Connecting Kysuce
with Europe and the world
KERIC is a non-profit non-governmental youth organisation working with children and young people aged 7 – 30, as well as adults from the Kysuce region. We offer a wide range of activities with an international dimension that develop the personality of children and young people and adapt to the needs of individuals and groups. Our mission is to connect our Kysuce region with Europe and, step by step, with the whole world.
How it all began
KERIC was founded in February 2003 by Mirka Petríková and Ivka Hrušková in response to the needs of local youth. Children were given the opportunity to complement their school English education in an alternative way. One of the initial missions was also to inform about the benefits of the Slovak Republic's accession to the European Union – hence the name Kysuce European Information Centre, i.e. KERIC.
Over the years, KERIC has evolved and more and more opportunities for personal growth have been added to its portfolio – not only for local people, but also for foreign volunteers. Dozens of young people take the opportunity to travel and experience unique adventures in countries all over the world. In return, volunteers from abroad come to Čadca every year, sharing their culture and customs and teaching languages through fun activities.
Today, we are an accredited organisation for both the European Solidarity Corps and ESC HumAid Volunteering – alongside projects across Europe, we send a growing number of volunteers to humanitarian projects, for example through the LO-CA project to communities in Ecuador, India and Vietnam. All about volunteering →
What we do and why
Volunteering abroad
We send young people aged 18 – 30 to European Solidarity Corps projects all over Europe, and through our ESC HumAid accreditation also to humanitarian projects for volunteers up to 35. Volunteers gain new skills, improve their language abilities and help a good cause – accommodation, food and travel are covered by the EU.
Open projects →Volunteers in Čadca
Since 2002 we have hosted more than 201 volunteers from over 40 countries. They lead language courses, camps and activities for children and young people, and share their cultures with the whole region. Curious what a year in Čadca feels like? Read what 267 days in Slovakia taught David.
Meet our volunteers →Youth exchanges
We also send groups of young people aged 13 – 30 on international youth exchanges. The aim is for them to meet peers from other countries, spend time together (from 6 to 14 days), cooperate during activities and communicate in a foreign language. In this non-formal way, young people gain new experience, knowledge and contacts. Most recently, 38 young people from five countries met at the More Energy, Less Stress exchange at Ľadonhora.
Exchanges and trainings →Cooperation with schools
We cooperate long-term with primary and secondary schools in the Kysuce region. Throughout the school year, once or twice a week, volunteers from abroad visit schools and help motivate and educate pupils and students, especially in foreign language classes. We also co-organise Deň INAK ("A Different Day") – most recently for 741 students of the Čadca Grammar School – and the International Day at the Kysuce Library.
Workshops and events
For local youth we organise regular educational activities such as workshops on engaging topics, weekend retreats, webinars with guests, creative workshops for school clubs and the very popular International Christmas. During online schooling we also prepared virtual Escape rooms for children.
Language courses
Every year we open language courses for different age groups, led by our foreign volunteers together with Slovak teachers. Through interactive activities you overcome the fear of speaking, improve your vocabulary and grammar, and get to know the cultures of our volunteers' countries. Many people have learned English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Russian with us – and, of course, Slovak.
More info and timetable →Summer camps
Every summer we organise camps for children aged 7 to 16. An international team of leaders, intense experiences with peers in nature, plenty of exciting activities, joy and a great atmosphere – all of this helps children get to know themselves better and develop their potential. Want to see it in action? Read the report from our 2026 day camp – eight days, eight themes and leaders from nine countries.
Camps on offer →Community projects
We care about the place we live in. Through the "Lavička si hľadá kamošku" project we transformed the unused Kysuca riverbank into a relaxation zone for all generations together with the local community, and every spring we organise the charity run DOBRObeh, whose proceeds help those who need it most. You can also join local life through local volunteering.
Adult education
Our past activities also include computer courses, trainings, seminars, workshops and club activities on a wide variety of topics. We are building on this tradition: for teachers we organise the Učenie je IN conference on innovative, inspiring and inclusive education, we created a methodology for organising Deň INAK at schools, and we train youth workers at the international IN & OUT training. Alongside adult language courses, more trainings and seminars are coming – follow our news.
Get in touch →International projects
Together with partners from all over the world, we tackle topics that matter to young people through Erasmus+: with Not Just a Game we prevent radicalisation through sport, with MIND and LESstress we support students' mental health, and in OUR WORLD we virtually connected young people from Slovakia, Estonia, Kenya and Nigeria.
All our projects →We love everything we do
We keep learning and adapting to new conditions. We try to fill the gaps in society – doing what is meaningful and what helps people fulfil their visions and needs. We create space for young people to express themselves and grow. We discuss even the topics people rarely talk about – creatively and openly. Every obstacle moves us forward, and so we grow together.
We will be very happy if you join us. 💚
Your KERIC team
