Starting in October 2024, seven social innovators have launched their projects. You can read more about the concept of these experimental development projects below.
COMMUNITY SELF-GOVERNANCE
Active, argument-based (debating) social dialogue is not part of domestic municipal practices. Consequently, many internal human resources (knowledge, creative ideas, connections, etc.) that could contribute to the development of the settlement remain hidden. This is often due not so much to a lack of motivation but to a lack of knowledge about methods and tools, especially in smaller communities. The goal of this development is to create and validate methods that municipalities can also use to involve local citizens, activate them, gather their opinions and suggestions, and encourage their participation in development processes. The project specifically aims to develop tools that are well-suited for the preparation and implementation of grant projects, as well as for creating town planning documents. Contact: Márton Beke
FACILITATING TRANSITION BETWEEN PRESCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL THROUGH SPORTS AND MUSIC
This project aims to establish a complex developmental model built on two pillars: wrestling and music. The distance between these two fields underlines the strength of a holistic developmental approach, opening up numerous possibilities. The target groups are kindergarten children in their final year and first graders. The goal is to assist disadvantaged children in transitioning to school, helping to offset their disadvantages. Through activities, children assess their abilities, understand the limits of cooperation, gain experiences, and acquire knowledge – all through play, their primary activity. Music and movement are fundamental pillars of human learning. This program provides children living in segregated areas with structured access to artistic education and sports activities, enabling them to develop while taking their first steps in formal education. With the skills acquired, they will be better prepared to meet the requirements of the first grade.
Contact: Dávid Berkeszi
INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE BANK TO IMPROVE SOCIAL WELL-BEING
The aim of this project is to create an innovative community space where acts of kindness can operate within micro and macro communities. With digitalization, such services can even be extended globally – from dog walking and lawn mowing to online language lessons. The plan is to establish a platform where only trustworthy individuals genuinely aiming to positively impact society would participate, based on community feedback. Kind acts received need not be reciprocated to the same person but will initiate a positive cycle, creating win-win situations for community members.
Contact: Zsuzsanna Czafit
TABOO-FREE ZONE – SEX EDUCATION DRAMA WORKSHOP
In our country, sexual education is not part of teacher training, even though sexuality is often a topic among young people in schools, continuously creating situations that educators cannot ignore. This experimental project offers a four-part interactive workshop series for high school teachers, equipping them with the tools needed to plan and conduct similar sessions for their students. The workshops address issues such as gender roles, love and sexuality, pornography, equal relationships, relationship violence, sexual violence, and victim protection. Besides providing methodological knowledge, the program’s personal presence allows for attitude formation, social dialogue among teachers, and the confrontation of differing viewpoints, thereby reinforcing educators’ commitment to applying the program in schools. Contact: Melinda Gemza
The second part of our series about experimental developers is available HERE.