About us
Square of Youth Association (SOYA) is a diverse group of young people brought together by Erasmus+ projects. Many of us have transformed our lives through these projects, developing key competencies, soft skills, and forming connections with friends across Europe, among many other benefits. We are dedicated to delivering youth work at a quality we would expect from ourselves, believing that the best way to engage in youth work is through young people working with young people. We are truly an Erasmus+ generation at Square of Youth Association.
Our mission is to connect Hungarian youth with Europe. We aim to provide opportunities for them to explore Europe, connect with their European peers, and empower them to become active citizens. We encourage them to take initiatives and contribute to their communities.
We also aim and working to:
Help young people learn through non-formal learning activities and enhance their soft skills. Increasing youth participation through our projects and providing international opportunities for young people.
Connect youth with stakeholders and decision-makers, facilitating the translation of youth voices to them and increasing youth involvement.
Promote dialogue among young people from EU member states
Internationality is a core element of our work, as we believe that international opportunities and learning mobilities have a powerful impact on young people’s development and personal growth.
While we focus primarily on three key thematic areas, the diversity and ambition of our members allow us to remain open to additional topics. Our main focus areas are:
Young people as the leaders of the future: equipping the next generation, through our programmes, with key competencies such as leadership and entrepreneurial skills, the ability to engage in dialogue, and debating skills, preparing them to face future challenges;
Active citizenship and youth empowerment;
European-related topics, particularly young people’s European identity, the challenges young people face within the European Union, and what it means to be a European citizen.
SOYA is also a member of the Danube Youth Organization Network and is committed to fostering cross-border cooperation among youth-focused organisations and young people throughout the Danube Region.
Team
Bence Bíró
serves as President and Project Manager. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management and a Master’s degree in International Business and Economics. Bence completed an Erasmus+ exchange semester at NOVA Lisbon Business School. In addition, he represented Hungary in the Danube Youth Council, advocating for young people in the Danube macro-region. He has completed an internship at the Global Water Partnership and has participated in numerous Erasmus+ youth exchanges and training courses, both as an organiser and as a participant.
Gergely Márk Monostori
serves as Vice President and Project Manager. He holds Master’s degrees in Sports Management and Finance, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in International Business. Gergely has represented Hungary at the Global Youth Forum and has extensive experience with various international student associations. He also has experience in writing and implementing Erasmus+ projects. His areas of interest include non-formal education through sport and outdoor education.
Victor Oswago
He is a volunteer at SOYA and an electrical engineering graduate from Kenya with a passion for sustainable development and community empowerment. He holds a degree from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, where he specialized in renewable energy integration. Victor has participated in numerous international programs focused on youth engagement, climate action, and cross-cultural collaboration. He is also actively involved in developing youth initiatives with SOYA.
Noémi Katinka Kovács
She is a volunteer at SOYA, a recent graduate in International Business from Eötvös Loránd University, and currently works as a Junior Project Manager at MBH Bank. Passionate about intercultural exchange and global collaboration, she enjoys discovering hidden places across Europe, trying unique cuisines, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. She has been actively involved in international projects and communities, especially Erasmus+, which she sees as a place where curiosity, culture, and meaningful connections come together.
Our activities
All the activities we implement are created, planned and realized by young people.
Our work focuses on youth entrepreneurship, inclusion, active citizenship and active participation in international mobility programs, providing young people with opportunities to develop skills, broaden their perspectives, and take part in meaningful learning experiences. Regarding entrepreneurship, SOYA implemented the "Entrepreneur in a Week" Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in April 2025. Participants gained essential skills and knowledge to develop entrepreneurial ideas, including business plan writing, pitching, and financing. The project encouraged young people to explore their potential and take initiative in their personal and professional growth.
We are also implemented a Visegrad V4 Gen Mini-Grant project: Policy-Making Hackathon for Young Entrepreneurs, which took place in Budapest from March 5 to 9, 2025. This initiative brought together young people for a 5-day policy-making hackathon, where they analyzed the barriers to entrepreneurship and propose solutions. The outcomes of this project compiled into a policy document and presented to decision-makers and stakeholders, ensuring that young voices contribute to shaping policies that support youth entrepreneurship.
SOYA is strongly committed to inclusion and intercultural exchange. Our ESC-30 Solidarity project, "Board Games for Inclusion", focuses on bringing together Hungarian and international young people in Budapest through board games. This initiative creates an informal space where young people from different backgrounds can meet and play together. The project started in September 2024 and board games became a regular local activity of SOYA in Budapest, helping foreign young people settle into their new surroundings while providing local young people with opportunities to engage in intercultural experiences.
We also play an active role in democratizing access to Erasmus+ opportunities. Many young people are unaware of the different mobility programs available to them, so we organize Erasmus+ information sessions that introduce them to various possibilities, including Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). By providing clear and accessible guidance, we aim to ensure that young people from all backgrounds can take advantage of the opportunities the European Union can provide them.
As part of our outreach efforts, SOYA exhibited at Sziget Festival 2024, engaging directly with festival-goers to promote Erasmus+ through interactive and engaging activities. Our presence at the festival allowed us to connect with a broad international audience, answer questions about mobility programs, and encourage young people to explore new opportunities. Moving forward, we aim to expand our presence at festivals and public events, ensuring that Erasmus+ reaches even more young people in these settings.
In addition to our structured projects, all SOYA members have extensive experience in Erasmus+ programs, having participated in youth exchanges, training courses, university Erasmus+ semesters, and ESC volunteering projects. Some of our team members have also been involved in Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, while others have designed and facilitated non- formal learning activities in international settings. Our deep personal engagement in these initiatives has shaped our approach, ensuring that our projects are youth-centered, impactful, and directly relevant to the needs of young people today.