Marek Janiga Email & Phone Number

Slovakia

After several years of volunteering and working in the humanitarian aid sector I founded United for Help to unite and amplify the humanitarian efforts. Our biggest project, United for Ukraine, focuses on coordinating small- to mid-sized organizations working at the front lines of Ukraine under the auspices of the Slovak embassy in Ukraine. Our work also focuses on delivering impactful educational project with the Yazidi minority in the Iraqi Kurdistan, while also supported refugees in Armenia fleeing the Nagorno Karabakh region in the past. Finishing several projects in Slovakia, including providing shelter and care for 53 Syrian refugees or supporting less privileged families.

Slovakia

Thanks to SlovakAid, the official development aid program of the Slovak Republic, Caritas Slovakia is building a 20th well in northern Iraq. Giving water to tens of thousands, thanks to the local partner, Shingala Azad Organization for Social Development. Our projects also include community-based activities such as seminars about hydro management. After co-writing the project proposal and spending several weeks in the region with the local partner, my role is to spread awareness about the situation in the Middle East and the activities of SlovakAid and Caritas Slovakia in the region. Bringing understanding into Slovak society in the midst of a disinformation campaign and waves of hate towards incoming refugees requires a sustainable flow of information about the struggles these people face. My main workload is writing articles, organizing social media campaigns to share awareness, and working with the project manager on project-related administrative tasks.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Coordinating emergency humanitarian aid to the Kherson area during the flood caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka damn. Worked as a responsible person on the ground in Kherson for several weeks taking part in evacuation processes and coordinating aid in the amount of over 50 thousand euros. Working at the Department of International Cooperation collaborating with the network of Caritas Internationalis and other partners in the region.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Co-writing project proposals for the Slovak Agency For International Cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Together with the international cooperation department of Caritas Slovakia, submitted three approved project proposals in the amounts of several hundred thousand euros in Ukraine, Iraq, and Moldova. All three projects were funded by SlovaAid, the official development program of the Slovak Republic.

As a Freelance Journalist, I contributed reporting for the New York Times on topics of the Slovak political situation and controversial policies of the Slovak government under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Working with Andrew Higgins, Pulitzer Prize winner, and the East and Central Europe bureau chief. Starting by covering the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico, and helping to create a profile article of the shooter based on interviews from his hometown. Continuing with the description of the current and former political culture of Slovakia that led to such political division it caused an unprecedented shooting in contemporary European history. Several months after the assassination attempt, covered the Prime Minister’s return to the position and purging of prosecutors, cultural officials, journalists, and others he believes fueled “hatred and aggression” against him.Publishing additional articles in the Slovak journal “Postoj” with a focus on humanitarian and development aid, with reports from Iraqi Kurdistan.

Bratislava, Slovakia

• Leading a group of Future Leaders Exchange Program scholarship alumni in Slovakia • Designing and implementing projects for the FLEX alumni community in Slovakia and abroad• Responsible for all aspects of FLEX alumni projects, including managing teams, budgets, media outreach, and project reporting.• Cooperating with the U.S. embassy in Slovakia, the American Councils’ employees worldwide and other organizations focusing on education in Slovakia

Bachelor'S Degree, Law

Erasmus+ exchange program

Bachelor'S Degree, Law, 3Rd

Activities and Societies: - Elected as one of the two student senators at the faculty of law for the class of 2025. A three-year term.

Sterling Heights, Michigan, Senior

Sponsored by the US Department of State, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program provides scholarships for high school students from 21.

Sterling Heights High School

Activities and Societies: Sterling Heights High School varsity football team. 2021/22 Varsity Wrestling captain