Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga

What Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga does

Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga (ZIP), founded in 1998 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is the country's national debate organization, operating as a non-governmental, non-profit institute (registered legal name: Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga; DBA: Pro et Contra – Institute for Culture of Dialogue). The organization coordinates a national debate program spanning primary, secondary, and university levels, supporting more than 60 debate clubs, engaging approximately 1,000 young people annually, training over 1,000 teachers cumulatively, and organizing 150+ events per year including 12 national debate tournaments in Slovenian and English. ZIP's leadership team consists of six members including Rok Hafner, Nuša Stamejčič, Filip Pavšek, and Reja Debevc, supported by a network of 100+ active mentors.

ZIP's product portfolio centers on debate education services rather than software products. Core offerings include debate club network support, national tournaments (OŠ and SŠ), teacher and mentor training seminars, interactive workshops in argumentation and critical thinking, custom corporate training programs in public speaking and negotiation, and the annual World Schools Debate Academy (WSDA), a 7-day residential international program in Kranjska Gora. Technology assets are primarily content-based: web platforms for global learning (GEASA), media literacy (MELITA), and ethics education (COMET); an extensive handbook library (Green Cohesion, AJDA, DNAL, PhotoDebates, WSDC Judge Manual); and the Tabbycat third-party tool for tournament management. The organization does not develop proprietary software platforms with platform-plus-modules architecture; instead, it functions as a coherent suite of debate education services unified by ZIP's methodology and brand.

ZIP's business model is a hybrid non-profit structure combining grant-funded mission delivery with fee-based services. Revenue streams include: (1) European Commission project funding via Erasmus+ partnerships (DEXTER, ActionEU, GEASA, DNAL, COMET, MELITA, PhotoDebates, ADAPT); (2) Slovenian government grants from the Ministry of Public Administration and Commission for the Prevention of Corruption; (3) institutional partnerships such as the Bank of Slovenia's 'Mojstri digitalne prihodnosti' financial-literacy project; and (4) custom corporate training programs priced by scope and duration. School-facing services (debate clubs, tournaments, teacher seminars) are delivered free of charge, while corporate training operates on a custom-pricing, multi-year contract basis. The organization is governed by its team without external shareholders, venture capital, or institutional investment ownership.

Name

Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga

Legal name

Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga

Website

https://zainproti.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Za in proti (ZIP) is Slovenia's national non-profit debate organization, founded in 1998 and based in Ljubljana, coordinating debate education across 60+ school clubs, training 1,000+ teachers, engaging 1,000+ young people annually, and hosting national tournaments and the international WSDA academy through EU-funded and institutional partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Debate Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

akta.pro primary industry

Debate Tournament & League Organizers (EDAMAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School Public Speaking & Debate Clubs (EDAMAOAB), In-School Debate Teams & Speech Programs (EDAMAOAA), Speech & Debate Camps, Intensives & Bootcamps (EDAMAOAN), Debate Curriculum, Lesson Plans & Instructional Materials Publishers (EDAMAOAM), Teacher/Coach Training & Curriculum for Speech & Debate (EDAMAOAL)

Keywords

• Debate education
• Public speaking training
• Critical thinking programs
• Educational methodology
• Corporate communication training

Headquarters

HQ city

Ljubljana

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. European Commission Project Funding: ZIP participates as partner in Erasmus+ projects and other EU-funded programs. Projects include DEXTER, Debating for Diversity, ActionEU, GEASA, DNAL, and others where ZIP contributes content development and training while receiving project funding.
2. Government Grants: Funding from Slovenian government bodies including the Ministry of Public Administration (for Prostovoljstvo za aktivno državljanstvo project) and the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (for Glas integritete project).
3. Institutional Partnerships: Partnership with Bank of Slovenia for the Mojstri digitalne prihodnosti project, which funds debate tournaments and workshops in financial literacy for schools.
4. Corporate Training Services: Custom-designed training programs for companies focusing on public speaking, argumentation, communication, teamwork, and negotiation techniques. Programs are tailored to company goals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ZIP coordinates a national debate program at primary, secondary, and university levels in Slovenia, providing administrative and pedagogical support to over 60 debate clubs, organizing monthly national tournaments and 12 annual national competitions, and engaging approximately 1,000 young people per year. The organization delivers teacher training seminars, interactive workshops in argumentation and public speaking, the annual World Schools Debate Academy (WSDA), and custom corporate training programs in communication and negotiation skills.

Product overview

Za in proti (ZiP) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization whose primary activity is coordinating a national debate program in Slovenia at the primary, secondary, and university levels. The organization operates a single unified program built around debate methodology, providing a network of debate clubs, organizing national tournaments, delivering teacher training seminars and interactive workshops, and hosting the annual World Schools Debate Academy (WSDA) in Kranjska Gora. ZiP's offerings span program coordination (60+ debate clubs, 12 annual national competitions, 1,000+ young participants), professional services (corporate training), educational resources (handbooks, lesson plans, online platforms), and international projects funded by EU programs and government partners. The portfolio does not follow a platform-plus-modules architecture but rather functions as a coherent suite of debate education services unified by the ZiP brand and debate methodology framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Debate Club Network Support ZIP provides administrative and pedagogical support to 60+ debate clubs at primary, secondary, and university levels, including training, workshops, and tournament preparation.
• National Debate Tournaments Monthly national debate tournaments for primary and secondary schools held throughout the school year, covering both prepared and impromptu debate motions in Slovenian and English.
• Teacher and Mentor Training Seminars Interactive seminars on debate methodology for teaching staff at all educational levels, covering debate as a classroom tool, argumentation skills, public speaking, and foreign language learning, with content tailored to school needs.
• Interactive Debate Workshops Interactive workshops in argumentation, critical thinking, public speaking, and debating, typically lasting 5 school hours for groups of up to 18 participants, designed for all students with options for gifted students or civic education groups.
• World Schools Debate Academy (WSDA) A 7-day residential international debate academy held annually in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, focused on the World Schools Debate Format for students aged 13-18, featuring intensive training, practice debates, expert coaching, and international exchange.
• Corporate Training Programs Custom-designed training programs for companies focused on public speaking skills, persuasive argumentation, effective communication, teamwork, and negotiation techniques, ranging from short intensive modules to multi-day programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000 young people engaged in debate programs annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Bank of SloveniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025ZIP collaborates with Bank of Slovenia on the 'Mojstri digitalne prihodnosti' (Masters of the Digital Future) project, conducting debate tournaments and workshops on financial literacy and digital euro topics for primary and secondary school students. The project runs under the patronage of the President of Slovenia and the Bank's governor.
• Commission for the Prevention of CorruptionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2025ZIP collaborates with the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption on the 'Glas integritete' (Voice of Integrity) project, conducting 15 workshops on integrity at secondary schools and organizing integrity-themed debate tournaments.
• International Debate Education Association (IDEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025IDEA organizes the 'From Participants to Leaders' training program for debate mentors in Blokzijl, Netherlands (August 17-23, 2026). ZIP can send up to 10 participants with all costs covered.
• Ypsilon InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 February 2025ZIP partners with Ypsilon Institute on the 'Prostovoljstvo za aktivno državljanstvo' (Volunteering for Active Citizenship) project. Ypsilon provides guidance for integrating volunteers and helping young people transfer skills into the professional world. Project funded by the Ministry of Public Administration.
• International Debate Education Association (IDEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDEA is an international debate organization. ZIP collaborates with IDEA on events like the 'From Participants to Leaders' training program in the Netherlands and participates in international debate exchanges.
• Zavod ŠOLTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP collaborates with ŠOLT on the 'Znanje in orodja za aktivno demokracijo mladih' project, organizing monthly workshops for young people aged 13-29 on debate skills and democratic participation.
• International Debate Education Association (IDEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP has been leading role in organizing European and World High School Debate Championships. IDEA coordinates international debate education activities globally.
• Kulturno izobraževalno društvo PiNAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP partnered with PiNA on the 'Kohezija za vse' (Cohesion for All) project, conducting workshops and debate competitions on EU cohesion policy topics.
• La Finestra – Liberi di Scegliere APScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP collaborates with the Italian organization La Finestra on the ACTION-EU Erasmus+ youth project, promoting civic training and youth involvement in democratic processes across Slovenia and Italy.
• Otvorena komunikacija (Serbia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP partners with the Serbian organization Otvorena komunikacija on the 'Debating for Diversity' Erasmus+ project targeting university students in Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia.
• MCC Cluj (Romania)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP partners with Mathias Corvinus Collegium Cluj on the 'Debating for Diversity' project, organizing international debate forums and exchanges.
• Associazione Società Nazionale Debate ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP partners with the Italian national debate organization on the DEXTER project (connecting debate and STEM education) and other Erasmus+ initiatives. Project involves organizations from Italy, Croatia, Spain, and the Netherlands.
• Hrvatsko debatno društvo (Croatia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP collaborates with the Croatian Debate Society on the DEXTER project and various international debate exchanges and tournaments.
• Commun GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommun Global is a partner in the DEXTER project focusing on STEM education through debate methodology.
• University of LjubljanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Ljubljana participates as a partner in the GEASA project (Upgrading Global Education Across Subject Areas), contributing academic expertise to global education through debate methodology.
• Società Nazionale Debate ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian debate organization coordinating the DNAL project. ZIP collaborates on developing comprehensive debate teaching guides and methodologies across European partners.
• Tilburg University (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTilburg University coordinates the COMET and COMET 2 projects on ethics education through debate. ZIP contributes as associated expert partner developing teaching materials and handbooks.
• President of the Republic of SloveniaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidency provides patronage for the 'Mojstri digitalne prihodnosti' project organized with Bank of Slovenia. This high-level endorsement supports ZIP's educational initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Debate Education Association (IDEA): Global debate education NGO and ZIP's principal international partner. Operates the same debate-for-youth model through clubs, tournaments, academies, and teacher training, and coordinates the World Schools Debate Championship that ZIP helps organize.
• La Finestra – Liberi di Scegliere APS: Italian civic-education nonprofit and ZIP's partner on the ACTION-EU project promoting democratic participation among youth. Comparable mission (civic dialogue and argumentation training) and comparable scale and structure as a small NGO.
• Associazione Società Nazionale Debate Italia: Italy's national debate association and a core ZIP partner on the DEXTER, DNAL, and ActionEU Erasmus+ projects. Runs parallel national tournament circuits, school-club networks, and teacher training programs with a similar non-profit operating model.
• Hrvatsko debatno društvo (Croatian Debate Society): Croatia's national debate organization and a recurring ZIP partner on cross-border Erasmus+ initiatives. Comparable as a regional peer running national debate leagues, school outreach, and international competition representation.
• European Youth Parliament (EYP): Pan-European peer-education program that runs regional and international sessions for high-school students focused on debate, argumentation, and European civic literacy. Operates an overlapping target audience with ZIP and competes for the same EU youth-education funding pool.
• Otvorena komunikacija: Serbian civic-education and debate organization co-leading the Debating for Diversity Erasmus+ project with ZIP. Runs university-level debate forums and youth civic programs targeting the same Balkan and broader European audience.

Broad incumbents

• National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA): The largest national speech and debate organization in the US, running a school-club network, national tournament circuit, and curriculum resources. Comparable in mission and structure to ZIP's role as Slovenia's national debate coordinator, though materially larger in scale.
• English-Speaking Union (ESU): International educational charity promoting oratory, debate, and public speaking across more than 50 countries. Comparable mission around debate education but operates as a broader incumbent with a much wider portfolio including cultural-exchange and scholarship programs.

Emerging players

• Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Cluj: Central European talent-development and debate organization partnering with ZIP on cross-border debate exchanges. Runs university-level debate forums and talent programs with comparable debate methodology but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Commun Global: STEM-and-debate education partner in ZIP's DEXTER Erasmus+ project. Comparable as an emerging player experimenting with debate methodology applied beyond traditional forensics, including science and digital literacy integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Zainproti/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/zainproti
• Instagraminstagram.com/zainproti
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/za-in-proti

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga