In cooperation with UNICEF Croatia, we are implementing interesting projects with which we want to empower young people and adolescents and provide them with the opportunity to participate and create positive changes in society.

One such program is our UPSHIFT three-day free workshop, which combines entrepreneurial and team spirit, practical knowledge and mentoring support to solve the challenges that young people face in their local community.

This time we held the 14th UPSHIFT workshop in Međimurje, in the town of Prelog

The three-day workshop, which lasted from 11. – 13. February, we gathered 10 teams who recognized an opportunity in their local community and took the initiative into their own hands.

During the three days of the workshop, the teams proactively, with mentors, worked on defined problems, which are:

TEAM 1 (Ozren, Marta, Nina, Sven): Preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Belica Municipality

TEAM 2 (Elena, Zoja, Damir, Magdalena, Dominik): Sexual (non)education of students

TEAM 3 (Luka, Ivan, Miša, Ria, Lena): Lack of suitable, fun and useful outdoor space for students

TEAM 4 (Zita, Marija, Vida, Aida, Mila): Through various workshops and activities, to motivate the inhabitants of the municipality to actively get involved in shaping the life of the local community

TEAM 5 (Viktorija, Ema, Lana, Andrea, Lea): Cultivation of herbs for the needs of the school kitchen, in the school garden

TEAM 6 (Vlatka Karla, Nina, Tamara): Lack of organized socializing

TEAM 7 (Vanja, Lana, Ena, Sintia, Ana): “Body shaming” (shaming of body appearance among adolescents)

TEAM 8 (Žana, Magdalena, Barbara, Margareta, Timon): Organization of regular socializing of high school students and users of a home for the elderly and infirm with the aim of developing intergenerational solidarity

TEAM 9 (Hana, Lovro, Petra, Melani, Leonie): Raise awareness of the importance of mental health

T Im 10 (Lea, Sara, Ema, Julijana, Elena): Mental health of adolescents and neglect of society

Through the workshop, young people acquire new knowledge and skills for analyzing and solving specific problems.

Winners of UPSHIFT

On the last day of our UPSHIFT workshop, the teams held a pitch in front of an expert jury and a total of four teams won further financial and mentoring support:

TEAM 3 (Luka, Ivan, Miša, Ria, Lena): Lack of suitable, fun and useful outdoor space for students

TEAM 5 (Viktorija, Ema, Lana, Andrea, Lea): Cultivation of herbs for the needs of the school kitchen, in the school garden

TEAM 7 (Vanja, Lana, Ena, Sintia, Ana): “Body shaming” (shaming of body appearance among adolescents)

TEAM 8 (Žana, Magdalena, Barbara, Margareta, Timon): Organization of regular socializing of high school students and users of the home for the elderly and infirm with the aim of developing intergenerational solidarity.

What do we achieve with UPSHIFT workshops?

Young people at UPSHIFT develop transferable skills and work together in a stimulating environment to identify and solve a specific social problem. The UPSHIFT program focuses on these 4 areas:

  • Building and developing transferable skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, communication and team leadership skills
  • Empowering young people, including developing self-confidence, resilience and a sense of freedom
  • Involvement of young people in civic participation as active and responsible citizens
  • Developing entrepreneurial skills and mindset.