PiNA

PiNA was established in 1998 on the initiative of the Open Society Institute. In the first period of operation activities were focused primarily on providing access to the Internet as one of the preconditions for the development of an open society. In 1998, PiNA opened the first online café in Slovenia. In 2004 PiNA moved her business to a new space at Kidričeva 43, known as eKavarna. It also housed an event space, where events have been held regularly since then. During this period PiNA operated according to the concept of an open house, in which the organization represents only a framework and support for activities proposed and implemented by users. In 2008, PiNA underwent a thorough overhaul. Needs in society have changed, and while great strides have been made in the development of the information society, needs have emerged in other areas. The management of the organization was taken over by the current team with a renovation plan that lasted for two years. We had a vision of an organization that operates on a professional level and can provide quality services to users. We have begun to perceive the operation of PiNA and the NGO sector in general as a catalyst for social progress. Based on the heritage of the organization, we have developed a concept consisting of different programs that intertwine and complement each other. Within the programs, we develop activities and specific projects, connect with other key actors, encourage the active participation of civil society and fill in the blanks with missing content. During this period PiNA began to develop its own multimedia production and implement international projects. PiNA has achieved and in some respects surpassed the vision it had set as an organization in the past. It consists of 14 full-time employees, more than 40 external collaborators involved annually. We supplement our information, counseling and mentoring programs with constant connection with key stakeholders via the official website, social networks and e-notifications. We implement quality and innovative projects in various programs, which we develop together with local, regional, cross-border partners and partners from other countries in Europe and the world. We are involved in various networks and initiatives at the national level and have the status of operating in public interest in the field of youth. PiNA’s main activities are divided between three pillars: (1) strengthening of the NGO sector (advocacy, educational activities, networking activities), (2) development of a critical and responsible society (project work, creation of new didactic and educational methods, research) and (3) international (co)operation (collaboration on key international issues in order to provide common framework for action). PiNA has experience with coordination of international projects (Interreg Danube, Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, European Social Fund, Norway’s Financial Mechanism) and has a wide thematic reach (non-formal education, active citizenship, youth employment, socially responsible entrepreneurship, capacity building of/for NGOs), 14 full-time employees, with educational backgrounds in Psychology, Education, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science and Law, and more than 40 external experts. PiNA is specialized in the development of educational modules and didactics and has three experienced trainers that have worked for national ministries, the Council of Europe, Erasmus+ national operators and similar institutions. PiNA has experience in organizing and implementing workshops in schools/youth NGOs and has developed a strong relationship with many primary and secondary schools in Slovenia and local and national youth NGOs.