Podkum - A Small Village with a Big Heart and a Digital Drive

Podkum is a peaceful village nestled beneath Mount Kum in the municipality of Zagorje ob Savi, the only local community on the right bank of the Sava River. It encompasses the hamlets of Borovak pri Podkumu, Gorenja vas, Mali Kum, Padež, Osredek, Podkum, Rtiče, Rodež, Sopota, and Šklendrovec — with old churches, waterfalls, and the legend of St. Agnes. This is where Kulturno društvo Podkum (Cultural Association Podkum) operates — an association that successfully stepped into the digital age through volunteer-driven enthusiasm and the smart use of free tools.

Mateja Kos - The Heart of the Association

At the center of this digital transformation is Mateja Kos, a volunteer since her teenage years, when she joined the tourism committee of the local community. In 2007, she joined the association, became its secretary four years later, and in 2016, she was elected president.

From 2004 to 2014, she led the parish Oratory program. Today, together with a team of leaders, she organizes activities for children and a week-long summer program called Urlaub na vasi (Holiday in the Countryside), which brings together local associations, restaurants, and businesses, offering children a screen-free vacation experience. "There is nothing more beautiful than a smile on children's faces and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome," says Mateja, who is most motivated by children's smiles and their new friendships. Volunteering has given her experience, communication skills, and resourcefulness, but above all, the feeling that she is changing her community with heart.

Free Tools as the Foundation of Digitalization

The digital presence of Kulturno društvo Podkum (Cultural Association Podkum) is largely built on free Google tools that complement each other well:

• Google Sites for their website
• Gmail for communications
• Google Docs and Google Sheets for collaborative writing and teamwork
• Google Meet for meetings

The Pandemic Turning Point

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated their digital development. The association adapted remarkably well, organizing events and even general assemblies entirely online.

When choosing a video conferencing tool, they tested several options:

• Zoom had a 40-minute limit on the free plan
• Webex was too complex to use
• Messenger had a limited number of participants in group chats
• Google Meet turned out to be the best choice — no time limits and truly simple to use

Hybrid Meetings and Young Innovators

Today, the association still occasionally uses Google Meet for hybrid meetings, where some members attend in person while others join online. This is especially important for university and high school students living in dormitories, who remain active members despite the distance.

It is precisely the young members who bring fresh ideas from their academic environments. For example, they introduced Forms.app for surveys and online event registration forms, which offers:

• Visual customization (backgrounds, colors, styles)
• Integration with other tools such as Gmail, and data export to Excel
• Automatic email confirmation to the person who submits the form

Digital Literacy as the Key to Success

The successful digitalization of the association relies not only on young innovators but also on the general digital literacy of all members and local residents. The tools they use require a certain degree of proactiveness and engagement from participants. In this regard, the leadership team, headed by Mateja, plays an important role — always ready to answer questions about using the various tools.

Conclusion: An Inspiration for Other Associations

The story of Kulturno društvo Podkum (Cultural Association Podkum) proves that successful digitalization does not require a large budget — what it takes above all is willingness, collaboration, and readiness to learn new things. The combination of free tools, motivated volunteers of all generations, and openness to innovation is a recipe that many other associations across Slovenia could follow.

Their approach shows that digitalization is not merely a technological challenge but, above all, an opportunity to better connect members, make events more accessible, and maintain an active community even in difficult times. Through its digital transformation, the association has demonstrated that even a small village beneath Mount Kum can become a model of modern cultural association operations — where tradition successfully intertwines with digital tools, and heartfelt dedication remains the driving force behind all activities.