| 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.
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