Introduction
This conference is organised by the Youth Committee of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1. It is a 4‑day international skills-building event for people who actively support, organise, or want to develop youth engagement in amateur radio.
This conference focuses on the people behind the scenes: volunteers, organisers, mentors who make the youth activities possible; but also the ones who want to enter this area of expertise. It brings together organisers of all ages and radio amateurs of all experience levels to share practical knowledge, build confidence, and create ready-to-use resources for sustainable outreach.
The conference is designed as a hands-on, collaborative working event. Participants will not only learn new skills, but will leave with concrete tools, activity plans, and an international peer network to support their work long after the event ends.
Objectives
The conference aims to strengthen youth engagement in amateur radio by supporting and empowering the volunteers who drive it.
What will participants gain:
- Practical skills in project planning, budgeting, safety, communication, and outreach
- Confidence to plan and deliver youth radio activities with less stress and less guesswork
- Ready-to-use templates, tools, and activity ideas
- Experience working with international and intergenerational teams
- Time to reconnect with the joy of radio, reducing burnout and isolation
By the end of the conference, each participant will have:
- A youth activity plan ready to implement
- Contributed to shared international resources
- Built a peer support network they can rely on after returning home
Preliminary Program
The program combines short presentations with hands-on workshops, collaborative sessions, and informal networking. Each topic is followed by practical application so participants actively develop their own activity plans during the conference.
Daily Structure:
- Morning: Presentations + guided workshops
- Afternoon: Collaborative sessions, resource creation, roundtables
- Evenings: Radio operation, networking, social activities
Topics covered:
Project Planning & Coordination
- Setting aims and objectives
- Breaking projects into manageable tasks
- Creating proposals for member societies
- Writing sponsorship and grant applications
Budgeting & Financial Management
- Budget planning and cost control
- Tracking expenses and reporting
- Understanding hidden costs and valuing volunteer time
Safety & Responsibility
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Risk assessment and risk management
- GDPR and insurance basics
Communication & Promotion
- Social media strategies for youth engagement
- PR basics and outreach to schools and communities
- Practical tools (Canva, scheduling platforms, AI tools)
Engaging Young People
- Designing inclusive, scalable workshops
- Curriculum alignment and universal design
- Creating low-cost, repeatable activities
Problem-Solving & Sustainability
- Managing challenges and difficult situations
- Preventing burnout
- Evaluating success and improving future activities
Technical Details & Deadlines
- Duration: 4 days (including arrival and departure)
- Date: 9. – 12.4.2026
- Location: Holubyho Chata, Veľká Javorina 1048, 916 12 Slovakia
- Language: English
- Capacity: 20 participants
- Age Requirement: 18+
Participation Fees: Participants are expected to cover most costs, ensuring commitment while maintaining accessibility. Attendees are responsible for their own travel costs. We will provide a transfer from the train station in Nové Mesto nad Váhom to Holubyho chata.
- Standard Participant: Full conference fee of 260€
- Student Rate: Reduced fee (limited availability) of 150€
- Motivated Youngster: Up to 5 sponsored places for highly motivated applicants (fee of 50€)
Key Deadlines (indicative)
● Application Opens: 24.12.2025
● Application Deadline: 25.1.2026
● Participant Selection Announced: 31.1.2026
● Fee payments: 15.2.2026