We Will Support Legal Assistance for Civic Organizations, an App for the Visually Impaired, and Sexual and Relationship Programs at Schools

Last week, the Impact Lab Bootcamp took place – an intensive 3-day event for civic organizations, connecting them with mentors from various fields. The organizations had the opportunity to choose four consultations on topics they consider crucial or where they need guidance. 23 experts provided new perspectives on their issues, helped identify potential challenges, and suggested solutions. In addition to helpful advice, participants appreciated the space for networking, connecting, and getting to know each other. 

The evaluation committees selected 18 organizations in advance for the Bootcamp: DigiQ, Chuť žiť, Intymyta, LEAF, League for Mental Health, Post Bellum SK, Slovenský skauting, SPy, TANDEM, The Association for Culture, Education and Communication, DORKA BAGS, Mareena, Saplinq, Ukraine-Slovakia SOS/SME SPOLU, Touch&Speech, Bystriny, Slovak Governance Institute, VIA IURIS. 

The Impact Lab Bootcamp was then a springboard into the Accelerator, where non-profits will receive not only financial support up to 60 thousand euros but also 3 months of tailored mentoring. The 3-member committee deciding on the participants included: 

• Impact and Investment Manager Magdaléna Radová from Tilia Impact Ventures, 

• Independent Evaluator Edita Bednárová, 

• Senior Program Manager from the Pontis Foundation Norbert Maur. 

Although a maximum of 15 out of 18 organizations could continue, we believe that even those not advancing to the Accelerator gained enough inspiration, ideas, and contacts to benefit their work. 

List of supported projects  

Education

Digital Intelligence 
Project Name: digiPEERS: Supporting Peer Education for Digital Citizenship 
The organization emphasizes the importance of safe and respectful behavior of young people in the digital environment. It uses a peer-to-peer approach and aims to stabilize a nationwide mentoring program and strengthen the team’s capacities. 

EDI Slovakia 
Project Name: ED Prevention at Schools 
The project focuses on preventing eating disorders (ED) among students. It provides education and mentoring for school psychologists and teachers, improves collaboration between schools and state institutions, and promotes critical thinking among youth through educational content on social media. 

InTYMYta 
Project Name: Let’s Support Each Other  )
The organization provides age-appropriate relationship education and sexual education. The project includes methodological plans on the topics of digitalization and safe relationships, training teachers in five regions of Slovakia, a sustainable education model, and a media awareness campaign. 

LEAF 
Project Name: GROWNi.sk 
The GROWNi platform connects individuals and organizations with opportunities for development and positive impact. The goal is to expand opportunities for young people across Slovakia and support civic engagement through collaboration and relevant topics. 

League for Mental Health 
Project Name: Schools for Mental Health 
The Coalition of Schools for Mental Health is an association of schools aimed at transforming schools into mentally healthy environments. It helps destigmatize mental disorders, prevent violent behavior, and minimize the negative impacts of social phenomena on young people. 

Sloveský Skauting (Slovak Scouting)
Project Name: Steps for the Future: Strengthening Values and Education of Young People in Slovak Scouting 
An established organization aiming to strengthen the value education of young scouts by focusing on life in nature, digital literacy, and active citizenship. The goal is to improve the quality of programs and education, support their sustainability, and strengthen critical thinking among leaders. 

SPy 
Project Name: PBL Academy (Not Only) for STEM Subjects 
The SPy association has been promoting Python programming and the use of technologies in education since 2015. The project focuses on the PBL Academy program, which helps teachers implement project-based learning in STEM subjects with methodological support. 

TANDEM 
Project Name: Virtual Intimate Zone 
The organization provides career counseling and training for student councils. The project strengthens responsible internet and social media usage. It includes an all-day program in the form of a Live Library and training of student councils on online safety. The project is implemented for schools with Hungarian as the teaching language. 

Inclusion and Human Rights

Dorka Bags 
Project Name: Responsible Employer 
The Dorka Bags project collaborates with small and medium-sized enterprises in Košice and Prešov to employ people with homelessness experience. The aim is to create a Platform of Responsible Employers and a methodology for a scalable program in other regions. 

Mareena 
Project Name: Intersectoral Collaboration for Integration 
The project aims to build partnerships with the private sector for better integration of refugees and foreigners in Slovakia. Activities include preparing a collaboration strategy with companies and testing the fundraising activities. Expected outcomes include strengthening Mareena’s resilience and a step towards systemic change in integration. 

SME SPOLU (We Are Together)
Project Name: Ukrainian School in Evacuation 
The Ukrainian School in Evacuation provides Ukrainian students with education according to their home country’s curriculum. The teaching is provided by professional Ukrainian teachers. The project’s goal is to integrate Ukrainian students in Slovakia through quality education, psychological support, and job opportunities. 

Touch&Speech 
Project Name: Touch4Blind 
Modern technologies and limited access to Braille education restrict the visually impaired. The organization prepares smartphone apps supporting Braille reading and writing, as well as educational events and a Braille display lending service. 

Democracy and the Rule of Law  

Bystriny 
Project Name: Bystriny a Opravári spoločnosti (Bystriny and Society Repairers)
The Bystriny project builds a sustainable intersectoral network of civic organizations and democratic public institutions, aiming to support democratic actors in Slovakia. The organization plans to increase their capacities, innovation potential, and societal impact, as well as strengthen adherence to laws and democratic principles. 

Slovak Governance Institute
Project Name: Message to the Mayor of the New Generation: Improving Communication Between Citizens and Local Government for Greater Responsiveness 
The project aims to improve the “Message to the Mayor” app as a tool for communication between citizens and local government. The project enhances transparency, supports public oversight, and enables better decision-making by politicians. It includes technological improvements as well as processes for addressing issues and creating a space for sharing best practices among local governments. 

VIA IURIS 
Project Name: Protection and Support of Civil Society in Slovakia 
The project aims to protect democracy, ensure public participation in environmental protection, and support civil society. The organization will provide legal assistance and information to enable the public to influence public policies and the quality of democracy in Slovakia. 

What organizations gain by advancing to the Accelerator

• 40 hours of individual mentoring. An assigned mentor will guide and advise the organization in its strategic development plan. 

• 20 hours of individual consultations on selected topics based on a needs analysis. 

• 20 hours of individual mentoring for impact monitoring. An assigned mentor for impact tracking is usually a researcher experienced in setting up impact tracking methods and strategies. 

• A grant up to a maximum of 60 thousand euros, which can cover personnel costs, equipment, travel, services, or communication services.

• Networking space not only with other organizations within the Accelerator but also with start-ups from the Incubator and people from business or public administration. Additionally, in December 2024, the Impact Summit will be held, where selected organizations will present their projects. 

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The supporter of the Democracy and Transparency topic is The Fund for Transparent Slovakia.