We Have Launched a New Open Future Center in Prešov: Bringing a High-Quality Educational Program to Eastern Slovakia

Just like in Trnava and Zvolen, the Pontis Foundation has started its third Open Future center in Prešov. The first official participants, the sixth-grade students, will join the program in the upcoming weeks. For now, the center offers a preview experience, welcoming all children curious to explore what’s behind its doors. 

Soon, dozens of children from Eastern Slovakia will have the opportunity to develop their talents, entrepreneurial spirit, soft and digital skills. “This is a significant day for us at the Pontis Foundation and the Open Future team. Months of preparation have culminated in the opening of this new center at Važecká Primary School, where children can develop their talents and broaden their horizons. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Prešov and UNICEF, this is our third center in Slovakia, together with the ones in Trnava and Zvolen. We hope to open even more soon,” said Martina Kolesárová, Executive Director of the Pontis Foundation.

“In a safe environment under the guidance of our coordinator Martina Vangorová, Prešov’s middle school students will meet inspiring figures from science, culture, and business. They will learn to use modern digital technologies and, most importantly, will have a space for self-expression. One of the program’s goals is to improve the life within the community. Through project-based learning, young participants will have the opportunity to design positive changes for their surroundings,” added M. Kolesárová.

The Open Future social innovation aims to provide a safe after-school environment for children aged 11 to 15. It offers meaningful ways to spend their time while fostering collaboration and personal growth. The program features informal, innovative education with access to modern digital technologies. It includes visits to leading companies in Slovakia and lectures by inspiring figures from the business and tech sectors.

After the opening ceremony at the new centre, we welcomed the partners of Open future and other distinguished guests at a festive reception.

A few weeks before the official opening, the program’s local partners, the representatives of the city and the UNICEF program visited the center. They emphasized the importance of such program in enhancing access to quality informal education and reducing socio-economic disparities in society. 

Modern education is also welcomed by the city, the town hall believes that such a programme is suitable for the developing housing estate

An after-school coworking club with IT equipment, a workshop “makerspace” and a relaxation zone is being created in the Važecká Primary School. “Project participants will have access to the centre 4 times a week. This space will include a 3-year innovative training focused on entrepreneurship and digital skills development. The youth will receive one-on-one mentoring from a variety of backgrounds, be it business, public administration or the third sector. At the same time, young people will be able to work on their own projects, mini start-ups of sorts, in which they will design solutions to problems in their community,” said the mayor of Prešov František Oľha.

The Executive Director of the Pontis Foundation Martina Kolesárová signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the representatives of the city of Prešov, Vice-Mayors Martin Ďurišin and Peter Krajňák.

Vice-Mayor Peter Krajňák confirmed that the opening of the centre fits into the vision of quality education in Prešov: “We are glad that we were able to respond positively to the Pontis Foundation’s offer to set up such an educational centre. I want to thank them for it, we also take it as a challenge. We are bringing something innovative to Šváby, the youngest housing estate in Prešov, and we believe that the programme with a three-year cycle will be successful. It will bring new experiences to the children – from IT technologies to a lot of new knowledge, which they will use later in high school and in their future life.”

From Trnava to Prešov, the programme is also open to children from Ukraine

The Open Future program proved its value even during the pandemic years. The coordinators saw a strong need among children for a safe space to explore their potential and grow personally. The program continues to focus on fostering the skills needed in the 21st century and encouraging participants to make a positive impact on their communities. The Prešov center is also open to Ukrainian children, who have boarded the Važecká Primary School over the recent years. Organizers prepared an informational poster in Ukrainian for them at the beginning of the school year.