Our members
The Balkans
Czech Republic
Finland
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Spain
Turkey
The Balkans
Balkan Children and Youth Foundation
The Balkan Children and Youth Foundation (BCYF) was founded in 2000 under the auspices of IYF to improve the conditions and prospects for young people throughout the Balkan region. BCYF represents a new model of regional cooperation that aims to increase the effectiveness, scale, and sustainability of existing programs. Its goal is to serve as a catalyst in strengthening the youth development sector through a range of capacity-building supports, targeted grantmaking, and networking opportunities. Chief programmatic areas supported by BCYF include: youth employment; technology; non-formal education; health promotion and prevention; and civic education and democracy building.
BCYF grew out of an extensive dialogue among local and international NGO, business, and government leaders on effective and sustainable ways to meet the needs of the region’s young people. With regional operations headquartered in Skopje, Macedonia, the countries served by the initiative are: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Yugoslavia (comprising Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro). In addition, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, and Turkey are involved in the program as part of a regional strategy to network and share expertise.
Illustrative Grants
• The Youth Centre in Gornji Vakuf in Bosnia-Herzegovina enhances and promotes reconciliation among children and youth from both sides of a divided community through educational, artistic, creative, and recreational activities.
• Association "Step by Step" in Skopje, Macedonia operates a unique children's center that offers a space for children to gain knowledge through active learning.
• Center Education 2000+ in Bucharest, Hungary prepares teenagers for wage and self –employment. It equips them with the personal, social, and technical skills to successfully participate in the economy, to promote values of ethical business practices and economic citizenship.
• Group MOST in Belgrade provides training to 10 youth NGOs in conflict resolution, non-violent communication, NGO management and cooperation, and intercultural understanding.
For further information click here
Czech Republic
Civil Society Development Foundation
The Civil Society Development Foundation or Nadace rozvoje obcanske spolecnosti (NROS) is a national foundation committed to the development of Czech civil society. Established in 1993 to channel European Union funds to civil society organizations in the Czech Republic, NROS is slowly expanding its functions to include grantmaking, NGO capacity building, studies, and publications. From 1993-1997, NROS awarded almost 900 grants for a total investment of approximately US $4.1 million. Its major areas of grantmaking are training, the environment, information services, health, social issues, and human rights. Historically, approximately one-third of NROS grants have been for children and youth projects.
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Finnish Children and Youth Foundation
The Finnish Children and Youth Foundation (FCYF) was established in 2001 as the foundation in Finland committed solely to improving the lives of children and youth. The FCYF is competent to be given donations and receive wills. As a fundraising and grant-making organization, FCYF aims to promote and support programs that improve the conditions of children and youth in Finland and abroad. A fully independent organization under Finnish law, FCYF is a partner of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and The European Children and Youth Foundations Network (ECYN)
Illustrative grants
As a grant making and operational organization FCYF aims to support preventive youth programs both in Finland and around the world. Today FCYF is administering two major programs in addition to its regular grant making activities. The “Zest”, a Make a Connection Life Skills program, has recruited prominent Finnish personalities to visit 7th through 9th graders in schools around the country, talking with them about self-confidence, talents and life skills. The “Zest” has benefited over 60 000 students to date.
The “Karelian Child”, a grant making program is designed to support and further develop preventive child and youth work in the Russian Karelia and Vyborg region. The program consists of several independent projects.
Primary Field
- non-formal education
- encourage employability
- participation and integration into society
- prevention of social exclusion
Areas of Strength
- competence and know-how in precaution focused children and youth programmes
- well connected in the society, good networks
- advocacy and policy change impact
- fundraising capacity from the private sector
- project administration- skills
For further information click here
Germany
German Children and Youth Foundation
Established in 1994 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and leaders from the German public and private sectors, the German Children and Youth Foundation (GCYF) is dedicated to the positive development of German children and youth, ages 5 to 20, with special emphasis on the new states of eastern Germany. GCYF is actively involved in building cooperation between the public and private sectors.
The programs of the German Children and Youth Foundation focus on three main interlinked fields:
Life at school -- These programs foster the development of a democratic school youth culture, by lifting the barrier between school and society through practical activities. At the same time they encourage self-initiative and entrepreneurship amongst youths.
Learn democracy -- These programs concentrate on political education and participatory democracy and strive to overcome xenophobia, intolerance and violence by allowing youths to actively shape the society they live in and for.
To prepare for the future -- These programs help to overcome youth unemployment and support self-help initiatives for unemployed youth.
Illustrative Programs/Grants
Enterprise Development Project targets more than 600 school clubs where young people work through a step-by-step process of developing and launching a business. It also includes an enterprise development program for out-of-school youth.
GCYF supports effective programs that strengthen youth participation and leadership, especially through the use of technology, and assists them with technical assistance and training. At least 25 projects, from East and West Germany, are enabling youth to adopt and explore technology, primarily IT, to further their participation in their communities and to promote their roles in society.
Big Friends for Youngsters initiates and sustains one-to-one mentoring relationships between children and adults that transcend generational and family borders.
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Hungary
Foundation for Democratic Youth (DIA)
The Foundation for Democratic Youth (DIA) in Hungary seeks to strengthen civil society in the region by increasing the active participation of youth in their local community. Originally created as a national network aimed at fostering community service and civic education among young people, its primary focus has been fostering exchanges of young volunteers as a way to overcome prejudices and reinforce volunteerism in Central and Eastern European countries.
The Foundation, which works with young people, ages 14 to 25, supports their transition into adulthood by providing them with opportunities for social problem solving and by strengthening their self-confidence. DIA is a partner in Make A Connection, a global initiative of IYF and Nokia.
Illustrative Programs
• Youth Engagement The Make a Connection program in Hungary support DIA’s network of 500 volunteers through micro-grants in more than 20 communities. As part of its activities to enhance the number of local action groups and participating youth, the program facilitates local training on project management and skills development.
• International Exchanges DIA has volunteer exchange programs with the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro and Russia as a way to promote youth participation and leadership.
• Cross Border Summer Camp A DIA-sponsored summer camp brings together volunteers from across the region who are active in local service learning programs. Through the use of peer education, the camp helps promote international tolerance, teamwork skills, networking, and the development of future collaborative projects.
For further information click here
Ireland
Irish Youth Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Irish Youth Foundation (IrYF) is an independent development trust, the first of its kind in Ireland dedicated exclusively to children and youth. Its mission is to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of Irish children and youth, especially the deprived and disadvantaged.
IrYF accomplishes its mission by raising funds and making grants to youth projects and voluntary youth organizations throughout Ireland. It has a formal project assessment process “action-research” to ensure that the lessons learned in one situation can be applied elsewhere. IrYF's principle areas of interest are homelessness, substance abuse, disadvantaged young people, and social education. IrYF has started a new program in Northern Ireland with the Irish Youth Foundation (UK) whereby both foundations’ combined resources and jointly established a grant fund in Northern Ireland.
Illustrative Programs/Grants
• Promotes youth leadership and involvement in the community through the “Youth Investors: Young People as Grantmakers in their Communities” program. Program involves four groups of 10-12 disadvantaged youth, ages 14-19, in various parts of Ireland.
• Provides modular training in information and communication technology for young people between the ages of 10 and 14. Over 30 young people have benefited from the program so far.
• Supports an early preventive parenting centre which runs programs aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy and supporting at-risk mothers and their infants.
For further information click here
Netherlands
Jantje Beton
Established in 1968, Jantje Beton (Stichting Nationaal Jeugd Fonds, NJF) is a nonprofit, grantmaking foundation supporting children in the Netherlands, including Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. [The name “Jantje Beton” (Johnny Concrete) comes from the idea of “little John” trying to find a place to play in urban areas with lots of concrete and no playgrounds.] NJF is dedicated to helping children achieve a satisfactory position in Dutch society. To achieve its mission, NJF supports existing programs and initiates new projects in response to emerging needs. In addition to grantmaking to proven youth programs, NJF works to influence policies beneficial to children, advocates on their behalf (getting more recognition for the work of youth related NGOs in the Netherlands), and promotes the interests of children through the dissemination of vital information. The active participation of youth is central to NJF’s activities. A substantial part of its income is generated through a nationwide collection of money made by young members of various youth organizations.
For further information click here
Poland
Polish Children and Youth Foundation
Created by IYF and Polish leaders in 1992, the Polish Children and Youth Foundation (PCYF) is dedicated to the well-rounded development of Polish children and youth, ages 5 to 20. PCYF accomplishes its mission through furthering social awareness of children and youth issues in Poland; increasing local support for children and youth initiatives; supporting youth-led activities; replicating "best practices" for children and youth in Poland; and developing partnerships with community-based organizations and local governments for children and youth. PCYF's principle areas of interest include promoting equal educational opportunities, preventing alienation among the young, promoting cross-cultural tolerance, and preventing aggression among youth.
The Foundation cooperates regularly with 150 organizations from across Poland. About 250,000 children and youth and 3,000 teachers and educators benefit from various Foundation activities every year.
Illustrative Programs/Grants
• Where there are no preschools
Through the program, educators trained by PCYF offer classes to groups of about ten children, aged 3-5. Classes, currently operating in 8 centers, meet three to four times a week.
• Teacher Assistance
This program consists of two components: Creativity Stimulation and Teacher Support and seeks to introduce new classroom management methods.
• Building Civil Society in Rural Areas
This program seeks to involve local officials, volunteers, teachers, parents, and young people themselves in the process of formulating local educational policy in the rural districts of Bartoszyce and Sepolno Krajenskie, and to create a partnership of doers who are committed to addressing the needs of local children.
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Portugal
Fundação da Juventude (FJ)
The Fundação da Juventude (FJ), established in 1989, is a leading national institution devoted to supporting the full integration of youth in active social and cultural life. FJ's major programs include the Youth Entrepreneurial Initiative and Employment Support, Science and Technology, Research and Studies on Youth, Culture and Arts, Social Development, and Youth Exchange and Intercultural Learning. All are based on specific projects, such as the "Nests of Enterprises", "Employment Clubs,” "Information Centres," "Contests for Young Scientists," Art's Exhibitions, Professional Training for unemployed people, for volunteers, and other Cultural or Social events. A priority is given to those facing particular challenges, such as drug abuse, adolescent motherhood, violence abuse, and HIV/AIDS and other sexual diseases. Programs are implemented through technical and professional training, internships for university students, scholarships, prevention campaigns, guidance and counselling services, workshops and seminars. Through these initiatives, FJ seeks to encourage youth’s autonomy, self-confidence, and professional performance.
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Romania
Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation - Romania
In 1990 members of the Romanian Royal Family established “Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation – Switzerland” in order to assist in the reconstruction of Romania's social infrastructure. The Foundation set up an operations office in Bucharest and four fundraising entities subsequently emerged in Belgium, France, the UK and the US.
As a result of strategic restructuring, in August 1998, Her Royal Highness The Princess Margarita of Romania established “Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation – Romania” (PMRF-R) as a separate entity under the Romanian law, with a mandate to develop and implement projects in the fields of welfare for children, youth and the elderly, community health care and health promotion, culture, education, and the development of civil society.
Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation-Romania now devotes more than 70 percent of its budget to programs targeting youth and children. Recently, PMRF-R started a grant program for NGOs dealing with children and youth at risk. Additionally, Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation-Romania runs a nutrition program for HIV infected children, and gives emergency help to other children in need – hereby responding to the specific situation of the country. The Foundation also pioneers an art-therapy program for children in institutions (most of them being abandoned children and representing the highest percentage of abandoned children in the region). Moreover, in 1994 the Foundation began a program to support emerging artists at a high school in Bucharest. That initiative is now being developed into the "Trust/Confidence Fellowship for Young Artists".
For further information click here
Russia
New Perspectives Foundation
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Moscow, the New Perspectives Foundation (NPF) works to empower young people to build democracy in their communities, regions and country, to positively impact youth policy. NPF programs focus on key youth issues: youth and legal social consciousness, civic education and leadership, health, youth employment, and the prevention of crime and substance abuse. NPF and its network of 50 partners and affiliates conduct research on youth issues; network and coordinate activities among young people, parents, teachers, and youth organizations; and seek to positively influence policies impacting youth.
Illustrative Programs
• Works to improve teaching methods as well as the ability of teachers, school administrators, and educational policy makers to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the classroom, and at the policy level. Disseminates knowledge on children’s rights and protections, and supports legislative, administrative, and social measures aimed at securing them.
• Creates Internet classrooms in schools and children’s clubs in urban and rural regions of the Russian Federation and seeks to improve computer literacy among both teachers and students.
For further information click here
Slovakia
Children of Slovakia Foundation
Created by IYF and prominent Slovak leaders in 1995, the Children of Slovakia Foundation (CSF) is an indigenous foundation with local leadership whose mission is to contribute to the multi-faced development of children and youth; to cooperate with all those who are willing to invest in the development of children, and who believe in their strength and potential; and to encourage the cooperation of experts, volunteers, and organizations implementing programs for children and thus to positively shape their personalities.
The CSF contributes to the development of the abilities and life skills of children and young people so that they may become better equipped to face life’s challenges and find their purpose and place in society. It pursues its mission by helping to prevent problems that endanger the healthy development of children and young people; supporting the organizational development and professionalisation of youth NGOS; and enhancing the skills of all those who work with children and young people while encouraging volunteerism in this area.
CSF awards grants for the realization of projects that achieve the Foundation's specified goals; provides technical assistance and training to NGOs and community-based organizations serving children; and promotes philanthropy for children and youth in Slovakia.
For further information click here
Spain
Fundacion Esplai
Established in 1999 and headquartered in Barcelona, Fundacion Esplai (FE) is a nonprofit consortium of three existing organizations committed to bringing increased national attention and resources to positive youth development. Each member of the consortium is a leading youth-serving organization in its region of Spain. Together, they represent more than 1,500 volunteers and 700 professional staff, with programs that reach nearly half a million children and youth. They bring with them 30 years of collective experience in areas such as leadership development, volunteerism, education, drug abuse prevention, and cultural and recreational activities.
The three organizations that make up the national consortium are Fundacio Catalanta de L’Esplai (Barcelona), Edex (Bilbao), and the Resource Center for Associations of Cadiz and Bahia (CRAC-Adalucia). FE is committed to strengthening and modernizing the non-profit sector in Spain, and has established ties to leading national and global companies, as well as valuable relationships with Latin American youth organizations.
For further information click here
Turkey
The Educational Volunteers Foundation Of Turkey (TEGV)
A non-profit organization established since 1995 by leaders from Turkish private and academic sector. Mission is to promote positive youth development and community engagement, emphasis on closing the education gap in underdeveloped regions, and focus on life and employability skills, innovative learning, democratization and citizenship for disadvantaged children and youth aged 8-16, and volunteers mainly aged 18-26.
Programmatically, TEGV emphasises individual, intellectual and emotional development through active learning, incorporating the latest technology and advanced concepts for learning. Volunteer-teachers are regarded as democratic facilitators of discovery processes. Programs build on the active involvement of parents, neighbors and community leaders to strengthen local social capital in a country still dominated by a “father state” ideology.
Since its founding TEGV has reached more than 500,000 disadvantaged children with the active support of over 11,500 volunteers and 236,000 individual and institutional donors. in 86 interactive learning centres, with useable skills training, volunteer mentorship programmes for children and young volunteers.
Illustrative Programs
• Education and learning centres: 86 educational facilities, providing children and their parents, and young volunteers with an active, easily accessible learning environment, equipped with the latest technical and educational materials and age-appropriate non-formal educational programmes ranging from language and literacy enhancement to health education, and citizenship; from the five learning areas of Personal and social Development; Language, Art and Communication; History, Geography and Culture; Mathematics, Science and Technology; for children from grades 2-8; several programmes have content-focused in-service training for volunteer mentors.
Mobile Learnıng Units – Fireflies
Introductory IT and social skills training for children in 17 mobile units (fireflies) throughout Turkey, reaching approximately 67,000 children and their teachers annually. Every unit has the capacity to service an average of 3,000+ children per year.
The “Dreams Workshop” project, launched in 2003, is a life skills enhancement programme for youth volunteers carried out through creative art and design workshops for disadvantaged children and adolescents.
“Make a Connection” – Nokia /IYF The power of peer-to-peer education” aims to strengthen academic, life skills, and active participation in 39,000 children and adolescents through a series of arts-related creative workshops. Over 700 youth aged 16 to 26 train as peer educators who reach out to their communities in one- to two-hour childrens’ workshops on a weekly basis. The workshops are held in disadvantaged communities in seven regions throughout the country.
“Cooking up Nutrition Basics” - Nestle 2003-2008
A 16 hour equipped hands-on nutrition and food technology programme. Develops awareness, skills and attitudes about “healthy eating” among disadvantaged 6-14 year old children and their parents. Led by young volunteers trained in health and nutrition. Reached 1,538 children in 2 locations by February 2005. Partnership with reliable NGO’s and government aiming to reach 70,000 children in five years and enhance nutrition training skills in young professionals in 11 TEGV centres and 59 smaller learning units.
IT Literacy Skills Training Programme – Microsoft
IT Literacy Program for children aged 8-16 and basic IT training for TEGV staff, volunteers and school teachers The programme gives disadvantaged children and youth, espec