Context

Before this project was initiated, there was no communication between youth clubs and civil society organisations in various municipalities in the region. Nevertheless, more and more people had begun to recognise that the future of the countryside is a conscious preparation for generational change, and that young people should be given opportunities and responsibilities.

Using the (regional and national) networking capital of the Bakony and Balaton KKKE, the project team therefore decided to focus on what could be done for young people, with the involvement of local governments and educational institutions, who could participate in community-building experiences.

The first step was the need for a community space (which could also function as a student centre). After that, joint planning would be required for the further development of the programme in other areas such as sports, arts, communication and finance. There was also no network of mentors in place, particularly for young people who have remained in the area.

Objectives

The project sought to include young people in the community and encourage local public engagement from all ages. At the same time, it was looking to promote the advantages of rural life while laying the foundations for a model youth and talent management project.

The main target group of the project was young people between the ages of 12 and 19. Thereafter, it aimed at local teachers, decision-makers in the public sector and local civil society organisations, in particular youth associations.

Activities

Once the team was informed of the success of their grant application, they held their first project meeting in October 2023, with the membership of the Talentum Student Centre Association. The following month, they established the project's mailing system and published their first informational booklet.

In January 2024, the team began ordering the necessary tools for implementation and putting the communication plan into effect. This involved a national radio appearance and the creation of a separate subpage on the association's website to promote the project. A Facebook page called Civil-Kikötő (Civil Harbour) was also set up for the same purpose. The programme was announced, and the form to sign up was published as a downloadable file on the website.

The following month, the exact themes were finalised for the half-day events, with a flyer created, and for the 18-session half-day ‘harbour’ programme and full-day ‘connecting’ programme, to run from April to October 2024. 18 cooperation agreements based on the letters of intent were also signed, and the team submitted an article entitled 'What next, young people?' along with promotional publications to organisations and media in the region to promote the programme more widely.

In March 2024, the essential tools necessary for project implementation arrived. The team set up the ‘boathouse’ borrowed from the local government in Balatonkenese, and officially launched the first boats. They coordinated the safety regulations and administrative obligations of the canoeing programs with the authorities and the water police. They also began promoting the programme through personal consultations at institutions, civil organisations and businesses within the LAG area, as well as compiling and announcing the precise schedule for their first ‘connector’ programme in June.

On 2 April 2024, they successfully held their first ‘harbour’ programme, and from this point on, continuously published photographs and video compilations of the programmes on their platforms and asked participants to follow their Facebook page. Due to overwhelming interest and demand leading to over-subscriptions, they organised extra rowing sessions to ensure that everyone interested could engage with the programme, and quickly exceeded 200 participants. The partners involved in the collaboration contributed greatly with their extensive knowledge and preparation to the successful execution of the programmes.

The whole programme was interactive, with playful tasks to actively involve the participants and explain the importance of active civic participation in their communities. In the ‘Make Your Future Smart’ competition, they helped shape the future of the countryside – and this programme will continue beyond the project duration.

In July, they began the implementation of the second cycle of the ‘harbour’ and ‘connector’ programmes, followed by a third cycle starting in September and finishing in October.

Gender equality

The project itself helps to improve gender equality, as socialisation at a young age, articulating and learning about cooperation and equality as values, remain very important.

In addition, the programme is organically linked to the other priority programme of the Bakony and Balaton KKKE, where projects focusing on the female target group are implemented, with a special focus on the development of female entrepreneurship – namely a Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme. By adopting this methodology, the project also helps to strengthen the market position of young entrepreneurs.

Generational Renewal

The very substance of the project is all about teaching and learning from young people. The aim is not primarily for them to choose an agricultural career, as the countryside is much more diverse. The Bakony and Balaton KKKE area is not primarily based on agriculture but on tourism, and, thanks to its excellent location, on the interconnection of knowledge centres. It is also very important to build on the potential of the region and find the best way to communicate the message.

Main Results

12 municipalities were involved in the programme, which saw over 40 events organised and more than 200 young people participating. The programme helped to form intra-regional connections, laying the foundations for further development and expansion.

In addition, the team encouraged the active participation of young girls in local public life. Self-awareness programmes were part of the project, to help them have a strong and stable self-image and self-confidence – e.g. the community events included team-building activities, where young people learnt about and discussed personality types, assertive communication, communicating in public and value creation.

The creator and leader of the Bakony and Balaton KKKE strategy programme is Monika Kontics, who works in cooperation with Gergely Szabó, the leader of the Talentum Student Centre Association. With this project, they aimed to bring their vision to life – the vision of a countryside where young people can shape their local area according to their own views and needs, cooperate, and actively participate in local life – and then replicate this vision both nationally and internationally.

It is important to underline that a key benefit of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme – developed as part of the overall project - is that many of the women who graduated there then felt the urge and strength to enter local public life. They became mayors, local councillors, and founded a local civil society organisation.

Key lessons

Absolutely crucial to a project of this nature is the value of networking, and the team was well aware of the benefits of casting the net far and wide. Those involved ranged from local authorities, regional civil society organisations, public companies and institutions, law enforcement agencies, cultural institutions and churches, to students and educators of educational institutions, sports clubs, entrepreneurs and retirement clubs. 

They also knew the importance of having legal advisers to help them, and also of creating awareness both at home and beyond. As such, they networked consistently with the regional media whilst also leveraging Hungarian and international relations abroad.