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 key component of our activities because we believe that international opportunities and mobilities have the potential to improve young people's learning and growth on a high level.
We primarily focus on three key topics, but due to our diversity and ambition, we are open to many other areas as well. The three key topics are:
Entrepreneurship and empowering young people to become entrepreneurs. Several of our members became entrepreneurs at a young age. We believe entrepreneurship not only as a business endeavor but also for its entrepreneurial skills, which are great soft skills in many aspects of one’s life.
Active citizenship and youth empowerment. Aiming for our projects and activities can have a multiplier effect and create impact on a broader scale.
Topics connected to the European Union and being a European citizen.
SOYA is also a member of the Danube Youth Organization Network and is committed to fostering cooperation among youth-focused organizations in the Danube Region. We find this particularly important in facilitating meetings with decision-makers and establishing cross-border collaborations.
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. Additionally, he represents Hungary at the Danube Youth Council, advocating for youth in the Danube macro-region. He was also a representative of Hungary at the COP Youth Section. Bence has completed an internship at the Global Water Partnership and has participated in numerous Erasmus+ youth exchanges and training courses.
Gergely Márk Monostori
serves as vice president and project manager. He holds Master's degrees in Sports Management and Finance, along with 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 conducting Erasmus+ projects. His interest areas include non-formal education through sports and outdoor education.
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.