Live with Opportunities – Interview with Judit Kriska-Jámbor

ELTE English in the Media Specialisation

Apr 28

written by Karola Csápek

Just before Easter, I had the opportunity to meet Judit Kriska-Jambor who happens to be the head of Innovaform Non-profit Ltd. (http://www.innovaform.hu), which is a non-profit organization and one of the many profiles of the Ltd. is to host and organize Erasmus+ projects in Hungary and abroad as well. I find it interesting and important to gain more information of how these projects work since I feel that sometimes we – students - do not take part in projects because we do not know enough of them, and we do not have time or energy or patience to do research on them.

Judit is remarkable, intelligent, and really helpful. Since it was raining outside – and previously we decided on meeting in a park near to her apartment –, she was kind enough to invite me to her place and offered me a coffee. After a friendly chit-chat, the interview began. Before the interview, I had prepared some questions which I wanted to ask, however, as we started to talk and as Judit went into depths of her life and work, the questions seemed to be useful only to lead the conversation and since it became more of a conversation than an actual interview and I am glad that it turned out this way although, I have to say that for the questions I can only rephrase what I have jotted down during the talk and I cannot claim to quote Judit word by word and everything that I am sharing is allowed by her.

Firstly, Judit told me how she became the head of the organization. She started her studies in English Language and Literature at JATE in 1992 and meanwhile she also finished Italian language teacher college and worked in a bar and a language school in Szeged. She finished an MBA at Budapest University of Technology and Economics specialized in HR and simultaneously opened her language school in Szeged which specialised in teaching English for employees of various companies. In 2013, after a divorce and years of working in the field of HR, she felt that she needed to change something in her life. After thinking everything through, Judit realised that she started to study because she wanted to teach, and teaching motivates her. Perhaps it was a coincidence that one of her friends offered her to take the – then-already-existing company – INNOVAFORM Ltd.

Judit Kriska-Jámbor/Facebook

Why did you start to host and participate in Erasmus projects?

Judit started to take part in Erasmus projects through INNOVAFORM since it provides non-formal teaching methods and participants get to know more of several topics, themes through activities and games.

What would you advise to someone who wants to open an organization? Approximately, how much energy, time and money does it take for a new organization to become financially successful?

It takes enormous time, energy and expenses to start an organization, Judit advised me to check Erasmus Guide, which explains how the youth (people aged below 28 years) can work in an association even without owning on organization or NGO since it is quite challenging to start an organization from zero even so if you study and work next to it. And in terms of finances, she smirked at me. It is difficult (if possible) to monetize these organizations, but that is not even the point, she told me. The point is to work on networks, get to know as many people and as much organizations as possible.

What does it take to organize a project here in Hungary?

It depends, around a year with the preparation, the project and then the evaluation (questionnaire, report). Firstly, organizations have to come up with an idea, create a thorough excel sheet of the planned training (precisely in time – plan it hour by hour for each day of the training course) and then they have to talk with other, foreign partners sign a mandate of the project with each partner. The hosting organization has to fill a 50–60-page long application form which includes everything – from the goal of the project through the programs to the number of participants and nations to the budget – of the project. After that they can send everything to the National Agency, and then it is decided if the organization wins the application – and receives the grants by the EU. If yes, the organization has a year to conduct the project and they can start to actually advertise the project, and after each project the participants have to fill in a form and the host organization has to produce a report to the National Agency

How are foreign projects conducted?

As a partner organization, INNOVAFORM signs the mandate and advertises the projects in Hungary, recruits participants who will take part in the given project.

How often do you organize projects here in Hungary?

Every year if possible but since it is quite time and energy consuming to prepare a project and mostly it is not even won, sometime a year goes without hosting a project however, as a partner the organization and as a guest trainer, Judit participates projects multiple times a year.

What would you advise for someone who would like to participate in a project?

Judit recommends taking part in as many projects as possible since it is great not only because participants can travel cheaply or even for free (travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the EU), abroad, but gain experience and knowledge of other cultures, peoples, ideas, and they can practice ESL. Also, the projects cover a topic (communication, online working skills, career development, solidarity, etc.), so you can gain a lot of new knowledge and new methods related to the topic. She really advises these short-term projects for everyone.

Just to finish the interview, speaking with Judit was refreshing and motivating. She is lovely and it amused me how much she cares and that she is passionate about the projects and to work with others, teach others. I can now see how much work it is to conduct a project and now I think I will be even more willing to take part in them.

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