Neftaly: General Overview
???? Mission
Neftaly (short for “Say Project”) is a youth-driven initiative that reimagines the future of parks and public spaces by empowering young people to lead in design, planning, and programming. Neftaly combines innovation, equity, sustainability, and youth leadership to create smarter, more inclusive parks and recreation ecosystems.
???? Expanded Focus Areas
1. Youth-Centered Design
- Co-creation workshops with youth and landscape architects
- Digital prototyping: AR, VR, Minecraft, and spatial planning tools
- Accessible design that reflects diverse youth identities
2. Future-Ready Park Programming
- Mental health and wellness integration
- STEAM-focused recreation and tech in nature
- Culturally responsive programming co-led by youth
3. Smart and Sustainable Parks
- Tech integration (smart benches, AR layers, data dashboards)
- Climate-adaptive design (cool zones, bioswales, native planting)
- Regenerative landscapes that support biodiversity and resilience
4. Equity and Environmental Justice
- Activating parks in underserved communities
- Reclaiming public space through participatory planning
- Elevating youth from historically excluded voices
5. Digital + Virtual Public Space
- Virtual parks to bridge space limitations
- Interactive apps for recreation and civic engagement
- Hybrid experiences (real-world + digital layers)
6. Youth Leadership & Workforce Development
- Training in urban planning, design, civic engagement, and sustainability
- Peer mentorship programs
- Youth internship or fellowship tracks with park agencies
???? Neftaly: Partnership Development
To scale and sustain impact, Neftaly builds strategic partnerships across sectors: government, nonprofits, tech, education, and the private sector.
???? Potential Partner Categories & Collaboration Examples
1. City Parks & Recreation Departments
- Co-design future-focused park plans
- Youth advisory boards for public space decisions
- Pilot innovative programming (e.g., mobile rec tech labs)
2. Educational Institutions
- Service-learning partnerships with high schools and universities
- Youth design challenges for STEAM or civic education credit
- Shared research and data projects (e.g., park accessibility audits)
3. Nonprofits & Advocacy Groups
- Environmental justice collaborations
- Youth climate action programming
- Shared storytelling and campaign development
4. Tech & Innovation Partners
- AR/VR and digital experience development in parks
- Smart park sensor integration + data literacy training for youth
- App development for community engagement and gamified recreation
5. Cultural & Creative Organizations
- Youth-led public art initiatives
- Heritage storytelling in parks
- Music, dance, and performance partnerships
6. Health & Wellness Providers
- Mental health programming in park spaces
- Mobile clinics and wellness workshops
- Trauma-informed recreational activities
7. Funders & Philanthropic Organizations
- Grants to pilot youth-led park projects
- Long-term investment in youth workforce pipelines
- Measurement, impact, and scaling support
???? What Neftaly Offers Partners
| Value Proposition | Description |
|---|---|
| Youth Engagement Expertise | Authentic, equity-centered youth involvement in civic spaces |
| Innovation Capacity | Creative design labs, tech-forward programming, AR/VR projects |
| Community Trust | Grounded relationships with local youth, families, and educators |
| Scalable Models | Toolkit development, policy briefs, and program replication support |
| Shared Impact | Alignment with UN SDGs, climate action, and DEI goals |
???? Next Steps for Partnership
- Co-create a pilot or activation in a local park
- Host a “Future Parks Lab” workshop for youth + stakeholders
- Collaborate on grant funding or RFP submissions
- Launch a joint storytelling or AR experience campaign
- Develop a youth internship program tied to your sector