V4Consumers: educating the next generation of consumer advocates

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of consumer organizations in Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Georgia to effectively participate in consumer-centric policy-making processes. It includes a 3-day-long training seminar in Bratislava to educate the next generation of consumer advocates (16 participants) in developing consumer advocacy campaigns amplifying consumer voice.

The main output of the project is a focused capacity-building program designed to strengthen the role of consumer organizations in Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Georgia in shaping consumer-centric policies.

At its core is a three-day training seminar in Bratislava for 16 participants – the next generation of consumer advocates. The goal is to equip them with all the practical skills and knowledge needed to develop and run effective advocacy campaigns that amplify the consumer voice and deliver real results.

In cooperation with government officials responsible for consumer affairs and leading experts in public affairs, media, and community outreach, we will organize at least eight dedicated workshops during the seminar. These workshops will provide hands-on training in key areas essential for successful advocacy work:

• Monitoring Policy and Legislative Processes
• Stakeholder Mapping and Navigating the Policy Environment
• Petitions and Public Consultations
• Coalition Building
• Direct Engagement with Policymakers and Key Opinion Leaders
• Media Engagement
• Social Media, YouTube, and Influencer Outreach

By the end of the seminar, participants will leave with a practical set of tools and the confidence to use them – knowing how to get their issues onto prime-time TV, how to frame their messages, and how to turn public attention into policy action.

This output directly supports the project’s goal of building stronger effective consumer organizations.