PDCS / The Joy of Learning, Deliberation, and Change

The Joy of Learning, Deliberation, and Change

Our mission is to educate people and help them to reach a consensus directly, to engage them in public decision-making processes, to understand the distinct worlds people live in, and to cope with the changes around us. We try to keep people talking. We are a non-governmental organization from Slovakia, which is where we do most of our work. However, our activities and projects transcend Slovakia’s boundaries, as they reach pan-European dimensions. We are also part of the global Partners Network - 22 organizations from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Latin America that are connected by the values of democracy and non-violence.

People are driven to radicalism by very human needs

Fascinating interview with Julia Ebner. A researcher who has entered many violent radical communities. She went undercover to their meetings, learned their ideology, made friendships and contacts.

Nonviolence as superpower

Nadine Bloch: Is it possible and good to eliminate violence from social conflicts? What does it mean nonviolence? Nadine is an activist, facilitator and trainer, a woman who lives the nonviolent methods of social change through her career. She is a member of the organization Beautiful Trouble https://beautifultrouble.org/ that collects wisdom and experience with positive change by nonviolent methods.

What we do

We work on the capability of people to talk to each other.

We educate people in the areas of conflict and development; we conduct community meetings and processes of participatory decision-making. We focus on three main areas:

Our projects

Projects help us fulfill our mission.

  • Project: FOREST: Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking Spaces and Strengthening their Capacities

    Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking Spaces and Strengthening their Capacities through Individual Mentoring and Value Mainstreaming in Hungary and Slovakia

    In Hungary and Slovakia, civil society organizations (CSOs) face increasing pressure in a climate where fundamental rights and EU values are being challenged. Restrictive legislation, limited funding opportunities, and public stigmatization contribute to a shrinking civic space and create a chilling effect on activism.

    • Lukáš Zorád / Director, Programme Manager

      Lukáš Zorád / Director, Programme Manager

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  • Project: Resilient Europe

    The Resilient Europe project combats polarisation by equipping educators, youth workers, and young people with practical tools for conflict transformation and civic resilience. It provides training, digital tools, animations, and youth-led initiatives to foster critical thinking, inclusive narratives, and cross-sector collaboration. Through education and engagement, it strengthens dialogue, democratic participation, and long-term resilience against societal divisions.

    • Lukáš Zorád / Director, Programme Manager

      Lukáš Zorád / Director, Programme Manager

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  • Project: RESIST

    Resilience and Empowerment of Civil Society Through Transnational Learning and Mentoring in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia 

    The RESIST project aims to strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs)and civic activists through transnational learning, peer exchange, individual mentoring, and capacity-strengthening support.

    • Filip Vagač / Senior Consultant and Facilitator

      Filip Vagač / Senior Consultant and Facilitator

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We provide tailored services

Is your organization going through a process of change, and does it need to define its strategic goals? Are you planning a ting with different stakeholders? Are you an organization looking for a partner to create a study visit for your participants? Have you finished a project and you are looking for an evaluator? Check out our offer of services. We will be happy to help you implement your plans and activities, and provide consultation.

  • Would you like to contact us?

    Are you interested in our services and you would like to establish cooperation with us? Are you looking for project partners in the topics we deal with? Contact us.

  • PDCS

    Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia

    / +421 2 5292 5016