ZIP, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga/Pro et contra, institute for culture of dialogue  was established in 1999 as a non-governmental and non for profit organization. It co-ordinates, informs, educates, researches and promotes debate activities in order to improve the quality of the culture of dialogue in Slovenia. ZIP considers itself a creator of a peaceful coexistence and communication, it contributes to development of democracy and raises civil awareness of people.

Za in proti main mission is to empower youth with skills, knowledge and opportunities for active citizenship  for  participation in the public life and advocacy.  Training activities of different types from workshops, weekly debate clubs meetings, debate academies and tournaments are the basic core of the program, where young people practice their critical thinking skills, build arguments for and against different societal controversial topics, conducting researches and analysing it, discuss the important issues of the contemporary world in an organized and structured manner. Part of the program activities are also youth organizing public discussions at schools at local communities level.

ZIP main activities are: coordination of  a network of 50  debate clubs for youth, annually  minimum of 1000 young people and 150 teachers, youth workers, volunteers are involved on regular weekly basis; organising and running different  debate and advocacy trainings for youth, youth workers,  teachers, elderly, different NGOs outside the Za in proti network; creating different curricula,  youth workers, teachers and students manuals, on-line training materials  for formal and un formal education; organising  and promoting round table discussions, public, Radio,  TV  debates, online-debates  on different topics all over Slovenia.  In the last few years  ZIP has been involved in numerous international Erasmus+ projects with main focus on developing training material for teachers for using debate as an active method in the classrooms when teaching different subjects and curriculums and training material for debate educators, youth workers and debaters for strengthening critical thinking and advocacy skills in different settings. Furthermore, only in the last three years  Za in proti staff and volunteers conducted trainings – in person and online for students and teachers from other countries -  for more than 5000 students and 500 teachers.

Za in proti has 3 full time employees, a group of  20 trainers, who also serve as writers and evaluators, around 40 volunteers, in majority of cases alumni of  Za in proti highschool program,  and  90 coaches/mentors of debate clubs. Za in proti is an institute, having an executive director and a 7 members board of directors, who consults and oversees the operation. The program is structured in such a way that encourages gives opportunities  and trains  youth involved to transit  from beneficiaries of the program to executor of the program.  The volunteers, trainers and also employees are  in vaste majority alumni of the Za in proti programs.

Adress: Svetosavska ulica 24, 1000 Ljubljana
Office: Valjhunova ulica 11, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: info@zainproti.si

Open Communication is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting a culture of dialogue and fostering opportunities for informal education since 1997. By establishing and supporting all of Serbia’s debate clubs, we have empowered thousands of high school and university students to develop their public speaking and critical thinking skills. Thanks to decades of success, Serbia's debating community is recognized for its exceptional talent and has proudly hosted prestigious events such as the European University Debating Championship in Belgrade (2012) and Novi Sad (2018), the World Universities Debating Championship (2022, Belgrade), and the World Schools Debating Championship (2024, Belgrade).

The organization actively supports over 20 debate clubs across high schools and universities in Serbia. It provides curricula, trains debate coaches, and collaborates with educators to ensure the clubs’ continued growth and effectiveness.

Address: Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 18/2, Belgrade, Serbia
ID: 17203827
Legal representative: Katarina Lazic