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Mentorship and direction
You enter an environment where experienced colleagues help you develop your path, recognise your strengths and connect them with concrete projects.
The Young Professionals Development Programme is a structured pathway from personal initiative to guided learning, project-based training, possible traineeship opportunities and — where a genuine project need exists, the quality of work is assessed positively and funding is secured — employment within projects of the Institute for Demographic Future.
Slovenia needs a new generation of professionals able to connect data, social change, psychology, economics, artificial intelligence, local development and European policy. This programme exists so that we can begin developing them today.
We are not creating a pool of volunteers. We are building a community of people who understand that a country’s future does not begin with statistics, but with people willing to take responsibility for it. We believe that lasting change does not happen overnight. It is built through knowledge, character, cooperation and the willingness to create something that will remain long after us.
Each member enters an environment in which they learn to think, write, analyse, present, cooperate and take responsibility for real projects.
You enter an environment where experienced colleagues help you develop your path, recognise your strengths and connect them with concrete projects.
You contribute to research, workshops, analyses, European initiatives, communication, events and projects with public value.
You learn to work as part of a serious institution: responsibly, precisely and respectfully, with a sense of public reputation and the long-term value of your work.
The programme is not limited to one discipline. Demographic future requires people with different talents: from researchers to communicators, from analysts to organisers.
Demographic analyses, municipal profiles, indicators, sources, methodology and interpretation of trends.
Work on partnerships, calls, EU programmes, project logic and international communication.
Workshops, evaluations, school materials, development of educational methods and field work.
News, posts, media, video, public speaking, LinkedIn, Facebook and institutional tone.
Use of artificial intelligence for research, visualisation, analysis and new digital solutions.
Round tables, expert meetings, student evenings, national discussions and presentations.
Planning, coordination, responsibility, deadlines, quality and cooperation with external partners.
Understanding social issues, drafting positions, preparing speeches and contributing to discussions.
Young people can become involved gradually. The first phase creates space for learning and testing genuine interest. The second phase enables concrete project work. The third phase is possible only when there is a legal basis, mentorship, a real project need and funding.
Introductory module, reading data, short analyses, mentorship, understanding demography and responsible public communication.
The candidate takes on a limited and clearly defined task: a municipal profile, workshop, research note, survey, public post or part of a project application.
Where work is of appropriate quality and funding is secured, a traineeship, student project role, contractual cooperation or employment may become possible.
Already at the application stage, the programme should assess which pathway is realistic for the candidate: a student project, training, work trial, subsidised employment, scholarship-based cooperation or a project-funded role.
On-the-job training, work trials, subsidised youth employment, Zaposli.me, Learning Workshops Plus and other current programmes.
Project-based problem learning for students in a working environment, with the Institute as a partner on research and social challenges.
A long-term connection between the student and the Institute, especially for profiles the Institute will need in future project years.
International placements, solidarity projects, Horizon Europe, MSCA, Interreg and other partnerships that support project work and talent development.
Municipal demographic profiles, youth workshops, local analyses, intergenerational programmes and strategic advice.
Companies, foundations and public partners can co-finance a young researcher position or a thematic research module.
A strong network is essential for the long-term development and employment of young professionals: universities, municipalities, companies, public institutions, funders and mentors. The programme therefore has a dual invitation: for young people to apply and for partners to co-finance project positions.
They can propose students, research topics, academic mentors and project-based forms of cooperation.
They can commission local demographic profiles, workshops and data analyses for long-term planning.
They can co-finance a young researcher position, a project application module or the development of digital demographic tools.
The programme is designed to enable gradual growth. We do not expect people to know everything at the beginning. We are looking for those who want to learn, take responsibility and, over time, become part of the organisation’s core.
First contact with the programme, a motivation letter and reflection on why you want to be part of the story.
An introductory period, getting to know the Institute, the mentor, the projects and the basics of its working culture.
Contribution to concrete content, analyses, events or projects with clear responsibilities.
Independent responsibility for smaller project segments, preparation of materials and coordination with the team.
Planning and delivery of an entire project, including work with partners, deadlines, quality and results.
A long-term role within the institution: mentoring others, public representation and development of new fields.
Each member of the programme should have a clear development direction. The mentor supports the choice of projects, understanding of the organisation, personal growth, problem-solving and gradual assumption of responsibility.
A true mentor does not create dependency. A true mentor builds confidence, clarity and the ability for a person to one day become a mentor to others.
Introductory conversation, personal development plan, understanding of interests and agreement on first tasks.
Review of progress, challenges, new knowledge, responsibilities and goals before the next meeting.
Assessment of development, review of competences, decision on the next path and selection of more demanding challenges.
We are interested in character, curiosity, reliability, respect, the ability to learn and a sincere desire to work on issues that matter for the future of society.
Why you want to be part of the programme, what interests you and what kind of mark you wish to leave.
A conversation about interests, values, time, expectations and possible areas of cooperation.
A trial development period with a mentor, clear tasks and feedback.
If the cooperation is confirmed, the member receives a development plan and more demanding project tasks.
Not necessarily. More than prior experience, we are interested in your attitude to work, reliability, curiosity, ability to learn and willingness to take responsibility.
Yes. The programme is designed to allow gradual involvement. The scope of cooperation is agreed according to real availability, interests and projects.
Yes. Mentorship is at the heart of the programme. The purpose of a mentor is to ensure that a member is not left alone, but has clear direction, conversation and feedback.
Research, analyses, workshops, European projects, events, public content, communication, AI solutions and the development of new Institute initiatives.
The programme is not a promise of employment. It is, however, a structured development pathway which may lead to a traineeship, project contract or employment where work is of high quality, a project need exists and funding is secured.
The learning and introductory phases do not in themselves constitute employment or paid work. Paid forms are possible where they are arranged through student work, placement, training, subsidised employment, a project contract or another lawful basis.
Possible partners include municipalities, universities, companies, foundations, European projects, public calls and organisations that wish to support the development of professionals for demographic future.
It will require people who can think long term, work responsibly and connect knowledge with the real needs of society. If you wish to be part of the founding generation, this may be the beginning of your path.
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