What is BIOM?
For us, society is a biome, in other words, a community of life to which everyone can contribute by developing their own strengths. We support vulnerable youth to recognize their strengths and achieve their own goals. In our programs, the principles of partnership, experiential education, and the benefits of nature go hand in hand. The more successful these youngsters become, the more they can give back to society. This is how individual and societall interests meet.
Timeline and Infographics
| 2015 Summer | The idea of our project was born. |
| 2015 October –
2016 February |
We launched the Youth to Youth social innovation competition organized by the Foundation for Democratic Youth. During this process, Magamvadon was formed and we won the first prize. |
| 2016 April – November | We conducted the pilot of our Magamvadon project in cooperation with Szilágyi Erzsébet Children’s Home. |
| 2017 April 18th | Participated in ELTE Innovative Student Idea Competition and took 3rd place. |
| 2017 March – May | Participated in a Civil Mentoring Program organized by PWC |
| 2017 June 28th | Official registration of the BIOM Foundation |
| 2017 November – December | Built partnerships |
| 2018 June 16th | BIOM hosted the first Magamvadon fundraiser, performance hiking |
METHOD AND APPROACH
In our work we use a combination of different methods and approaches.
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
We learn from our experiences. We draw conclusions from our actions and their consequences to our daily lives, through which we develop our skills. The basis of experiential pedagogy is the 4-step process of experiential learning by Kolb (1984):
- concrete experience (CE)
- reflective observation (RO)
- abstract conceptualization (AC)
- active experimentation (AE)
We can learn from everything that surrounds us and our lives if we are aware of the experience and work to integrate it into our personal development.
SYSTEMIC APPROACH
In a system, different independent elements interact with each other. The goal is to maintain a balance. The system protects itself from the environment with a flexible boundary, and all the elements maintain flexible boundaries among each other. When a change occurs in one part of the system, it affects the operation of the other elements. We apply these principles in all our programs. A group of disadvantaged youth forms a system, and the roles that families and caregivers play also influence their behavior and development. Real change can be achieved by taking these factors into account and mobilizing them consciously.
SOLUTION-FOCUSED APPROACH
This concept was originally associated with Insoo Kim Berg (1994) who worked with families in difficult situations and young people growing up in child protection. Through his work he built on their strengths, healthy functioning and existing knowledge-base, with which he could help them work towards a solution. When BIOM works with a group, we follow Kim Berg’s principles by strengthening youth in their values, with which they can motivate themselves towards a responsible adult role.
OUR GROUP
BIOM Foundation is a community of psychologists who are both colleagues and friends. Our approach combines psychological knowledge and experiential education tools. Our work is determined by proximity to nature, and we find that connection to nature is an important and defining element of development.
Noémi László
When changes happen, we often find ourselves in a situation where the previously successful steps we took no longer work at meeting our goals. We simply get stuck and realize we need to change. I believe that learning through experiential education and by connecting to nature is a great way to effect this change because it influences our body, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors all at the same time. Each and every interaction we have through BIOM inspires me, where both the community and the individuals are convinced that through this experience we can truly connect, gain strength, and thrive..
Dóra Gerencsér
Throughout my career as a psychologist, I have learned over and over again that more growth and development occurs when people are willing to try a new approach instead of doing the same thing because it’s more comfortable. You will learn more through new experiences. During my studies, I learned how to lead educational experiences for others in a safe environment that could bring about change in their lives. There are two main principles that I adhere to when working with groups and clients: transparency and partnership. I try to help my clients understand the internal processes that occur in their mind, and work together with the clients towards the goal/aim/purpose we have chosen together.
Edit Vámosi
When I decided to become a psychologist, I knew I wanted to work with kids and teenagers, and for the past 7 years I’ve been working with kindergarteners to young adults. Experiential learning and pedagogy was brought to my attention during my studies, for which I feel very lucky. I try to incorporate this approach and methodology into my daily work so that I can bring change to those I work with. As a co-founder of BIOM, I strive to get more and more young people acquainted with Magamvadon.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
BIOM Foundation’s business model is twofold in order to achieve its goal of supporting disadvantaged young people.
- to obtain corporate and private donations
- to provide various services in the field of outdoor activities, training and development.
Part of our income covers our operating costs and investments in assets. We donate corporate and private donations to the Magamvadon project and other nonprofit programs. The proceeds will be collected until the Fund for the Magamvadon Program comes together. This way we do not depend on inviting tenders/competition, so we can guarantee that the programs we have started will be completed.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Our professional network is based on reciprocity and partnership
- Annomentál https://www.annomental.hu/
- Szilágyi Erzsébet Gyermekotthon
- http://www.cseppgyermek.hu/index.php/hu/otthonok/szilagyi-otthon
- Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány https://i-dia.org/
- Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem https://www.elte.hu/innovacios-kozpont?m=56
- Adventure Therapy Europe http://adventuretherapy.eu/
- Hérics Teljesítménytúrázók Egyesülete http://matra-tura.hu/
WHAT WE DO
Magamvadon
The name of this program, Magamvadon, stems from the concept of “self and wilderness.” This program is for adolescents in foster care. Hiking in nature is the main activity during the program, and the process incorporates training and self-reflection with an expedition journal. Experiences during excursions and expeditions support adolescents in learning cooperation, responsible decision-making, and how to achieve their goals. Activities are followed by a colorful, personal journal, so participants learn to draw consequences from their experiences and transfer them to everyday life.
Magamvadon project in numbers
- 12 adolescents
- 18 group meetings
- 6 hiking tours
- 3 activities, organized by the participants
- 2 expeditions
- 1 expedition journal, to accompany the process
- For 1 year
Benefits for society
The Magamvadon project meets the interests of both the individual and society. Skill development enriches young people’s self-image. Challenges followed by reflections and feelings of success empower them to translate their dreams into intentional goals and break them down into achievable steps. The help, what they get at the right time, pays off and lasts long, because the change happens in their personality. The acquired skills can be applied in other areas of life, such as employment, education, entrepreneurship. The support of disadvantaged individuals also benefits society indirectly, as investment strengthens people-to-people contacts and social capital. Individual success also builds society.
Our services
By engaging in our services, you not only enrich your own life with valuable experiences, but you also contribute to the organization of programs for young people in foster care.
Experiential, education training offers for soft skill development
In both the world of work and everyday life, soft skills such as teamwork, assertive communication, and flexibility, are increasingly important. Success requires a combination of knowledge and soft skills. We offer two types of services for their development. We always tailor our programs to the needs of the particular group.
- Trainings for companies, organizations, adult groups
We organize team-building activities, organization development, and timing of workshops based on the method of experiential education.
We work with the following topics:
- Leadership, delegation of tasks, cooperation
- Connections – nature awareness and mindfulness
- “Me and my boundaries”: boundaries of performance, assertivity, self-boundaries, saying no.
- Efficient communication, conflict resolution
- Trust and connection
- Time management
- Goal setting
- Cooperation of groups and communities
- Programs for High Schoolers
We work with adolescents (above the age of 14) in various ways, ranging from a 2-hour class to one-week long camps. We provide opportunities for improvement of soft skills based on experiential education methods.
We cover the following topics with adolescents:
Community building, getting to know each other
- Teamwork
- Building self-confidence
- Creating a warm group atmosphere based on trust and acceptance
- Conflict resolution
- Feedbacks, improving emotional intelligence
Training & Education
We empower helping-professionals to prepare and apply the experiential education approach to their programs through our training workshops. These 1-3 day trainings can be on topics such as community and skills development, and experiential education.
Magamvadon Hiking Tour
On June 16, 2018, we organized our first fundraising hiking tour in the Matra Mountains. During the hiking trip, participants walk a specific route through the forest within a specified timeframe. Along the way, hikers reach checkpoints where they receive a certificate proving they completed the hike accurately. All ages can participate, they can choose the challenge according to their skill level, with distances of 10, 25, 42 and 52 km. The tour allowed people to experience uncommonly-visited areas of the East Matra Mountains.
The income and donations from this event are used to implement our programs.
Based on feedback from 2018, the first tour was a great success. We have decided to turn it into a tradition and organize the Magamvadon Fundraising Hiking Tour each year.
Support us
Donate
Your donation will support at-risk adolescents by:
- Funding necessary equipment
- Beginning a Magamvadon project
- Co-designing and developing the Magamvadon expedition journal.
- Planning further programs
You can transfer with a simple transaction your donation to our back account.
Account number 16200144-18526516
Bank: MagNet Magyar Közösségi Bank Zrt.
Participate in our programs
We organize many programs. We afford the income on maintaining our organization, and finance our non-profit programs. By participating in our programs, 10-20% of your participation fee will go towards maintaining the BIOM Foundation and funding our non-profit programs.
Volunteering
You can help us with the following tasks:
- assist on our hiking tours
- online communication, branding
- organization
Invite your friends
We would be grateful if you shared our programs with your friends or if you connect us with other people, groups, or organizations who could benefit from our services or support us.