In innovative centres, we develop 21st century skills in children.

We officially opened the after-school programme Open Future in Zvolen.

After Trnava, Zvolen became the second city in Slovakia where our unique programme, The Open Future programme, is implemented When creating it, we were inspired by the successful Israeli program Unistream.

In addition to the development of entrepreneurship, or digital and soft skills, the creation of an innovation is also a part, which the children in the third, last year have to create, and thus contribute to solving the shortcomings that they perceive in their surroundings. “I see it as a great opportunity to help the community at a local level,” says Zuzana Almáši Koreňová, head of the education department, who brought Open Future programme to Zvolen.

The seat of the innovative club was established at Petr Jilemnický Primary School 1, which is attended by a higher number of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. “We offer various activities to our students. Open Future programme differs from them in the possibilities it offers. I really appreciate that the programme is accessible to everyone,” describes Anna Cúttová, director of ZŠ Jilemnického 1, and adds that she believes that it will bring new experiences and topics that will interest the children.

The program is also positively evaluated by Andrea Ungvölgyi, administrator of the Orange Foundation, the main partner of the centre in Zvolen: “If I were back at school, I myself would like to participate in Open Future.” According to her, the foundation became a partner also because the programme is dedicated to the development of digital skills, or support of the local community, key areas of the Orange Foundation as well.

We launched Open Future centre in Zvolen in September 2021, but due to the pandemic situation, we could only hold the opening ceremony now.

Thank you for your support and trust:

To the main partner of the Zvolen center, the Orange Foundation.

Local partners: from business – the company ARKON, from public administration – the City of Zvolen, and from education – Elementary School Jilemnického 1.

A functioning cooperation between the municipality, schools and local companies is crucial for the sustainability of the programme and any social innovation.

The development of Open Future programme methodology was supported by the programme’s main partner, the Telekom Foundation.