Peter Lenčo I am a highly experienced professional with an extensive background in program and project management, youth work, youth policy and civil society development, and academic research. My career spans over 15 years, during which I have held leadership and consultancy roles across various sectors.
I am a Senior Program Manager at the Open Society Foundation in Bratislava, where I lead the Stronger Roots Program. This initiative aims to strengthen civil society organisations by enhancing their resilience, building social capital, and embedding them within their communities. I oversee grant-making and capacity-building activities that involve training, mentoring, and international cooperation.
Before this, I served as the Director General (CEO) of IUVENTA—Slovak Youth Institute, an institution of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. My responsibilities included coordinating the drafting of the Slovak Youth Strategy for 2021-2028, integrating input from NGOs, ministries, municipalities, experts, and youth representatives. I also managed the state’s youth grant schemes and fostered relationships with national and international bodies such as the European Commission, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe.
In addition to my public sector work, I served as a National Consultant for UNICEF, contributing to the de-institutionalization of substitute care for children in Slovakia by developing a national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.
Earlier in my career, I worked with the Children of Slovakia Foundation as a Program and Advocacy Manager. I implemented projects like “Communities Friendly to Children and Young People,” promoting child-friendly policies at the municipal level. My role also involved successful grant writing and managing grants supported by national and international donors.
In academia, I served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Trnava, lecturing on out-of-school education, youth work methods, and social policy. I researched youth-related issues, authored several academic papers, and contributed to international research projects on educational theory and youth work. My academic career includes a PhD in Education focusing on non-formal education, and I have been a visiting scholar at the University of Leicester in the UK.
Beyond these roles, I have worked as an independent consultant, trainer, and researcher, offering expertise in youth work, youth policy, organisational development, project management, and fundraising. I have provided consultancy services to municipalities, NGOs, and public institutions, developing policies, strategic plans, and project proposals. Additionally, I have authored several articles and handbooks on youth work, child rights, and civic participation.
I have been actively engaged in various national and international committees, working groups, and advisory boards, contributing to policies promoting social inclusion, youth participation, and strengthening of civil society. My career has been characterised by a commitment to empowering young people and fostering sustainable development in communities.
In my leisure time, I like reading books, hiking, swimming, going to the theatre, travelling…