Society and Enterprise Development Institute

Our main goal is to develop social, cultural, educational, sports and youth projects in remote regions of Lithuania and beyond. The team's experience has been gained through the development and implementation of projects of local, national and international importance such as youth initiatives, international exchanges, democracy projects and strategic partnerships. The success we have achieved is based on cooperative relationships and trust in our partners and the search for new relationships. In addition to strengthening links between organisations in neighbouring countries, our projects are developing examples of good and friendly communication between organisations located in different countries of the European Union and beyond. We are able to work with schools, colleges, universities, non-governmental youth organisations and foreign embassies to raise the common level of culture and awareness among young people and in various local communities.

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The experience of the Society and Enterprise Development Institute's team has been gained in the development and implementation of projects of local, national and international significance, such as youth initiatives, international exchanges, democracy projects and strategic partnerships. The success we have achieved is based on a cooperative relationship and trust in our partners, as well as the search for new relationships. The projects we have implemented and are implementing not only strengthen the links between organizations in neighboring countries, but also develop examples of good and friendly communication between organizations that are located in different countries of the European Union and beyond. We know how to work with schools, colleges, universities, non-governmental youth organizations and foreign embassies to raise the general level of culture and awareness among young people and in various local communities.

Our team members and volunteers have organized and participated in many different projects, such as the Youth in Action and Erasmus + local initiatives, youth exchanges, youth dialogue and youth democracy projects, and so on. In total, we as a team have more than 10 years of successful project experience and this will allow us to successfully integrate into the new Erasmus + program in 2021-2027. In recent years, when we have been active and involved in projects, we have found many partners at home and abroad who have similar ideas and goals as us. Our strong partnership is based on full trust in each other. In addition to project activities, we ensure the involvement of young people in activities that are very attractive to them, such as debates, volunteering, discussions and meetings with famous people, working with embassies, various concerts, sports and health activities. At the same time, we want young people to realize that there are many different opportunities for young people in our city, in the country or even throughout the European Union that can help them realize their favorite activities. Also, in recent years, the team of our organization has grown significantly, acquired the right competencies and skills that allow us to test ourselves in new activities and challenges. We have therefore decided that our institution can transfer its skills, competencies and knowledge by organizing and coordinating a youth dialogue project.

In 2019, we refined 4 strategic directions of activity, with which we seek changes relevant to youth and society through various measures, programs and initiatives:

1. VOLUNTEERING. We aim to strengthen the quality of organization of voluntary activities of youth and local communities in Marijampolė and Alytus counties both locally and internationally. We are currently coordinating the Youth Voluntary Service programs in both counties and implementing 2 projects of the European Solidarity Corps' international volunteering activities. In this strategic direction, we not only seek to coordinate existing and potential initiatives, but also to ensure the competencies of those working with volunteers in the organization of volunteering. We aim to improve the competencies of volunteer tutors, mentors and volunteer coordinators through a variety of means: training, study visits, sharing of good stories and experiences, and providing methodological and practical tools.

2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP. We aim to develop the entrepreneurial skills of local people through creativity training, sharing of good ideas and experiences, study visits, the Entrepreneurship Academy, mentoring and consulting sessions for business representatives and career guidance sessions. We also support the development of young small businesses by providing representatives of these young businesses with the special training, advice and equipment needed to start their own business. We believe that entrepreneurship starts with creativity and the ability to present your idea through history and storytelling, not from building factories.

3. INTEGRATION. We encourage and support the establishment and development of the day center for children with disabilities "Suvalkijos saulytės”, providing them with consultations on project implementation issues. It is also through this direction that we develop young people's intercultural awareness competencies and raise debates and initiatives on topics that are marginalized in society: sexuality education; young people from remote rural areas and emotional well-being.

4. CITIZENSHIP. We realize that citizenship is much broader than raising a flag during public holidays. We see the benefits and meaning of developing young people's sense of solidarity, their understanding that they can create and be active in the local community, that they have and must take care of members of their community who have not been so well off, and that they are responsible for their environment. and must take care of it daily.