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ZRS Koper and Zavod Cene Štupar together in training young social impact leaders

Published 11. May, 2026

ZRS Koper, in cooperation with Zavod Cene Štupar – CILJ, is participating in the implementation of the Youth Impact Manager (YIM) programme within the framework of the international PILLARS project. The programme is an innovative training initiative for young people, focused on developing competencies for managing projects with social and sustainable impact.

The YIM programme (6 ECTS / 150 hours) is designed for young people aged between 18 and 25 who are interested in sustainable development, social impact, project work, and personal growth. It is based on the PILLARS project competency framework and aligned with European frameworks such as EQF, ESCO, and GreenComp. The programme enables participants to gain knowledge and skills in systems thinking, ethical and digital leadership, social impact measurement (SROI), financial project management, and public speaking.

ZRS Koper participates in the programme as a co-implementer and content partner, as an organisation proposing real-life challenges from the local environment, and as the host of the final event and YIM certificate award ceremony, which will take place on 13 June 2026 at ZRS Koper.

As part of the programme, young participants will develop concrete and feasible solutions to selected challenges faced by youth centres and organisations, including challenges related to the further development and upgrading of the YIM programme itself.

Between 8 and 10 May 2026, one of the key programme modules took place in Koper – Module 3: “Impact Project in Practice”, featuring intensive workshops on:

  • the use of artificial intelligence in developing impact-driven projects,
  • prototype design and testing,
  • creating compelling presentations and videos,
  • teamwork and networking.

The workshops were also attended by Aleš Pevc, Head of the Technology Office and Development Projects at Tehnološki park Ljubljana (TPLJ).

The Youth Impact Manager programme encourages stronger connections between young people and the real needs of their communities, while empowering them to play an active role in co-creating positive social change. Through its participation in the PILLARS project, ZRS Koper contributes to the development of new approaches to youth work, sustainable innovation, and the strengthening of competencies among future social impact leaders.

The PILLARS project (Scaling Impact via Policy, Projects, Processes and Professional Skills, ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PI-ALL-INNO, project no. 101187220) is funded by the European Union. On behalf of ZRS Koper, the project is coordinated by Ana Šajn.