Partners
MAKS VZW
Maks vzw is a recognized NGO specializing in non-formal education for adults and youth centers. Since 1999, it has empowered individuals to create their own success stories. Located in Cureghem, one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brussels, the organization serves a population of approximately 25,000 residents from over 170 different nationalities, many of whom are immigrants or asylum seekers.
The area faces significant challenges, with unemployment rates around 30% and literacy rates reflecting that about 50% of the population holds only a primary school diploma. Alarmingly, youth unemployment has recently surged to 52%. The average income per person is below €700 per month, less than half the average for the Brussels region.
Maks offers two open ICT learning centers where individuals can attend free courses and workshops tailored to their needs. By minimizing barriers, we encourage people to develop their digital skills and actively participate in 21st-century society. Our goal is to facilitate social mobility by combating digital illiteracy at all levels.
Individuals from disadvantaged groups are drawn to digital media, while also being acutely aware of the risk of social and/or digital exclusion.
Maks vzw specializes in using digital media to amplify the voices of marginalized and vulnerable groups, inviting them into a lifelong learning process and integration efforts.
We employ various methodologies to achieve our mission.
Digital storytelling
Digital Storytelling (DST) is a methodology that can be used to engage adult learners (even those with limited qualifications) and youth (ages 14 and up) in discussions about various societal issues. It empowers participants while enhancing their digital skills. A digital story is a personal narrative that combines still images with voice-over, allowing the storyteller to express their opinions or perspectives. This approach encourages the audience to reflect on the topic and inspires them to work towards social change. Digital stories are typically short videos, lasting between 3 to 5 minutes.
Digital Design For Change
This approach blends traditional design with the acquisition of basic digital skills for disadvantaged adults or low-skilled youth. In a 60-hour workshop, participants work to analyze and address a societal issue by following four key steps: identifying the problem (focusing on it), envisioning a solution, organizing the action, and sharing their digital story as a call to action for their target audience.
Coding – Scratch
Since 2015, Maks has been running a coding school that employs a methodology grounded in computational thinking (both unplugged and plugged) and the Lifelong Kindergarten pedagogy developed by MIT. This approach focuses on fostering creativity through projects, passion, peer collaboration, and play. The goal is to develop the creative skills necessary for individuals to thrive in today’s rapidly changing society.
The Roma girls developed their own game. Initially we thought of creating a Mario game, but by working together, our teachers decided to use Scratch methodology as it was easier to use with a group that was never before introduced to the world of programming. Creating their own games was not only to empower themselves by discovering their talents and how to achieve their goal, but to practice coding skills and reinforce concepts learned during physical activities.
This activity involves working with young Roma girls by country, to empower them through digitalization. The focus will be on coding a game, specifically a Scratch game based on their talents. This activity is designed to encourage the girls to learn and to develop skills in coding, programming, and game design. By working on a game that is based on their talents, the girls will feel more engaged and motivated to learn, and continue their studies.
Link: https://maksvzw.org/
Check-IN – Cooperation and Development
Check-IN – Cooperation and Development is a non-profit organisation founded in 2010, based in Beja but also operating from a hub in central Lisbon. Our main objectives are to promote lifelong learning opportunities, encourage young people to be active citizens and participants in the life of the local community, encourage social integration and inclusion and education for a sustainable development.
In our intervention field, we take special care with young people who have difficulties accessing information due to their geographical location, social and economic status or personal situation. Check-IN has been involved in raising awareness actions in urban areas and creating local projects in sensitive neighbourhoods in Lisbon. Our working methods are deeply rooted in fundamental European values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, gender equality, ecological awareness, intercultural tolerance and solidarity between people. To achieve our aims, we participate in and develop a multiplicity of different activities and projects, both locally and internationally, including the implementation of workshops, seminars, team-building activities, youth exchanges, training courses, information sessions, etc.
We work directly with the KA1, KA2 and Sport projects under the Erasmus+ Programme, the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) and the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Programme. We participate as partners, through European mobility programmes, in short- and long-term, volunteering projects such as those of the European Solidarity Corps Programme (formerly the European Voluntary Service) and we are accredited as a host, sending and co-ordination entity; we organise stays for periods of internships for groups of students, internships and internships aimed at Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Portugal and abroad (training courses for youth workers and adults) and exchanges between young people. To do this, we have developed partnerships with different organisations and companies, as well as municipalities, universities and higher education institutions in Europe and around the world (we have already established partnerships in Brazil, Tanzania, Nepal, Argentina, Mexico and Peru). At national level too, we have established partnerships, contacts and cooperation agreements with many public and private bodies (cultural and social centres, private companies in various fields of activity, parish councils, etc.)
The quality of our services lies in the competence and professionalism of our team, made up of a heterogeneous group of dynamic, energetic and motivated people. We share a common aspiration to develop projects together that can make a difference, in line with our values and experience.
The Check-IN Association is a EURODESK NETWORK Multiplier and a member of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
Link: https://checkin.org.pt/
Association for Developing Voluntary Work Novo mesto
Association for Developing Voluntary Work Novo Mesto is a non-governmental and humanitarian organisation founded in 1992 and working in the public interest with a focus on social protection, culture and youth. With the vision of promoting an inclusive and active society, it aims to integrate socially excluded groups, encourage active citizenship and promote civil dialogue. Its work comprises 35 projects and programmes at regional level and 65 projects at international level each year, involving 1700 individuals and 1800 organisations, supported by 102 volunteers and 37 employees. The main areas of work are:
- Social Care Service: aims to promote the inclusion of marginalised groups such as socially excluded children, young people and adults into society through day centres, support programmes and integration efforts for migrants and Roma communities. The programme was established based on local needs to integrate and empower migrants and Roma, to help them emancipate and integrate into society. On the other hand, the programme is aimed at the general population with the aim of raising awareness that migrants and Roma are not only seen as a social and economic problem or a burden on society. The activities are carried out in three day centres for children (two of them in the Roma community), a day centre for Roma youth, support for the integration of migrants and a programme for women from other cultural backgrounds. More than 110 children (half of them Roma children) take part in the activities in the day centres every day, and a total of more than 180 people take part in the programmes every day.
- Intercultural dialogue: Promotes the management of cultural diversity and social cohesion through events such as the Week of Cultures, the Living Library and intercultural exchange to foster respect and tolerance between different ethnic groups and the general public.
- International cooperation: Works with Slovenian associations worldwide and EU project partners to implement projects funded by local, national and EU programmes. – Active Citizenship: Provides opportunities for the development of citizens, especially youth, through activities such as youth centres, international projects and internships.
- Regional NGO Centre: Strengthens the capacity of NGOs to contribute to local development, provides information services, legal and financial advice and advocates for civil dialogue and policy change. Facilitates cross-sector partnerships to address local challenges and promote the role of the NGO sector in community development.
