The Youth Work Team in Nógrád

Szilvi, Eszter, Vera and Janka
The Nógrád team of Egyesek works day by day to create real connection points and opportunities for growth for young people living in Szécsény and the surrounding settlements. At the heart of their work are presence, attention, and community building — all of which are often missing from young people’s everyday lives.
The Nógrád region comes with its own unique challenges: there are few programs for young people, opportunities are limited, and often there is a lack of adults who are consistently and reliably present in their lives over the long term. The Egyesek team responds to this gap not with ready-made answers, but with openness and attentiveness.
Professional background and motivation
The team members arrived at Egyesek from different paths. Their professional backgrounds are diverse: community organizing, international studies, social policy, humanities, as well as communication and marketing expertise are all represented. This diversity allows them to work with young people from multiple perspectives while sharing a common set of values.
“I’ve been working at Egyesek for seven years now, and the longer I stay, the more I enjoy it. We’ve developed a great connection within the Nógrád team, which really contributes to keeping the work motivating in the long run.”
— Szilvi
Fieldwork and everyday experiences in Nógrád
Fieldwork does not mean a traditional office presence. The team visits several settlements daily, meeting young people in schools and community spaces. Informal conversations, skill-development sessions, English-language activities, community programs, and event organization alternate throughout their work.
In the field, the team always adapts activities to the needs of the young people, responds to situations as they arise, and gives volunteers the opportunity for creative participation.
“We’ve shared so many memorable days over the years. Fieldwork always brings exciting surprises, often unfolding differently than we planned in the office. The energy and ideas of young people and volunteers continuously shape the process, leading us into new and unexpected experiences, while we keep adapting to the evolving needs of our students.”
— Janka
The team actively coordinates volunteers, accompanies them to the field, and ensures that school and community programs run smoothly. They are currently present in several locations, including Szécsény and Ludányhalászi (in two venues), the Szondi György Technical and Vocational School of the Nógrád County Vocational Training Centre, the Hunyadi Mátyás Primary School in Nagylóc, and the Szent Imre Catholic Primary School and High School.
Volunteers hold English-language and skill-development sessions that not only expand language knowledge but also strengthen participants’ confidence and cooperation skills.
“For me, youth work means continuous development, learning, flexibility, and care. I experience it as a vocation, so the personal and professional aspects are completely intertwined: I’m not a youth worker only ‘during working hours’ — it has become part of my life. My self-awareness, communication, conflict management, and ability to connect with others are all constantly shaped by it.”
— Vera
Youth Center: community and vision
The Ifiház (Youth Center) opening in Szécsény this spring is the team’s most important project. The team jointly organizes programs such as workshops, creative and self-awareness sessions, learning support activities, sports and community events, as well as mentoring and career guidance.
As a result, the number of available programs for young people is continuously growing, and everyone can find activities that interest them.
Eszter pays special attention to social media: she creates content for the Ifiház Instagram from a local perspective, aimed at young people in Szécsény, strengthening their connection to the community.
“Social media plays a major role in reaching young people. When creating content, I follow current trends and aim to produce aesthetic and creative posts that spark interest and encourage in-person participation.”
— Eszter
Real relationships, tangible impact
The work of the Nógrád team is not just about being present: through the programs, young people become more confident, dare to express their opinions, and take responsibility. Feedback from the team, students’ successes, and small everyday stories all reinforce their motivation.
In this way, the Nógrád team of Egyesek achieves tangible results day by day: through presence, attention, shared experiences, and by providing more and more young people with a space where they can confidently grow and connect to a community.