Cohesion for All

ZIP, together with RTV Radio Koper – Capodistria, is a partner in the project Cohesion for All (Kohezija za vse), led by the Kulturno izobraževalno društvo PiNA and supported by the European Commission, DG REGIO.

Within this project, ZIP conducts workshops in primary and secondary schools where, using debate methods, students are introduced to the purpose, content, and projects supported by cohesion policy, particularly in the fields of social affairs and education. In addition, students in debate clubs also participated in primary and secondary school debate tournaments, two in autumn 2023 and two in spring 2024. At a public debate, they had the opportunity to discuss with experts and policymakers what cohesion policy can do to improve youth independence. In workshops and debates, students practiced skills needed for better participation in decision-making processes, especially in identifying and debating problems and projects that cohesion policy aims to address.

The highest-ranking teams from eight schools in the secondary school national debate tournament also competed in a radio debate tournament at RTV Radio Koper - Capodistria in June 2024. The finalists of the radio debates were awarded a trip to Rome.

Project activities also include teacher seminars, where teachers gained basic knowledge and information about cohesion policies and were introduced to fundamental debate techniques that place students at the center of the learning process. A series of educational videos was also produced, which remain available after the project’s conclusion for both students and teachers who wish to practice their debate skills and learn about aspects of cohesion for all.

Project events included:
Primary School National Debate Tournament, 23 March 2024, OŠ Venclja Perka Domžale
Debate topic: Cohesion funds should be invested in the development of non-professional and recreational sports instead of professional sports.
Public Debate on Youth Independence, Gimnazija Ptuj, 12 April 2024, 14:00
Secondary School National Debate Tournament, Gimnazija Ptuj, 12–13 April 2024
Debate topics:
• Within cohesion policy, less funding should go to public institutions and more to NGOs.
• All companies receiving cohesion funds must ensure worker- and family-friendly workplaces.
• In the absence of other financial resources, cohesion policy should enable immigrants to learn their mother tongue.

More about the project: https://www.pina.si/portfolio/kohezija-za-vse-s-kohezijo-do-bolj-socialne-evrope/