children and youth will create not only opportunities for full leisure time, but also for work with children, young people, and key adults (teachers and youth workers). The youth club, which is to be reconstructed, will be the space where children will not only spend their free time but will also learn tolerance and non-discrimination. It aims to prevent racism or extremism, which is excessive in the district. By creating a full-fledged program, the project will contribute to increasing and strengthening the competencies of children and young people at risk of social and economic exclusion. The multifunctional center will include the Pôjd (Loft) educational center, which will be used for non-formal and experiential education, inspiring, innovative, and coworking activities. By building a training center, it will contribute to raising awareness of non-formal education, but it will also create a space for informal activities that address prevention programs such as awareness-raising, tolerance-oriented activities, working with the media, and media literacy, as well as activities aimed at cyberbullying or inclusion.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the need to continue established work with children and youth by creating a stable multifunctional center in Spišská Belá. This center provides a safe space for young people to spend their free time actively, supports informal and experiential education methods (both in and outside of schools), fosters an inclusive environment for the city’s diverse communities, and helps marginalized youth transition into the labor market.
Spišská Belá is located in a district with the highest unemployment rate in the region, and nearby areas, including the town of Kežmarok and surrounding villages, are listed in the Atlas of Roma Communities. The existing Face Club Youth Center already brought together children and youth of various ages, genders, ethnicities, and social backgrounds. However, the growing diversity highlighted the need for more active engagement with these groups and for expanding services to include informal and experiential educational programs.
To address these needs, the project established the Pôjd Education Center, offering tailored programs that respond to the specific requirements of target groups and provide essential support to schools. The project built on the existing foundation of Face Club while significantly broadening the scope and impact of its activities.
The TogetherCloser project aimed to support children, youth, and marginalized groups through the creation of a multifunctional center, enhancing community spaces, and providing tailored career guidance. The main activities included:
Face Club Youth Center: Renovating and equipping a welcoming space for children and youth to spend their free time actively and safely. The club offers a wide range of activities, including creative workshops, quizzes, language evenings, summer camps, and volunteer-led programs, which foster personal development, build friendships, and encourage community involvement. The project supported the club’s operations by securing a coordinator, mentoring volunteers, and improving the facilities with new equipment and materials.
Pôjd Education Center: Transforming an unused attic space into an inspiring educational hub focused on informal and experiential learning. The center offers workshops, preventive programs on topics like mental health and online safety, and team-building activities for students and teachers. Supported by a Norwegian partner, the center also organized a study visit to Oslo, inspiring new approaches to youth work and education.
Career Counseling: Providing focused support to marginalized youth in Kežmarok and surrounding areas. Three social workers conducted over 777 individual and 82 group sessions, trained 224 young people, and collaborated with local employers to help participants enter the job market.
Community Garden: Creating an inclusive outdoor space with an amphitheater, petanque field, and recreational areas for educational, cultural, and leisure activities. The garden is used by children, youth, seniors, and families for organized events and informal gatherings, promoting social connections across different groups.
The project’s impact was amplified through a dedicated website, active use of social media, local newsletters, and public events, ensuring broad community engagement and visibility of its outcomes.
The project positively impacted various groups, including children and youth from Spišská Belá and nearby areas, marginalized young people from Kežmarok district, families, schools, class collectives, teachers, community organizations, seniors, and children with disabilities.
The project elevated the quality of work with children and youth, expanded the range of services offered, and fostered many new collaborations. Through the funding allocated for project publicity, awareness about these activities was effectively shared and promoted. The project also provided essential support and opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them transition successfully into the labor market.
One of the key achievements was the establishment of a fully functional Multifunctional Center for Youth and Children, offering a wide array of services such as leisure activities, informal education, school support, personal counseling, and mentoring. The completion and launch of the Pôjd Education Center above Face Club introduced an industrial-style space unique in the Kežmarok district and beyond. The center provides high-quality, professional services, including informal education, team-building activities, counseling, prevention programs, inspirational workshops, and summer camps.
While Face Club had been operating before the project, this initiative secured the vital role of a club coordinator, ensuring consistent programs and services for clients and the wider community. Both Face Club and Pôjd were equipped with essential technical and material resources, making them exceptional organizations in the region for youth and child-focused work. Their modern, 21st-century facilities appeal to the younger generation and set a high standard for similar initiatives.
The project also improved work with teachers, enhanced support for marginalized groups, and increased the quality and professionalism of provided services. Additionally, the development of a Community Garden near the Community Center created a versatile space for schools, organizations, and residents to engage in social and cultural activities, fostering stronger relationships and community cohesion.
Summary of bilateral results
The project greatly benefited from the partnership with the Norwegian organization, which provided valuable insights and inspiration. A key activity was a study visit to Norway, where participants learned how Norwegian youth clubs operate, how the education system integrates formal and informal learning, and how organizations work with children and youth. Each day featured a rich program, including visits to various organizations dedicated to youth education. The hosts shared their practices, presented their approaches, and engaged in discussions, providing answers to all questions.This bilateral cooperation resulted in the adoption of innovative methods and approaches for youth work in Slovakia. The study visit concluded with a collaborative session to identify shared needs and explore solutions through mutual cooperation. A significant focus was on improving support for teachers. Together with the Norwegian partner, a survey was developed to assess the needs and expectations of teachers, enabling the creation of tailored programs and activities. The Norwegian partner also provided a guideline detailing principles for effective collaboration with educators.Despite the successful collaboration, further bilateral activities are not possible, as the Norwegian partner ceased operations during the project. However, the knowledge and experience gained through this cooperation have significantly enriched the project’s outcomes and will continue to inspire future activities.