Where are we changing children’s futures?
Children learn skills for the 21st century in a safe environment.
The programme emphasises the development of soft skills, digital skills and entrepreneurship.
The Pontis Foundation’s Open Future programme takes place in our centres in Trnava, Zvolen and Prešov.
As part of the scaling up, the programme has been expanded to four more cities in Slovakia from September 2025. It is also being implemented by partner organisations we selected in the Boost the Future open call in Senica, Topoľčany, Dolný Kubín and Martin.
The Centres Open Future
Trnava
Our Trnava center is located at the Saigon premises at Študentská 29. Led by coordinator Matúš, we bring together students from across the city, creating a safe environment for them—one filled with respect and support. We help children discover their strengths, develop soft skills, and gain the courage to bring their own ideas to life.
Zvolen
You can find the Zvolen center at the Konekt premises, located at Jozefa Kozáčeka 11. Under the guidance of coordinator Viki, we create a safe space for students from various schools in Zvolen. Here, children grow together, develop their potential, learn teamwork, and work on projects for a better future.
Prešov
The Prešov center is located at the Važecká 11 Elementary School. Under the guidance of coordinator Martina, we are building communication based on trust, mutual respect, and the joy of discovery. We help young people strengthen their assets, develop life skills, and reach their full potential.
Partner Centres
Our goal is to bring the Open Future program to children across Slovakia. We are pleased that, thanks in part to our partners, we are able to operate in several regional centers.
You can register for these centers directly with our partners.
Senica 2.0
Senica 2.0 Association has long been opening opportunities for young people to develop personally, engage and actively contribute to the life of their community. As a civic association, it focuses on supporting youth, building their skills and responding sensitively to their needs. Therefore, joining the Pontis Foundation’s Open Future programme is a natural step in their direction.
Their target group is young people at a critical stage in the formation of values and skills. Senica 2.0 has a rich experience with projects that not only involve but also motivate young people to active participation and volunteering – for example through the DOBROvovolvolne initiative.
An important element of their activities is the KiviK community space – a modern, safe and technology-equipped environment, ideal for education and joint activities.
They see the Open Future Programme as a unique opportunity to connect young people with practical projects, develop their potential and strengthen their role in society.
Synergia Martin
SYNERGIA is an interest association of legal entities whose mission is to bring people and third sector organisations together with a common goal – to make the world a better place to live.
The founding members are three civic associations in Martin with many years of experience: the Mother and Child of Turiec, MARTinklúzia and Wings Forever. Thanks to this cooperation, SYNERGIA is able to systematically support the development of individuals and entire communities and strengthen a proactive civil society.
Their aim is to create an open and safe space where all generations can meet, communicate, collaborate and implement common ideas. They believe that mutual understanding and openness shape a culture that facilitates individual and shared goals and contributes to a richer community life.
From the beginning, they have emphasised the values of openness, cooperation and development.
The Synergia Martin Association implements the Open Future programme within the NABOSO youth clubhouse. This space in the city centre offers children and young people from Martin and the surrounding area the opportunity to develop their talents, entrepreneurship and skills that are essential for the 21st century.
NABOSO was created as a place of relaxation, self-realization and community activities. Thanks to the program The Open Future programme, Martin’s youth can engage in meaningful activities after school, which naturally complement the mosaic of leisure opportunities in the metropolis of Turiec.
Garage Club Dolný Kubín
Garage Club is a community space for children, youth and families in Dolný Kubín. It serves as a platform for projects and activities of various informal groups and organizations. Since 2018, it has been operating as a civic association involved in the city’s community plan.
Its values are mainly prevention and intergenerational enrichment. The aim is to guide young people through the process of personal development during adolescence and to help them acquire basic moral values. In this way, they can become healthy, confident and considerate adults who are aware of the needs of others and have experience of volunteering.
In the “Garage”, young people have already gained experience with workshops and creative activities that develop their skills and support community life.
Involvement in the Open Future programme is a natural step for the Garage Club – it is a social innovation that has a strong connection with their values and offers a new impetus for the development of the young generation.
Primary school Vazovova in Bratislava
Primary School Vazovova in Bratislava is a school that believes in the potential of every child. It creates an environment for learning that connects knowledge with practical skills and prepares children for a world in which they will need not only what they learn, but also the ability to collaborate, communicate, think creatively, and find their own solutions.
The school is a naturally inclusive environment that brings together children from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, children of different nationalities, and children with a range of special educational needs. It places emphasis on diversity, equal opportunities, and nurturing the individual talents and abilities of every student.
One of the long-term goals of the Pontis Foundation is to spread the unique educational program Open Future and give dozens of children across Slovakia the chance to improve and develop entrepreneurship, digital and soft skills. The programme relies on a strong partner, the Danish Villum Fonden Foundation, which has supported its dissemination with a grant of €1.3 million for the period 2024-2028.
