A 1st year student of International Relations and Global Communication at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas tells us...

"From an experiential point of view, the most important learning for me has been realizing the importance of community work and how it can have a significant impact on people's lives. This experience has motivated me to continue participating in social projects and to take a more active approach to the well-being of my community. The "Vuela" program in Slovakia offers a unique experience in understanding and addressing social issues in the country. Through our active participation in community projects, we have been able to promote inclusion, empowerment and citizen participation. I would recommend this program to those interested in making a positive difference in society and experiencing meaningful cultural immersion."

The Center for Community Organizing (CKO) is a non-governmental organization that has been implementing its programs in Slovakia since 1999. CKO assists civic initiative activists and communities to better ensure their participation in the decision-making processes of local, regional and national governments. CKO wants to accompany changes in Slovak society as it transforms into a society of active citizens in which the "voice of the people" is asked for and heard. 

CKO is also a leading organization in Slovakia in the field of countering extremism and radicalization. It works mainly with schools, local municipalities and grassroots activist organizations. 

The organization consists of 5 main programs: 

• Community organizing activities in several mostly vulnerable communities in the Banska Bystrica region.

• The Not in Our Town platform, which counters and prevents violent extremism in Slovakia.

• Schools for Democracy, which promotes non-formal human rights education and supports active citizenship in more than 30 schools in the Banska Bystrica region.

• The OKO Citizen Center, which provides a safe space for active citizens in the city of Zvolen.

• The Professional Fellows Program, which supports community leaders by coordinating 6-week internships in the United States. 

What are we going to do?

This issue is still in the process of being resolved, but is very likely to be:

1. Work in the line of Civic Education on human rights and assistance to the Schools for Democracy summer school program, including:

- Preparation of the curriculum;

- Organization of the summer school;

- Collaboration with other international students;

- Assisting young students with logistics;

- Leading educational workshops (to be discussed in more detail).

2. Other possible activities, depending on the time available:

• Continuation of last year's priority of assisting in the civic campaign "For decent and affordable housing in Banská Bystrica", including: research on the issue of social housing; meeting with campaign leaders; presentation of collected data; and proposing improvements for the campaign.

• Visit to the communities we work with (mostly socially vulnerable Roma communities).

• Zvolen community center

• Meeting with the rest of the team

• Support in the preparation of our big conference "REUNION".

Schedule: Weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 (this could change depending on the needs; we will create a more specific schedule a few weeks before the project starts).

Other information:

https://www.cko.sk/program/skoly-za-demokraciu/ 

(educational activities - you may need an online tool for translation)

The community of people living in Banská Bystrica and other nearby towns, especially the schools in the area and its summer program, "Schools for Democracy".

All students selected for the VUELA program will receive common training for participation in volunteer activities. 

Check YOUR UNIVERSITY in the following links for training dates, location and conditions.  Don't forget to mark them in your calendar. This training is mandatory and is part of the project. 

Field support will be provided by Matej Bel University throughout the project, as well as a person from the convening universities who will accompany the experience in the field.

The host Matej Bel University in Slovakia will help find accommodation for the volunteers near the project site and facilitate entry. Each volunteer must individually contribute an amount equal to the common bag to cover rent and food expenses. The amounts will be communicated prior to arrival, as well as the method of payment. 

Information about the possibility and conditions of financial support for these items can be found below, by consulting YOUR UNIVERSITY:

The student is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation to the project site and must inform the project's reference university of the date and time of arrival at least 15 days in advance.

Matej Bel University (Alzbeta Brozmanova Gregorova)