At a press event today, Nokia and the New Perspectives Foundation announced the launch of the Make a Connection program in Russia. Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia, and Russia will be the 17th country to join.
In Russia, Make a Connection will support volunteering initiatives of young people between the ages of 15 and 25, assisting them to undertake projects that help their local communities. These initiatives will include programs for children, the disabled, the elderly, low-income families, and ecological projects. The program also aims to set up regional volunteer centers in each region where the program is being implemented. The Make a Connection program will be carried out for three years initially, in the Voronezh, Perm, Tver and Tyumen regions, and in Moscow.
Under the program, young people will receive grants to implement their volunteer projects. Enterprising youth groups are eligible for grants of up to RUB 30,000, with more information provided on www.makeaconnection.ru. There are plans to support at least 200 volunteer projects during the program's initial three-year lifespan. Through these grants, over 5,000 young people will gain experience in project management, decision-making, and team building.
"Make a Connection is a way in which we can provide real help and support to youth," said Veli Sundbäck, Nokia Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations and Responsibility. "We believe that by providing support to young people in different countries, they will gain skills that will improve their lives and and the social fabric of their communities. This is important, because the future of our society depends on our young people."
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to make a connection to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them make a positive contribution to their societies. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org.
About New Perspectives Foundation
The New Perspectives Foundation (NPF), founded in 1995, has served as the Russian partner organization of the International Youth Foundation since 1998. The main goal of NPF's activities is the implementation of childhood and youth programs and the creation of mechanisms to influence government policy with regards to youth, its image in society, and the training of youth leaders in different spheres, including politics, business, culture and education. More information on NPF can be found at www.npf.ru
About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and non-governmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 60 countries, IYF and its partners have helped more than 30 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success. More information on IYF can be found at www.iyfnet.org.
About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its cooperation with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.
For more information:
New Perspectives Foundation
Tatiana Mikheeva
Phone: (095) 206-8813
Fax: (095) 206-0927
E-mail: npf@cea.ru
www.npf.ru
Nokia Communications CIS.
Victoria Eremina
Phone: (095) 795-0500
Fax: (095) 795-0509
E-mail: Victoria.Eremina@nokia.com
www.nokia.ru
www.nokia.com
Information support:
APCO Worldwide
Phone: (095) 937-5525
Fax: (095) 937-5525
E-mail: press@apcomoscow.com