Up to Us

Social movements have been and continue to be closely connected with democratic political systems. Thus, all countries in Central-Eastern European region may face multiple challenges in social activism even after decades after the fall of socialist regimes. Post-socialist countries, including Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries, have almost no culture of social movements – there are good examples but most of them remain within the framework of legal institutions. With this project, we aim to contribute to the development of the culture of social activism and grassroots initiatives in CEE through educating and supporting young people in their own ambitions.

We believe that CEE region needs an organic development similar to the West in democratic frameworks. We can support this process; contribute to its development but not lead. With this project, we aim to provide easy accessible and understandable information about civic social movements specifically for young people to boost social activism in Central Eastern Europe. It has been 30 years since the change of regime; a generation has grown up that no longer has memories of the socialist era.

In the centre of our project is a so-called Thinkaton event. Hackaton is a combination of words hack and marathon; it is an efficient and also popular way to discover new ideas in the business sector. In the third sector, regarding social challenges, the term of Thinkaton is equivalent. After a few days of preparation, 32 young people from V4 countries participate a 24 hours long competition and start amusingly on the path of social activism while their entrepreneurial skills will also develop.