Annual Workshop Trains Future Hungarian Entrepreneurs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Hungarian American Coalition (Coalition) continues its commitment to empowering the next generation of Hungarian leaders through support of the Ifjúsági Üzleti Program (IÜP), or Youth Business Program, an entrepreneurship and leadership development initiative of the Calasanctius Scholarship Foundation.
Through a recent $8,000 grant from Dr. Peter Forgach, the Coalition is supporting the 2026 IÜP workshop, which provided approximately 30 high school students with an intensive educational experience.
Each year, during the five-day residential workshop, participants work in teams to develop their own business ideas while learning practical skills in finance, marketing, organizational structure, legal foundations, and sales. Experienced mentors guide students as they transform their ideas into realistic business plans.
Beyond entrepreneurship, IÜP emphasizes personal growth and community responsibility. The program encourages young participants to become confident, value-driven individuals who are prepared to take initiative and contribute to their communities—a goal reflected in the Calasanctius Scholarship Foundation motto: “Make a lot, save a lot, give a lot!”
Approximately 10 professional speakers, 10 mentors, and 10 student volunteers participate in the program each year. Many of the invited speakers are alumni of the Calasanctius Scholarship Foundation who studied in the United States and are eager to share their knowledge and perspectives with future generations.
Founded in 2000 by Calasanctius alumnus Zoltán Tóth, the IÜP has reached nearly 1,600 students across Hungary and Hungarian communities in Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. Over the years, participants have developed more than 310 business plans while gaining valuable skills.
By supporting initiatives like IÜP, the Hungarian American Coalition encourages leadership development and helps build lasting connections among Hungarian communities worldwide.