FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
GUTENBERG Youth & Student Organisation
National Network
Romania
Address
Universității Str. 7-9Country
RomaniaCity
Cluj-NapocaTelephone
+40 743 097 947E-Mail (2)
oana.laslau@gutenberg.roE-Mail (4)
info@gutenberg.roWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2010Contact Person1
Oana LaslăuJob Title 1
Vicepresident & Board Advisory MemberOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Democracy and community developmentGeneral Information
TEAM: HQ & core team of youth workers in Cluj-Napoca: 20+ young core volunteers and project based staff - 3 Governing & Advisory Board members, 7 Executive Board members (18 and 25 years old), 10+ youth workers and trainers. Plus 400+ volunteer members and youth workers and alumni, school and university students and young professionals, currently active in 15+ cities all around Romania (informal initiative groups and volunteers). BUDGET & FUNDING: Non-reimbursable funding from the public sector (local and national level in Romania & EU funding), as well as partnerships and sponsorships from the private sector - successfully managing, in the 15+ years of activity: 75+ sponsorships & 85+ fundings - over 480.000 EUR. Ex. Budget 2023 = 171.972 EUR ACTIVITIES: Main modalities of action: concrete projects such as national and international summer school for highschool and university students, also for kids, international youth exchanges and mobilities, volunteering and internships for students and young professionals.Mission and Objectives
Founded in 2009, as a representative student association for the Cluj German-speaking environment, the Gutenberg Association currently represents a national community of 400+ young German-speaking active citizens from all around Romania. Throughout its years of constant growth, the organisation has transitioned from being a local organisation to a larger national community working collaboratively towards a main goal: personal and professional development of young people, through volunteering and active citizenship. The name of the Gutenberg Association refers to the German printer Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the movable type printing press. Thanks to this invention, books were printed in large numbers and education was developed throughout the world; as a result, more people had access to education. We intend to do the same thing: to be facilitators of the educational process, for children and young people. Therefore, the purpose of the organisation is to create added value through education and personal development, for children, youngsters and adults we interact with. We believe that our country and the world can become a better place through education. So as a mission, we aim to contribute to changing the world to better through the following pillars: - National dimension: Supporting the personal and professional development of youngsters, mainly from pre-university and university age level in Romania - by promoting voluntary work and active citizenship as actionable values; - International dimension: Outreaching youth organisations and creating collaborative projects together and for our common young beneficiaries - by promoting international mobilities, voluntary work and civic engagement through transnational cooperation among young people, and also capacity building for the youth organisations involved, - Entrepreneurial dimension: Developing social entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship mechanisms, together with Alumni and experienced members of the organisation, to generate financial resources and contribute to the sustainable development of the Gutenberg organisation and community - therefore contributing to promoting entrepreneurial values and skills among young people.Main Projects / Activities
The main activities and projects of the Gutenberg Organisation - in the 15+ years of experience in the implementation of educational and youth projects and programs, dedicated mainly to school students of all grades and university students - have resulted in over 145 local, national and international projects organised, which helped us come into contact with over 45,000 children and young people as beneficiaries. The main areas of intervention for the implemented projects are the following: - Civil Society & Civic Education - Nonformal education for children, youth, young adults - Key Competences & Employability - Entrepreneurship & Social Entrepreneurship - Intercultural Dialogue When discussing the organisation’s main and regular activities, in the field of youth work and especially youth participation and civic engagement, the most representative educational programme we implement is the Gutenberg Network of young volunteers - which has developed itself in an incubator for Youth Initiatives, where 400+ adolescents and students from 15+ cities in Romania organise their own projects in support of local communities, as volunteers and active citizens in their respective communities. The goal of the Gutenberg Network is to equip high school students with the necessary actionable skills and tools to become active agents of positive change in the local community in their respective 15 small- and medium-sized cities in Romania. We have succeeded in developing the framework for an incubator for locally rooted civic youth and high school student initiatives and individuals with a total number of 400+ involved beneficiaries that have impacted over 800 fellow citizens through their local activities, just in the last school year. This is a yearly programme that has started and grew since 2015.How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
As Romania's largest network of German-speaking student organisations and volunteers, Gutenberg can contribute to enhancing the Anna Lindh Foundation's Network. Through the main organisation’s activities we bring our contribution to empowering young voices by facilitating youth-led projects and dialogues that align with ALF’s mission of promoting inclusivity and resilience. The Gutenberg Network of young volunteers involves over 400 students from 15+ Romanian cities, fostering active citizenship and intercultural dialogue. Through international exchanges and civic education initiatives, we also promote mutual understanding and social responsibility. Our strong partnerships and extensive network enable us to multiply the impact of ALF's programs, facilitating collaborations that resonate with ALF's goals. Additionally, our focus on social entrepreneurship provides sustainable frameworks for initiatives, supporting the long-term development of young people and contributing to a more empathetic society. Gutenberg’s commitment to education and active citizenship aligns perfectly with ALF’s mission to create open and inclusive communities through dialogue and exchange.Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
Joining the Anna Lindh Foundation Network offers Gutenberg an opportunity to amplify its impact and advance its mission of promoting education, dialogue and active citizenship. ALF’s commitment to empowering young voices through dialogue and intercultural exchange aligns perfectly with our objectives. By accessing ALF's resources and programs and connecting to other organisational members, we can extend our reach beyond Romania, fostering empathy and inclusivity. Additionally, joining the Network allows us to learn from successful organisations, strengthen our capacity for social change and build long-term partnerships. ALF's extensive network provides opportunities for collaborative projects, allowing us to leverage resources and address shared challenges effectively. Together, we can work towards a more inclusive, empathetic and resilient society, creating meaningful change in our communities - while empowering young voices in the process.Additional Information
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