Start your September in Leipzig with ONE OF SEVERAL long term ESC projects

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Organisation: Soziokulturelles zentrum “Die VILLA”
  • Location: Leipzig, Germany
  • Deadline for application: 24 of February 2020 – To apply scroll till the end
  • Start of project: 1st of September 2020
  • End of project: 31st of August 2021 (12 months )

VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN LEIPZIG: ESC

We are supporting and hosting organisation for the voluntary service „European Solidarity Corps“ (ESC). We have different hosting organisations in Leipzig and offer voluntary places every year.

Our volunteers live in shared flats. Everybody has an own room and share bathroom and kitchen. The flats are full equipped and have internet connection.

During the voluntary service, volunteers get budget for food, transportation and pocket money. It is financed by the EU programme European Solidarity Corps.

We are offering young people the opportunity to volunteer in Leipzig, in general for a period of twelve months.

We offer a variety of placements in the social, cultural and educational sector.
If you are interested in taking part in ESC, you should be between 18 and 30, live in an European or partner country and be willing to commit your time, energy and enthusiasm to volunteer for a longer period of time.

OUR HOST ORGANIZATIONS IN LEIPZIG:

 

ESC – bilingual kindergarden: KiTa Hohe Straße (one place)

project topics: pedagogy and didactics, afternoon activities with kids (age: 2 to 7 years, eating, singing, dancing, music, games…), creative activities

volunteer profile: age 18-26 years / French applicants because the kindergarden has French/German profile and French/German bilingual groups / language: basic German knowledge is requested (A2) / interest in working with children / some practical experience in the work with children is welcome

project detailspdf

ESC – bilingual kindergarden: KiTa Thomasiusstraße (one place)

project topics: pedagogy and didactics, afternoon activities with kids (age: 2 to 7 years, eating, singing, dancing, music, games…), creative activities

volunteer profile: age 18-26 years / Italian or English applicants because the kindergarden has bilingual groups / interest in working with children/ some practical experience in the work with children is welcome

project detailspdf

ESC in Media laboratory in Social Culture Centre »Die VILLA« (one place)

project topics: one ESC place: media laboratory (work with children and youth within media pedagogical projects, assistance of preparation, process and follow-up of courses and workshops)

volunteer profile: age 18-30 years / language: basic German knowledge is required (A2 / B1) / interest in working with children and youth/ active and interested in social and cultural work / interest in media and media technics

project detailspdf

ESC in Social Culture Centre »Die VILLA« (one place)

project topics: manual reparation of bikes, assist local community with fewer opportunities to develop their own projects, conceptual thinking, media-pedagogical projects, support of weekly “Filmclub”, language evenings, music projects etc.

volunteer profile: age 18-30 years / language: basic German knowledge is required (A2 / B1) / interest in working with children and youth/ active and interested in social and cultural work / interest in media and media technics

project details: pdf

ESC – international youth work: »Kindervereinigung Leipzig« (one place)

project topics: international youth work (support and take part in international youth projects), youth work like creative games and sportive activities, cultural youth education

volunteer profile: age 18-30 years / languages: basic German knowledge is requested (A2 / B1), good English knowledge / interest in social and cultural work / some practical experience in the work with children and youths is welcome

project detailspdf

ESC – Montessori Kindergarten (two places)

project topics: Kindergarden, pedagogy and didactics, afternoon activities with kids eating, singing, dancing, music, games, creative activities…

volunteer profile: interest in working with children/ some practical experience in the work with children is welcome, interest to see and live the Montessori-concept, basic German knowledge, open-minded and communicativ

project detailspdf

ESC – After school care/nursery at Nachbarschaftsschule (one place)

project topics: pedagogy and didactics, afternoon activities with kids (age: 6 to 12 years, eating, singing, dancing, music, games…), creative activities, after school, homework

volunteer profile: interest in working with children/ some practical experience in the work with children is welcome, be openminded and interested in free/progessive/reform pedagogy. A basic knowledge of German is essential. A plus is if the volunteers speak French native because of the bilingual profile.

project detailspdf

ESC – open youth club Rabet (one place)

project topics: afternoon activities with kids and youth (age: 10 to 18 years; sports, music, games…), creative activities

volunteer profile: open-mindedness for all religions and social backgrounds, interest in working with youths and some practical experience in this field, asertiveness, friendliness and humour, German knowledge is needed.

project detailspdf

ESC – cultural youth work: »Kinder- und Jugendkulturwerkstatt JuKuWe« (one place)

project topics: artistic youth work (theatre, ceramics, art, literature, pottery, drawing, photography), leisure time activities with children and youth, creativity and culture, pedagogy

volunteer profile: age 18-25 years / language: basic German knowledge is a plus / interest in our social and cultural work / some practical experience in the work with children and youths is welcome

project details:pdf

For any further questions feel free to contact us by email or phone number

Apply by sending us your CV and Motivation letter (with the subject of your email mentioning the exact project) by 24th of February on advit_team@yahoo.com

Training course (Un)mapped grounds in Slovenia

  • Training course topic: (Un)mapped grounds organized by YOUTH CENTRE OF DRAVINJA VALLEY
  • Activity dates: 16.03.2020 – 24.03.2020
  • Number of participants: 2
  • Deadline: 24.01.2020
  • Location: Gorenje nad Zrečami, Slovenia

ABOUT YOUTH CENTRE OF DRAVINJA VALLEY

Youth centre of Dravinja valley was established in 2003 by Students club of Dravinja valley and is a private institute and social enterprise that is working with youth on local, regional, national and international level. Our vision is activation of young people, promotion of active citizenship, raising cultural competencies, increasing social responsibility, promoting youth mobility and non-formal education. Youth centre of Dravinja valley also provides space for the operation of a number of youth associations in the municipality, music groups, choirs and other organizations. In the local area we are perceived as an important player, we are achieving the highest ratings among youth centres on the national level, internationally we are among the most active youth organizations.

Our core activities are divided into 4 pillars: youth centre, cultural event centre Patriot, intergenerational centre and social incubator Kreaktor. In “youth centre” our main activities are youth mobility projects (organizing, hosting and sending), local volunteering promotion and activation, support to other organizations, intercultural dialogue activities, non-formal education
modules development, implementation of youth, sport and cultural events. In cultural event centre Patriot we take care of promotion of young unknown bands, organize concerts, performances, reading clubs, exhibitions etc. Intergenerational center is carrying out activities that connect generations (daily activities). Program pillar “Kreaktor” promotes social entrepreneurship, co-
working and carries out activities that gives youngsters knowledge and increases their employability.

More info about the organization on www.mcdd.si

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Youth centre of Dravinja Valley (MCDD) is a highly experienced organization in the field of youth work and a recognized player at the local, regional, national and international levels. During the years we have been noticing that the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation of youth workers is very hard, mostly because of unstable funding, which resulted in a rapid change of staff. The youth workers who form a permanent core of MCDD are therefore prone to burnout, occasional non-motivation and loss of contact with youth. That is why we have decided to establish a model of sustainable organizational development and staffing monitoring plan. The model takes into account various internal and external factors that affect the youth worker, organization and youth work as such. The establishment of a sustainable MCDD development plan was a systematic process. Due to good results within MCDD, we wish to share our model with partner organizations of the project.

Goals of the project:
• mapping out youth workers’ personal and professional characteristics and the impact of both on youth work and the development of the organization;
• who is the ‘’ideal’’ youth worker and how we want to get closer to that ideal;
• the circumstances and working conditions of the organizations in which youth workers operate and how to influence them;
• the challenges of youth work and how to address them through collaboration, the exchange of good practices and different methods;
• the traps of getting burnout at work and how to avoid it;
• the importance of an internal balance for effective communication and relationship with the outside world;
• identifying the challenges with which young people, youth workers and society in general in partner countries and other societies are facing;
• the importance and effectiveness of methods for building healthy societies, that are emotionally engaging and at the same time have sufficient space for critical reflection and judgment;
• the situation of marginalized, discriminated target groups who, due to various systemic and social barriers, do not have a real opportunity to access social goods;
• creative power of youth worker and the creative power of teamwork to address different social phenomena through youth work;
• the importance of a program such as E + for sustainable development of youth work,
• activation of youth workers and young people;
• to promote Erasmus+ program: Youth in action and opportunities offered by the program in the field of youth;
• to promote Youthpass as a tool that contributes to strengthening the social recognition of youth work.

Results of the project:
• providing participants with a tool for becoming aware of the state of different personal dimensions within themselves and definition of themselves and their own work;
• participants will learn/create/share new methods of work with young people for addressing the various and current needs of young people and encouraging their active participation;
• issuing an e-publication in which the methods and the identified challenges and possible solutions will be collected;
• increasing the visibility and importance of youth work.

PARTICIPANTS PROFILE

From each country we’re looking for:
• 2 youth workers/leaders;
• with a low or medium level of experience in youth work;
• between 18 and 35 years old;
• with at least basic English language skills;
• with an interest in gaining knowledge and skills for professional and personal development within youth work;
• with an interest in sharing methods and tools after the training course;
• fully motivated to participate in 100% of activities.

Additional VERY IMPORTANT notes:

  • Please find the cheapest way of travelling. You are eligible only to use public transfer. Costs of coming by car or car rental, taxi fares, … will not be reimbursed. Before booking you have to get approval from our side – Mladinski center Dravinjske doline!
  •  The meeting point will be Youth centre of Dravinja Valley located at Žička cesta 4a, 3210 Slovenske Konjice. From there we will provide transport to the venue of the training course in Gorenje pri Zrečah. Due to that 5€ per person of reimbursement money will be deducted.
  • If participants spend more than the maximum reimbursement amount, it will be participants’ responsibility to cover the rest of the traveling cost. If participants spend less than maximum reimbursement amount, they will be only covered for the amount they spent.
  • The reimbursement will be done by bank transfer, only after we receive all original travel documents (receipts, ticket, boarding passes, …). We need all your original receipts, tickets and boarding passes so make sure you keep all your original travel documents for both ways!

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Organizers will provide accommodation and food during the whole period of the training course. There is no participation fee. The accommodation and food costs during the training course will be fully covered within the project. Due to the fact that we will provide transport from Slovenske Konjice to Gorenje 5€ per person of reimbursement money will be deducted.

 

VENUE OF THE TRAINING

Training course will take place at the inn Gostišče Smogavc, from 16. 3. until 24. 3. 2020.
Location: Gostišče Smogavc
Address: Gorenje nad Zrečami 27, 3214 Zreče, Slovenia

TRAVEL INFO

VENUE OF THE TRAINING COURSE

A few professional photos from the venue:

 

Apply by sending us your CV and Motivation letter (marked with a project name) on advit_team@yahoo.com

Feel free to contacts us for any questions

Various long term project in Denmark (Dansk ICYE)

HERTHA LEVEFÆLLESSKAB

  • Theme: Disability
  • Activity dates: 1st of July 2020 until 31st of July 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

The project, Hertha, is a living community for mentally handicapped situated in a small village, Herskind, consisting of with families and singles, who integrate themselves into the lives and rhythm of the handicapped. It is integration, where normal people integrate into the lives of handicapped.
The living community consists of 2 houses with 19 mentally handicapped residents. The residents have different psychological and mental restrictions and some of them are also physically impaired, but all of them are able to walk. The level of function varies from nearly “normal” to few without any verbal language. Most are aged 18-30 years, but few are older.
In the village there are different workshops which are used in the project: Bakery, biodynamic market garden, biodynamic farm, dairy, weave shed, kitchen and laundry where the mentally handicapped work. In the workshops we produce products spent by the residents in the village and furthermore the bakery and dairy produce products to be sold in ecological shops to kindergartens and other institutions in the area.

Volunteer profile

  • non-smoker
  • punctual – the volunteer must show up on time to the agreed activities
  • tolerant, open, extrovert who can take part in our daily life with a positive attitude
  • calm personality, flexible and accepting of adjustments to plans since changes can occur with short warning

Volunteering at the project

  • the volunteer will live at the project
  • Herskind is a small but quite vivid community, there is a small grocery, a community house where cultural and social events are celebrated, a sports club, were they play soccer, handball and badminton and where the volunteer can join the activities.
  • the pedagogy at the project uses the Rudolf Steiner principles – these will not be taught explicitly, but are practised
  • supervision and instructions will be provided by pedagogues specialised in working with mentally handicapped
  • the main activity for the volunteer will be to support the disabled in the workshops according to interests and specific knowledge and experiences. The volunteer will support in the bakery and kitchen.
  • if the volunteer has a driving license, he/she will be in charge of being a chauffeur to different activities
  • being able to play an instrument would be relevant, but not essential
  • volunteers will only work with the less disabled and challenging disabled

Photo Book

THE INTERNATIONAL-A BOARDING SCHOOL IN VEDERSØ

  • Theme: Youth/education
  • Activity dates: 3th of August 2020. – 7th of July 2021.
  • Number of volunteers: 3
Description of the project

The International Academy and Boarding School of Denmark is the only 100% English speaking efterskole in Denmark, where students aged 14-17 can combine the unique experience of attending a Danish efterskole/boarding school, with its proven educational and personal development qualities, with an international education. The school is a part of the self-governing institution Vedersø Idrætsefterskole (Sports College), which is one of Denmark’s leading sports and gymnastic schools.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 22
  • preferably volunteers with a good level of english and university educated
  • motivated, adaptable and flexible
  • previous experience working with children
  • previous teaching experience is highly recommended
  • an interest for foreign languages
  • a passion for one of following activities: dance, media and communication, football or badminton are important, as these are core subjects at The International
  • prefered french, spanish or german speakers

Volunteering at the project

  • planned activities will vary depending on the participant’s individual skills, personal background and experience
  • our range of informal and formal activities will give the volunteer the chance to use of their skills – linguistically, artistically, socially, and physically
  • volunteers will assist in the classroom as both a guest teacher (and language assistant where relevant)
  • volunteers will be given the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into the teaching profession and gain experience working with young people
  • a responsibility to contribute to social activities in weekends and evenings
  • volunteers will live at the school

Selection

  • interviews will take place in English in person or via Skype

FJORD&BÆLT

  • Theme: Animal/Environment
  • Activity dates: August 2020-August 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

Fjord&Bælt is a combined research and experience centre which communicates knowledge about marine life in the waters of Denmark. Fjord&Bælt is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to get close to marine animal life. At Fjord&Bælt we have a daily routines of training and feeding our three porpoises – Eigil, Freja and Sif – and our playful seals – Svante, Tulle and Naja. The animals live and swim in true-to-nature basins continuously supplied with fresh seawater from the fjord and strait. The centre is visited by aproximatly 60-55,000 guests each year.

Fjord&Bælt have approximately 12 full-time employees year round, not including the many interns, volunteers and part-time staff. The Research department consists of a team composed of a Danish department leader and two Swedish trainers. Danish and foreign interns and volunteers assist in all the daily tasks, such as observing, training, feeding and playing with the porpoises and seals.

We at Fjord og bælt have always had interns and volunteers from all over the world and think it is a nice way for people to learn about research, education, animal husbandry and training. We also think it is an important part of our work to give this opportunity for people who are interested. Other than this, we think that it is interesting to work with people from different cultures, both to teach them about our culture but also to learn about theirs. Additionally, we also make an effort to have a social life with interns and volunteers outside of work.

In the beginning the volunteer will learn all the daily tasks that are necessary for the daily routines, such as fish sorting, kitchen cleaning, assisting the trainers and maintenance of the facilities. After an individual period of time the volunteer will start feeding the animals and start to learn how to maintain a few basic behaviors with the animals.

Volunteering at the project

  • The role of the intern will be to help with the daily flow in the fish kitchen and in time participate in the feedings/training sessions of our animals. In the season where the center is open it is also important to help in giving the guests a great experience which means answering questions and so on.
  • To be a volunteer at Fjord&Bælt you will have the opportunity to learn about porpoises and seals. Both about their biology and how they live in nature. We do a lot of research especially with our porpoises and through this you will learn a lot about them as a species.
  • You will also have the opportunity to learn about their daily husbandry and care and also the basic rules of how to train animals.
  • There are also opportunities to learn about the animal life and ecosystems of the Danish waters.

Read Jaime’s – former volunteer at “Fjord&Bælt” – blog about his time in Denmark

VESTJYLLANDS HØJSKOLE

  • Theme: Youth/Education
  • Activity dates: 1st August of 2020 until 1st August 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 1
Description of the project

Vestjyllands Højskole is a Folk High Schools that offers non-formal adult education. Most students are between 18 and 26 years old. We have no academic requirements for admittance and there are no exams, but you get a diploma when you leave.

We have dance, ecology, theatre, singing, music, ceramics, painting ,writing, and cooking on the schedule.
We have an ecological profile and we are able to produce all the energy needed ourselves. We have a large ecological garden, which is maintained by local voluntaries.
As a volunteer, you will be working in the garden, but in your spare time you will have the opportunity to take part in the above mentioned as well.

Volunteer profile

  • interest in education and ecology
  • willing to engage in the practical work in the organic garden
  • flexible and mature
  • interest in sustainable gardening and permaculture
  • we look for a young male

Volunteering at the project

  • the volunteer will gain knowledge of ecological gardening and farming;
    • knowledge of plants and the diversity of the earth
    • how to make the earth fertile and fruitful
    • knowledge of coexistence between, man, animals, and plants
    • knowledge of the importance of plants in regards to our health
  • the volunteer will spend most of the time working in the garden and in that way he will contribute to the overall mission of the garden
    • the creation of new social and cultural networks between Danes and foreigners through ecological gardening and the use of those products in the kitchen
    • strengthen the knowledge in the local community about the importance of the food in relation to health and a healthy life
    • create an ecological research and demonstration garden that inspires to form the basis of a constructive community, which in the future will attract new citizens
  • Besides gardening, the volunteer will be faced with tasks of craftsmanship, especially carpentry and tasks such as bartending, management and cleaning
  • the volunteer will live at the school

LIMFJORDSSKOLEN

  • Theme: Disability
  • Activity dates:  1st September 2020. – 30th June 2021.
  • Number of volunteers: 2-3
Description of the project

Limfjordsskolen is a residential school for young disabled people between 17 and 20 years of age. The school offers a specially designed education based on the students individual competences and challenges and this education is given to all young people who cannot complete a normal youth education even with extra assistance and adapted curriculum.

At Limfjordsskolen we have 42 students, 11 teachers and 25 social workers and each student has a room of their own and lives in family groups of up till 13 other students. The young people who all have severe learning difficulties stay at the school for up till 3 years and come from all over the Northern part of Denmark.

The main purpose of the school is to equip and strengthen the students in becoming as independent and active in their own life as possible, and in spite of their handicap be an active citizen in the local community.

Limfjordsskolen is located in the town of Logstor which is beautifully situated at the banks of Limfjorden. The environment is very influenced by the fjord and the town is an old fishing town. Today the fishing trade has declined and it is now smaller industries and companies doing different kinds of services but in the summertime, Logstor is full of tourists, many sailboats and visitors are coming due to the lovely seaside.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 22
  • willing to be part of a learning community for disabled young people
  • willing to put in their skills and efforts in the daily life with them
  • ready to learn from the staff

Volunteering at the project

  • the main purpose of the school is to equip and strengthen the students in becoming as independent and active in their own life as possible
  • in addition to the basic curriculum the student can choose from different areas of interest; Nature, sport and health, art, music.
  • the school also has a protected workshop where 10 adults with severe learning difficulties works with arts, theatre, cooking and maintenance work
  • the volunteer will be involved in the social life of the students – play games, go to the cinema, go shopping, go to the café, go on trips and tours

MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE

  • Theme: Animal/Environment
  • Activity dates:  15th of August 2020. – 14th of August 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

The Marine Biological Research Centre in Kerteminde is part of the Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark. Kerteminde is on the island Fyn, an island in the middle of Denmark. Any other part of the country is within easy reach by public transport.

The centre is internationally known and focuses on all aspects of marine research, both in the field and in the lab. The center has projects with focus on sponges, jellyfish, blue mussels and other filter feeding animals; as well as a bioacoustics labs where we house grey seals, cormorants and harbour porpoises.

Volunteer profile

  • people with a biology or psychology background, or people with animal experience.
  • all interested person will be openly considered with a special focus on motivation for learning and strong work ethic

Volunteering at the project

  • assisting in daily research sessions and training sessions with the 2 grey seals, 2 cormorants, and 2 turtles
  • assisting in the daily animal care and husbandry of the animals
  • cleaning and maintenance of the animal areas and facilities
  • the volunteers will be put through a training regime in learning animal behavior, behavior modification, and animal training
  • the volunteers will also learn about the bioacoustics, psychophysics, and testing paradigms
  • as a volunteer on this project, you will be living with a Danish host family.

BUSTRUP HOVEDGAARD

  • Theme: Youth/climate/organic farming
  • Activity dates: 1of August 2020 – 31 of July 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

Bustrup Dagskole (Bustrup Day School) is looking for volunteers for a duration of 6 – 9 months with a working time of 30-35 hours a week. We are situated in the countryside in a beautiful landscape and our volunteers should also like to live away from the city with outdoor activities every day as well as sports.

We are looking for people who are 18-30 years of age, speaking good English and have a genuine interest in climate and ecology questions. We are looking for people who like to share life and work with like-minded people, who are willing to take up challenges, working in after-school programs with youngsters with special needs, building up friendships and working with both mind and hands in our Garden Farming, husbandry and information work in the community.

Bustrup Dagskole is running a café in the Danish summer where lots of people visit every day. We imagine that volunteers coming in the summer should help running the café together with staff and students from our Day School. Bustrup Dagskole is also running a fitness centre and a gallery and here there will also be tasks together with students and teachers.

At our school centre we practice a strict no alcohol and no drugs policy. Our teenage students are vulnerable youngsters and come from various difficult backgrounds. We do not permit any alcohol or drugs at our school.

Bustrup School Center is looking for volunteers who want to take part in the “Change Generation”. People (18 – 30 year of age) who want to dedicate some of their time and life for learning and acting to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change. People, who enjoy being part of an international community and enjoy working with head and hands. People who want to improve their English skills and learn numerous other skills. People who want to learn about pedagogy and teaching in theory and practice.

Volunteer profiles

  • aged 18 to 30
  • a background as: youth workers, teachers, pedagogues, craftsmen and –women, builders, sports instructors, health and social workers, unemployed people, or students
  • strong interest in: dissemination of climate knowledge, hands-on work in an organic garden, supporting vulnerable young people
  • having a basic knowledge of English

Selection

  • interviews will be conducted via Skype

Accomodation
The volunteers live, learn and work together at Bustrup School Center. The volunteers have a mentor – or a teacher. Each module – mostly a week at a time – has its own headline, introduction, theory, and practice. Each module is evaluated by each participant and by the group as well. The mentor will call the volunteers for meetings to discuss and evaluate and guide the different challenges in the daily programs – formal as well as informal learning. The volunteer writes a midway report. The mentor writes a final report on each volunteer’s achievements.

Learning outcomes
Participants should be opopen-mindednd communicative from the beginning. The learning will be learning-by-doing. At Bustrup School Center, the volunteers will experience team work with international colleagues, networking skills, working with deadlines and reports, sharing life conditions and responsibilities and building Best Buddy relations with youngsters with special needs. Through the program the participants will improve and learn the following: written and spoken English, pedagogy skills, knowledge about the World, Knowledge about global warming and climate change, project management, skills like carpentry, building, cultivation, animal care, cooking, and cleaning, cooperation skills, learning to speak in front of many people, cultural skills like singing, playing theater, and painting posters, economy, and physical exercise.

The school has a strict no alcohol/no drugs policy.

AAGAARD EFTERSKOLE

  • Theme: Youth/Education
  • Activity dates: 11th of August 2020-30th of June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 1
Description of the project

Aagaard Efterskole is a part of a network of schools in Denmark, known as “Efterskole”. “Efterskole” is a unique schooling concept found only in Denmark. Broadly speaking it is a private boarding school with government grants that provides Secondary School education for young people at the age of 15 to 17.

Each “Efterskole” chooses its own profile and an area on which it will focus its teaching, in addition to the compulsory subjects. Our school focuses on academic skills, traditional Danish gymnastics and optional subjects (music, creative, sport, and practical subjects).

Aagaard Efterskole’s founding values are based upon Grundtvig/Kold social-cultural values, whose general principles are general education, co-existence and enlightenment for life, emphasizing putting historical, political and cultural issues into context. Pupils’ participation in the cultural debate is also seen as an important part of the individual’s personal development.
The staff currently consists of 17 teachers and 6 other members of staff.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 20
  • a volunteer with interest in working with children and young people
  • interest in foreign languages and sharing knowledge about Europe and his own country, culture, and language
  • willing to engage in all aspects of the life on the school
  • hard-working and flexible

Volunteering at the school

  • a timetable will be provided every week, which will give the volunteer a chance to use all his skills; linguistically, artistically, athletically, and socially
  • it’s important to note that the school is technically open 24/7, though time will be given in lieu if the volunteer has been asked to contribute weekends
  • the volunteer will have the opportunity to work as a language assistant with co-operation with other teachers in the classroom
  • the volunteer will have the opportunity to contribute during musical activities, sport activities, skiing, and other optional lessons
  • participating in the daily tasks of the boarding school; monitoring of cleaning and mealtimes, planning evening activities, helping with homework etc.

Selection
Aagaard Efterskole would like to ensure that they receive the right candidate by carrying out interviews on Skype in German or English.

KONTAKT MELLEM MENNESKER

  • Theme: Children
  • Activity dates: 1st September 2020 – 30th June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

Kontakt mellem Mennesker/Contact between People is a volunteer social association whose vision is a strong, visible and diverse civil society. The organization strives, through various areas of effort (Volunteer center, Self-help, Anonymous volunteer counseling, Community of interest projects and Charity shop) to promote a strong, visible and diverse civil society where anyone can make a volunteer contribution, seek help and support, and take part in meaningful communities – regardless of age, ethnicity, handicap and social status. Daily, Kontakt mellem Mennesker strives to enhance solidarity between people, while respecting their cultures and their traditions, and aim to build a community of shared responsibilities and mutual support – they believe that all people can make meaningful contributions to society e.g. through engaging in volunteer work or taking part in different communities.

Volunteer profile

  • Proactive and strong on taking initiative
  • Able to speak and write English
  • A keen interest in the areas with which Kontakt mellem Mennesker works: promoting volunteerism, community work, supporting other NGOs and the establishment of communities of interest
  • An open mind towards people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds
  • Knowledge of IT

Volunteering at the project

  • The Volunteer at Kontakt mellem Mennesker will work with their staff and ca. 100 volunteers to discuss and initiate activities for people who want a volunteer job or who need help to get on with their lives.
  • At this association they help many different types of people, both those experiencing a life crisis common to most, but also the marginalized and persons with a non-Danish ethnic background.
  • The volunteer will also contribute to the planning of activities, projects and running a large volunteer house for our city’s social associations.
  • The volunteer’s concrete tasks/projects will depend on their competences and interests.
  • Tasks could be, for example:
  • 1.Reception function, where you greet people and associations needing help
  • 2. Participation in marketing our programs (PR, distribution of materials, social media, trade fairs)
  • 3. Participant or project leader on your own project/activity (for ex. party for volunteers, workshops for associations, international café)
  • 4. Function as handyman/woman (for ex. preparation/arrangement of meeting rooms, meeting planning)

KATTEGATCENTRET

  • Theme: Animals/Environment
  • Activity dates: 1st of September 2020 – 30th June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 1
Description of the project

The Kattegatcentre is a dynamic and exciting place where you can experience the ocean and its animal life. The visitors get a unique experience and obtain new knowledge about the ocean world and in our aquariums you can experience animals and fish from all over the World. Shoal fish from the Danish coasts, crabs and lobsters from the North Sea, sharks and rays from the tropical oceans, seals and even some freshwaterspecies.

In the school service we aim to support and deepen the teachings in biology at schools – ranging from primary schools to higher educational institutions. We have the second largest school service among Danish zoos and aquaria, and annually teach 13.000 children.

The Kattegatcenter is situated at the habour in Grenaa, 3,5 km from the center of the town. Grenaa is a town with 13.500 inhabitants and the Kattegatcenter is important to the town attracting many tourists to the area. The weather in Grenaa can be windy and rough during wintertime, but for perople interested in sea and nature the area has a lot to offer.

Volunteering at the project

  • the volunteer will learn about ocean animal life and ecosystems as well as maintaining an aquarium
  • the volunteer will learn to promote scientific knowledge to an audience
  • large variety of tasks: Construction of new aquaria, cleaning and maintenance of the existing aquaria, feeding and nursing of fish and the other marine animals, and any other activity which keeps the exhibits in order and well-functioning.
  • tasks and responsibilities will depend greatly of the volunteer’s age, interests, and qualifications
  • the volunteer must be aware that some of the animals are dangerous. We will of course provide the necessary supervision in order to avoid dangerous situations, but the volunteer must follow the given rules when dealing with the animals.
  • the volunteer will be living in a host family

RØNDE FRIE SKOVBØRNEHUS

  • Theme: Children
  • Activity dates: 1st September 2020 – 30th June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 3
Description of the project

The Kindergarten and nursery “Rønde Frie Skovbørnehus” is beautifully located in the middle of a forest, only 5 min walk from the seaside. We have four groups of children aged 0-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6 under the same roof with different outside activities and right now we have 50 children and 8 staff.
A town of Rønde is only three minutes away by car or bus. All necessary items can be bought in Rønde, which is located half an hour away from Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city.

The kindergarten activities follow the seasons very closely. Recently harvest took place and we had a celebration inviting the families. In the winter, we make bonfires to make food, such as soup, but also to keep warm. Sometimes when the weather gets rough we find shelter in the stables or do gymnastics/sports in the gym. However, every year we hope for a snowy winter because we love playing and sledging in the snow.

We also do a lot of singing and playing, storytelling, drawing, painting and many other activities and the volunteer is expected to take active part in the activities.

Volunteer profile

  • basic level of English
  • smoking is not allowed
  • good social skills and interest and motivation in working with children
  • no previous experience at working at kindergartens is required

Volunteering at the project

  • the kindergarden is specialized in daily outdoors living
  • we believe it is mentally and physically healthy for children to be outdoors for most of the day
  • a member of the staff will be a tutor and supervisor for the volunteer
  • the volunteer will be attached one of the groups and help the staff in the daily work
  • the volunteer is also expected to do activities with the children

Selection

  • interviews will take place in English via Skype

REJSBY EUROPEAN EFTERSKOLE

  • Theme: Youth/Education
  • Activity dates: 1st August 2020 – 30 of June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

The school is located in the little village of Rejsby in Southern Denmark on the west coast of Jutland, just 5 km from Wadden Sea National Park and 45km from the German border.

Currently, the school has room for 139 students with a fairly equal balance between girls and boys. The students come from a variety of backgrounds both financially, socially and academically and all are welcome to apply to the school for the 9th or 10th grade. The students live and study at the school for one year only.

The students must understand that they will be living away from home for the best part of a year and are expected to participate in a small community, where teamwork is very important considering that the students live, work, clean and eat together at the school.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 20
  • motivated, adaptable and flexible
  • previous experience working with children
  • previous teaching experience is highly recommended
  • interest in foreign languages
  • in the effort to create an international enviroment for the students  a volunteer from Spain or East Europe is preferred

Volunteering at the project

  • the volunteer is expected to play a vital role in the “efterskole” community and quickly develop a personal, yet professional relationship to the students
  • the school is built on openness, friendliness, tolerance and shared responsibility
  • the volunteer will be involved in the areas of the curriculum that are relevant to their key skills both linguistically, artistically, and socially
  • the volunteer will be offered the same learning possibilities of any trainee teaching with regards to pedagogy and didactics
  • any volunteer will be provided with constant support and advice

Selection

  • interviews will be conducted in English in person or via Skype

SOLBJERG PLEJEHJEM

  • Theme: Elderly
  • Activity dates: 1st September 2020 – For 12 months
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

Solbjerg Plejehjem is a nursing home for elderly people of Aarhus Kommune – the municipality of Aarhus. Next to the nursing home there is a community center with a health center and a café and rooms for meetings and activities for citizens from the local area.
Solbjerg is situated 15 km south of Aarhus – Denmark’s second largest city. You can take the bus to Solbjerg (from downtown Aarhus) in about 35 minutes.
The volunteers will be a part of the daily routines in the nursing home and community center. They will participate and be involved in many different tasks and activities involving seniors and elderly citizens from supporting and running different activities and meetings to contributing to different initiatives targeting elderly. The activities are based on the wishes and needs of the elderly but also on the interest and abilities of the volunteer. The volunteer will also participate in many cultural events as for instance Christmas and Easter and arrangements for their co-workers. Also the volunteer will be asked to arrange one or two cultural events related to their country and cultural and own interests. Also helping out in the kitchen is very much appreciated.

Volunteer profile

  • highly motivated to work with elderly people
  • highly motivated to work within the field of health and care
  • social, outgoing, creative, empathetic
  • willing and ready to take initiative
  • highly motivated to learn Danish in order to be able over timer to talk to staff and residents
  • if you play an instrument or sing it is very much appreciated

Volunteering at the project

  • easy office tasks
  • working in the café
  • social activities, for instance card or board games, cooking, baking, or enjoying a meal together
  • physical activities, for instance gardening, walking, dancing and sports/fitness (active ageing)
  • musical activities for and with the elderly people, such as music and singing
  • creative activities for instance knitting/embroidery, painting, drawing, and ceramics
  • supporting or even planning and organizing different activities and projects for the elderly, e.x. “Wine Club”, “Men’s Night”, “Biking Without Age” or “Value Stock”
  • participating in excursions with the elderly outside the nursing home/local community center

The volunteers will either live in a shared apartment or with a host family.

TRANBJERG PLEJEHJEM – AARHUS KOMMUNE

  • Theme: Elderly/Disabled
  • Activity dates: 1st September 2020 – For 12 months
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

Tranbjerg Plejehjem is a nursing home and community center for elderly people of Aarhus Kommune – the municipality of Aarhus. It is situated in Tranbjerg, 12km south of Aarhus – Denmark’s second largest city. Part of the nursing home is a café, a community center with rooms for meetings and activities, and a health center.
The volunteers will be a part of the daily routines in the nursing home and community center, and sometimes also the café. They will participate and be involved in many different tasks and activities involving seniors and elderly citizens from supporting and running different activities and meetings to contributing to different initiatives targeting elderly. The activities are based on the wishes and needs of the elderly.

Volunteer profile

  • interested or has knowledge in VR video
  • highly motivated to work with elderly people
  • highly motivated to work within the field of health and care
  • social, outgoing, creative, empathetic
  • willing and ready to take initiative

Volunteering at the project

  • easy office tasks
  • working in the café
  • social activities, for instance card or board games, cooking, baking, or enjoying a meal together
  • physical activities, for instance gardening, walking, dancing and sports/fitness (active ageing)
  • musical activities for and with the elderly people, such as music and singing
  • creative activities for instance knitting/embroidery, painting, drawing, and ceramics
  • supporting or even planning and organizing different activities and projects for the elderly, e.x. “Wine Club”, “Men’s Night”, “Biking Without Age” or “Value Stock”
  • participating in excursions with the elderly outside the nursing home/local community center

The volunteers will either live in a shared apartment or with a host family.

VANDEL EFTERSKOLE

  • Theme: Youth/Education
  • Activity dates: 1st of August 2020. – 30th of June 2021.
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

An “Efterskole” is a unique schooling concept found only in Denmark. It is a kind of a private boarding school with government grants that provides Secondary School education for young people, predominately between the ages of 14-17. The school is privately run, and this means that there is an annual fee for parents to send their child/children to the school, but families may apply for government funding depending on their financial status.

Vandel Efterskole is known for its high educational standards and pedagogical practices, but also the proven ability to develop our students both socially and academically. The majority of students continue into higher education.

The foundations of the community at the school are built upon openness, friendliness, tolerance and shared responsibility. Participation in this mini-society aims to build relationships as well as further awareness and understanding of others.

Vandel puts emphasis on quality education. Everybody should be able to acquire new skills and develop academically within a challenging learning environment.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 20
  • out-going, sociable and has a sense of humor
  • motivation, adaptability and flexibility are key factors
  • natural interest in working with children
  • an interest in foreign languages
  • previous teaching experience is recommended
  • participation in sports or coaching experience would also be beneficial
  • Danish law requires anyone working with children under the age of 16 to have a clean criminal record and have no previous convictions where children are involved

Volunteering at the project

  • volunteers will be living at the school
  • good opportunity to participate in all of the school’s activities during the week and at weekends
  • volunteers are expected to quickly develop a personal, yet professional relationship to the students
  • individual timetables will offer volunteers the chance to use all of their skills, linguistically, artistically, and socially
  • the volunteer will get the opportunity to contribute as both a language assistant and as a guest teacher
  • volunteers will be offered the same learning possibilities of any trainee teacher with regards to pedagogy and didactics
  • volunteers will be provided with constant support and advice
  • no smoking is allowed on school grounds and alcohol is not permitted on the premises

Selection

  • interviews will take place in English in person or via Skype

VOLUNTEER FESTIVAL OFFICE

  • Theme: Children/youth sports
  • Activity dates: 1st of September 2020 – 30th of June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 2
Description of the project

In 2018 the city of Aarhus was announced European Volunteer Capital by the organization CEV – the European Volunteer Centre. In relation to the year as Volunteer Capital Aarhus hosted several European volunteers with great success.

One of the many outcomes of the year as European Volunteer Capital was the volunteering festival called ‘Folkets Møde’, where some of our volunteers contributed.

The volunteering festival was a celebration and recognition of the hard work that volunteers do every day all around us in our community. You can read an article written by one of our European volunteers regarding Folkets Møde here: https://frivillighovedstad.dk/english/news/what-remains-in-the-aftermath-of-folkets-moede/

As a part of the legacy from European Volunteer Capital 2018, the city of Aarhus has decided to host a new Folkets Møde in the end of 2019. This will be the main project assigned to the European volunteers – to be a part of the organizing team arranging Folkets Møde 2019 and to develop an international track for the program.

The volunteer festival office is a very small office with 4-5 people working on facilitation and marketing of the projects going on during the year. We are located at the City Hall of Aarhus as a part of the health department in the Municipality of Aarhus.
Besides the other members of the office, the volunteers will cooperate with a wide varity of organizations and volunteers from the city of Aarhus.

Tasks of the volunteer:

  • take part in the office arranging Folkets Møde 2019 and contribute to the planning and coordination of the festival.
  • Take part in developing international program of the volunteer festival
  • Help to build on the experiences of the volunteering festival – for example by developing new cooperations on volunteering with an international perspective.

Volunteering at the project
The volunteer will live in a shared apartment. Food allowance is covered by Dansk ICYE.

Learning outcomes:
By taking part in the planning, coordination and running of the volunteer festival the volunteers will learn a lot about volunteering in Denmark, about how it is to be a part of a team that arranges a large event and all the responsibilities and tasks that follows.
Also, the volunteers will learn a lot about Danish culture from talking to a lot of different people in order to motivate them to contribute to the festival.

ODSHERREDS EFTERSKOLE

  • Theme: Youth/Education
  • Activity dates: 1st of August 2020. – 30th of June 2021
  • Number of volunteers: 3
Description of the project

Odsherredes Efterskole is a Christian self-governing boarding school (efterskole) offering formal secondary education for 9th and 10th grade. It have are around 160 students between 15-17 year, which stay for one year at the school. The school is situated in the western part of Zealand in a small town named Faarevejle.

An “Efterskole” is a unique schooling concept found only in Denmark. It is a kind of a private boarding school with government grants that provides Secondary School education for young people, predominately between the ages of 14-17. The school is privately run, and this means that there is an annual fee for parents to send their child/children to the school, but families may apply for government funding depending on their financial status.

Volunteer profile

  • over the age of 20
  • out-going, sociable and has a sense of humor
  • good at English

Volunteering at the project

  • living at the school, there is the opportunity to participate in all of the school’s activities during the week and at weekends
  • you get your own room in a house that you will share with 2-4 other young people, who also work at the school
  • the school will provide a timetable for the volunteer, which will offer him/her the chance to use all of their skills, linguistically, artistically, in sports and socially
  • the volunteer will be involved in the areas of the curriculum that are relevant to his/her key skills
  • the volunteer would be offered the same learning possibilities of any trainee teaching with regards to pedagogy and didactics
  • the volunteer would be provided with constant support and advice
  • we expect the volunteer to engage in all aspects of the school’s life

ICYE DENMARK

  • Theme: Youth/Intercultural Learning
  • Activity dates: 15st of August 2020. – For 12 months
  • Number of volunteers: 1
Description of the project

Dansk ICYE is working on international exchange programmes. Working with us, the volunteer will have an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about international exchange programmes.
The volunteer will have an opportunity to participate in international meetings and take part in trainings that is arranged by Dansk ICYE.

The main focus will be on the incoming program of both the ESC and ICYE long term exchange programmes. The working language for the staff, coworkers and exchangees will be in English.

The volunteer will be engaged in a broad array of work areas such as external and internal communications, designing and planning activities for exchangees, preparing, coordinating and participating in various types of meetings with coworkers as well as ongoing administrative tasks in the office.
The general activitys will be to keep in touch with exchangees – in cooperation with Dansk ICYE’s co-workers – while they are doing their project in Denmark.

The volunteer will update exchangees on the social activities going on in the organization, and help explore ways to get involved locally and meet other young people in the area where their projects are located.
Finally, the volunteer will also be part of the daily routine at the office, helping out with various administrative tasks related to the ESC and ICYE incoming programs.

Working hours: 35 hours per week.

The volunteer will live with a hostfamily.

Volunteer profile

  • keen interest in an international organisation
  • fluent at written and spoken English is highly appreciated
  • The volunteer will be involved in marketing

PRÆSTØ PRIVATSKOLE

  • Theme: Children and Education
  • Activity dates: 1 September 2020 – For 10 months
  • Number of volunteers: 2-3
Description of the project

Præstø Privatskole is a private independent school receiving government subsidy, founded 3 years ago and located in Præstø 1 hour drive south from Copenhagen. We are located 100m from a fjord a few kilometers from the Baltic See. Only 12 minutes by bus to the train station. Præstø is surrounded by a very beautiful landscape.

The School has one class on every grade level, from pre-school class (5-6 years old) to the 9th grade (15-16 years-old).
There are 200 pupils and 14 teachers, 5 pedagogues, TAP staff and one headmaster. most of the pupils live locally.

The school is run as a private independent school for primary and lower secondary education under the Danish Act on Private Independent Schools (Friskoleloven). Præstø Privatskole is still a new school, searching for and developing our international profile, combined with a strong academic profile.

All our pupils are taught English (from 1st grade) and German and French (from 5th grade). We put great emphasis on language acquisition and learning foreign languages at as an early age as possible. We encourage our pupils to study and travel in other European countries.
Our staff are open-minded and well-prepared to work side by side with volunteers.

Two different forms of main activities are possible

  • A: The Volunteer engages in teaching as an assistent teacher in different subjects, languages, science and creative skills. The volunteer will assist small groups af pupils, encouraging them to speak english in order to improve their oral english skills. If the volunteer wishes he/she will be able to conduct some teaching on his/her own.
    As for sciences the volunteer will participate in teaching natural sciences/biology depending on background and interests. This
    involves assisting the teacher with small groups of pupils and being responsible for teaching the whole class if desired.
  • B: The volunteer will be placed on our after-school programme, where he/she will organize leisure activities for the pupils. We especially concentrate on activities that emphasis and develop the children’s social skills, fantasy og creativity. The volunteer can join in activities planned by others but will get a chance to plan activities on his/her own. A possible activity could be cooking with and for the children. Once a week we take on small trips with the pupils to the forest and playgrounds in the nature.

Volunteering at the project

  • activities will vary according to the volunteers background and experience
  • depending on their qualifications the volunteers can engage in our music/cultural activities, such as theater, concerts and a music festival
  • the volunteer will live with a host family in the area
  • no smoking or alcohol allowed on premises
  • a bicycle will be provided, though public transport operates efficiently

 

Short term ESC in the land of tulips and windmills

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Organisation: Olde Vechte Foundation
  • Project name: Wider Horizons
  • Location: Ommen, Netherlands
  • Deadline for application: 29th of December
  • Project dates: 7th of January – 8th of March 2020 (2 months)

WIDER HORIZONS: 

Would you like to live for two months a joyful and unique volunteering experience, thanks to which you can create new opportunities in your personal and professional life once back home? Wider Horizon is a short-term volunteering project of Olde Vechte Foundation, that takes place in Ommen, The Netherlands. By participating you have the opportunity to experience new aspects of life and of yourself: you will live together with other people from different countries, hosted by Olde Vechte Foundation; you will volunteer in a practical work place; you will take care of your bungalow and organize your own free time. In this information letter, you will find all the information you need in order to know what the project is about, and how to apply for it. Reading it carefully, you will get an idea of how it will be once you are here in The Netherlands.

ACTIVITIES IN THE PROJECT:

The working week is from Monday until Friday, in total 36 hours. The voluntary activities are practical tasks at various workplaces in and around Ommen. The program is diverse and one day it can be you volunteer in a horse stable and the other day in a camping. We have a 9- person minibus through which you will be brought to and picked up from your workplace. One of the activities is also to help out the community of Ommen, like to fix a pavement of a resident or to help the elderly in their garden. You will also have a bicycle for places which are closer to your bungalow and to use it to travel around for shopping and your free time.

  • Free time: You can spend your free time in many different ways: visiting cities, hanging out with new international friends, biking, joining karaoke evenings, singing songs around a camp fire, organizing movie nights, dancing, playing sports, going to the swimming pool, etc.
  • Guidance: During your stay as a volunteer, there will be a mentor who will help you with practical aspects, such as, to get
    around in Ommen and to show you where are groceries shops, pharmacy, medical institutions, etc. This person will also be there to guide you and support you for any issue you might have.
  • Food and accommodation:  During the two months you will be hosted in bungalows of 4-6 people at a holiday park in Ommen. The place is located approx. 10 minutes by bike from Olde Vechte and 15 minutes by bike from the centre of Ommen. In all bungalows there is a kitchen, shower and toilet. You will share a room with someone. You can see an example for a house here. Your house may differ from the one in photos, but it will be very similar. There will be washing machine available as well as wi-fi connection at the resort. As for the food: you have a kitchen in your house. Along with your pocket money, you get money for food, and you can arrange your own meals as you wish.
  • Pocket money and Traveling costs: as a volunteer you will receive 310 Eur pocket money in total. Food allowance AND pocket money will be issued in cash every week. The traveling costs (planes, trains, buses etc.) will be reimbursed up to the amount of 275 Eur.

Apply by sending us your CV and Motivation letter (with the subject of your email as “ESC Ommen”) by 29th of December on advit_team@yahoo.com

For any questions feel free to contact us

“The most important thing is people” – a training course in Russia: an experience

«Самое главное – это люди!»

Меня зовут Лия я из Молдовы,  с 14 по 22 сентября я приняла участие в международном мероприятии «CREATOR: inclusiveinternationalaccElerATOR» («КРЕАТОР: Международный инклюзивный акселератор»), организованном благотворительным фондом «#ДЕЙСТВУЙ!» в Москве.

На акселераторе встретились представители #НКО, люди, работающие с молодежью, социальные работники из 5 стран: Россия, Эстония, Литва, Армения и Молдова.

В рамках проекта был разработан уникальный курс, направленный на развитие инклюзии в разных странах и формирование международного сообщества инклюзивных практик. При помощи обучающих тренингов, мастер-классов, деловых игр, квестов, участники прорабатывали самые актуальные социальные вопросы и обменивались опытом.

Я принимала участие в подобном международном курсе впервые, и для меня это стало бесценным опытом. Я получила много полезных знаний в особенность про процесс создания социальных проектов ,которые помогут сделать наш мир хоть чуть-чуть более инклюзивным, ведь самое главное – это люди!

Этот проект зарядил меня энергией и по возвращению домой мне сразу захотелось действовать. Я решила провести неформальный урок насчет инклюзии. Решила я это делать, там где знала точно что буду услышана, в своем центре для волонтерства ‘’Advit’’. Там волонтерам из Франции и Германии ну и конечно же ребятам из Молдовы я рассказала про инклюзии. Во время этого активити мы не только поделились межкультуральным опытом, но и открыли глаза некоторым людям о существовании таких проблем в обществе и конечно же пофантазировали насчет идеального мира и как можно этого достичь. Ну и само собой весело провели время в компании хороших людей

An opportunity to become a part of a youth organization in Italy

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Organisation: InCo
  • Location: Trento, Italy
  • Deadline for application: 27/11/19
  • Start of project: Beginning of January
  • End of project: 20/12/20

 

SOME WORDS ABOUT TRENTO:

Trento is the capital city of the autonomous province of Trentino Alto-Adige, situated in the Adigeriver valley in North Italy. The city has a population of around 120.000 inhabitants excluding the periphery layouts and is a major educational, scientific and political centre with sheltering the University of Trento which is ranked among the best universities in Italy and in Europe. Having the advantage of being a university city, Trento enjoys a number of student oriented cultural activities also at an international level. Trento is well-connected to the neighbouring cities through railway, among others, Verona in about one hour, Bolzano in 40minutes and Vicenza in 1,5hours. Within easy commute, also, is located the Caldonazzo Lake and the famous Garda Lake which can be reached in about 1,5hours from Trento. The city has a picturesque Medieval and Renaissance historic centre, with typical ancient buildings and touristic attraction points such as the Trento Cathedral and the Castello del Buonconsiglio.

 

SOME WORDS ABOUT THE RECEIVING ORGANIZATION:

Some words about the Receiving Organization InCo is a non-profit organization which has the mission of promoting the international exchange between young people, to increase and improve the level of contact among different cultures, stimulating intercultural sensibility and preventing and combating racism, prejudices and social exclusion.

The organization was created in 2004 by a group of enthusiastic former volunteers who decided to assist other peers in furthering their intercultural abilities and non-formal education. The organization kept on growing, and at the moment it counts on a staff of five people, all with wide international experiences.

The activities of the association are currently addressing mainly young people, but there are also opportunities even for people over 30 to join new exchanges programme. Since 2011 an independent volunteering exchange scheme was set up to allow the participation in international volunteering for people aged over 30.

The main activities of the organisation are the following:

> European Solidaity Corps (ESC) since 2004 as an accredited sending and coordinating organization

since 2006. Since then, InCo coordinated hosting projects for over 250 youngsters, and sent about 200 Italians abroad. Since 2013 InCo is also a hosting organization.From 2015, InCo is part of the Rete Italiana Volontariato Europeo (RIVE: Italian Network European Volunteering)

> Aupair: an opportunity offered to young people aged between 18 and 26 to travel to a foreign country, live with a host family, and gain experiences of life and culture within a different country. The au pair is included as an integral part in the life of the host family, by taking care of the children and assisting the family in light housework.

> Youth exchanges: InCo started organizing youth exchanges in 2015; since then we organize at least 3-4 youth exchanges in Trento every year (where our volunteers help us) and has taken part in different youth exchanges all over Europe

> Promotion of international volunteering activities: with personal informative meetings (info-day in Trento and other parts of the province), different means of communication, such as website, local and national newsletters, social networks and flyers distributed in libraries, community centres’ etc. InCo has also created the platform SCOPRIAMO IL MONDO in collaboration with several organizations of Trentino dealing with international mobility as well as with international cooperation where young people can find information about most of the opportunities to make an experience abroad offered by associations seated in Trentino.

 

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

  1. Office activities (communication and administration):

> Preparation of documents and materials (letters, newsletters, brochures, flyers, guidelines, spreadsheets, emails) especially in the framework of ESC and Youth Exchanges.

> Prepare presentations, infopacks, questionaries, charts etc

> Translation of news, writing articles for web and development of Social network (Facebook/Instagram). Provide it with appropriate photo, video, graphics and animation; Update website www.scopriamoilmondo.it. Develop the Blog of current volunteers (www.gogosocial.blogspot.com)

> Help the staff in coordinating the parallel activities of ESC

> Answer the office phone, check the post box, distribute the flyers in Trento/Rovereto

> Participate in infoday meetings in schools, conferences, events etc

> Participate in meetings of informaiton and orientation desk

  1. Preparation and development of meetings with international volunteers:

> Blog monthly meetings

> On-arrival and midterm trainings

> Monitoring meetings

> Final evaluation meeting

  1. Active participation in Youth exchanges

> Prepare infopacks, posters, videos, application forms, articles etc for web

> Search for the participans

> Communicate with local and internaitonal partners/participants

> Organize and participate in APV and in YE

> Support the staff in preparing practical and logistic matters for the project

> Support the staff during and after the project

  1. Promotion and information activities about international mobility (EVS, MTV, Au Pair, Youth exchanges etc): Info- days, International Mobility Fair, information sessions at schools

 

FOOD AND ACCOMONDATION:

You will get free accommodation for the whole duration of your voluntary service. You will share a private apartment with other volunteers at about 5 minutes by bus from the city center of Trento. It is composed of two bedrooms (you will share the room with an other volunteers), a fully equipped kitchen, a living room and 2 bathrooms.

You will receive food allowance for each month, paid by InCo. So you will be able able to cook/prepare breakfasts, lunch and dinners in the apartment.

You will receive 150,00 € per month as pocket money.

 

USEFUL LINKS:

Useful links Here you can find the website of InCo: http://www.incoweb.org/eng

Facebook:

  1. https://www.facebook.com/associazioneinco/?ref=br_rs
  2. https://www.facebook.com/associazioneincotrento/?ref=br_rs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/associazioneinco/?hl=en

Go Social Blog: http://gogosocial.blogspot.com

 

To participate send us your CV and Motivation letter (make sure you mention a project name) to advit_team@yahoo.com

For any questions or clarification feel free to contact us

Two long term projects in a Finnish NGO

 

There are two long term ESC projects in Finland with Maailmanvaihto – an organization with 60 years of experience.

1) Kårkulla samkommun / Dagtek community / Life skills activities

Dagtek serviceenhet (community) is a part of Kårkulla samkommun (federation of municipalities), which offers services for intellectually disabled persons with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. The activities Dagtek offers are divided into several sections that all focus on different areas. The participants in the LO (Livsorienterad verksamhet in Swedish) life skills activities need a lot of guidance and support in their daily activities. The LO activities take place in small groups consisting of 2–4 people and are always planned according to the condition, interests and needs of the participants. About 20 people take part in the LO activities daily, some of them participating also in the activities of the arts & crafts workshop Dagtek facilitates. Dagtek’s daily activities consist of, for example, music, arts and crafts, painting, different games and going outside for walks. The goal is to encourage every participant to be active, get involved, make their own decisions and affect the content of their daily lives, taking into consideration every participant’s individual starting points.

  • Volunteering period: 28.1.2020–27.1.2021 (12 months)
  • Number of volunteers: 1
  • Location: Dagtek is located in Ekenäs (Tammisaari in Finnish). Ekenäs is a small town of about 15 000 inhabitants and it is situated by the sea in the Southern Finland. The majority language is Swedish (81%) and only about 17% of the population speak Finnish. Ekenäs is a part of the Raseborg commune (28 000 inhabitants). Dagtek is located in the centre of the town.
  • Volunteer’s role and tasks: Through ESC volunteer cooperation, Dagtek wishes to offer its community members a possibility to build networks and get a wider perspective on the world around us. At the same time, we hope to have one more person to be present for our clients and assist in the daily activities and in social and practical situations during the day. The volunteer’s role in the LO activities is to support and give guidance, but also help in the clients’ daily activities related to meal times, going to the toilet and walks outside, as well as walking the clients to and from their car transportation when they arrive and leave Dagtek. According to their skills and interests, the volunteer can also organize activities for small groups or individually. Dagtek values different creative activities such as music, arts and dancing. Dagtek’s clients also appreciate, for example, having a possibility to bake together with the volunteer every now and then. The volunteer can also contribute in the production of pedagogic and photographic materials and the documentation of Dagtek’s activities through photographing, for example.
  • Volunteer’s requirements: It is important that the volunteer is socially active, flexible and motivated to participate in the community life as being there for the participants, being social, talking with the people, and bringing up their ideas to the colleagues and mentors. Dagtek hopes that they can receive a volunteer interested in working with adults (18–60-year-olds) who have developmental disorders. Dagtek also wishes that the volunteer has good social skills and is open to meeting new people. The voluntary workplace appreciates flexibility and a positive outlook on life and other people. It is also important that the volunteer is able to tolerate fast-changing situations. Experiences or skills in alternative communication methods are an advantage, but not a requirement. If you feel like you have the ability to motivate and encourage people and awaken their interest in participating and being active, you are a good match for Dagtek’s team! The working language of Dagtek is Swedish, so it is important that the volunteer is motivated to learn Swedish.
  • Accessibility: The workplace unfortunately does not have resources to offer support for volunteers with physical, sensory or other disabilities. If you feel you would be able to carry out the volunteering tasks rather independently but are unsure if the position would be suitable for you, please contact us for consultation before sending the application.
  • Accommodation and practical arrangements: The volunteer is accommodated in a host family. Lunch will be provided at Dagtek together with their participants and the team. Other meals are provided by the host family.
  • Website of the organisation: www.karkulla.fi/enheter/vastra-nyland
  • Deadline for applying: The 1st of December 2019

2) Helsingin lyhytaikaiskoti ja työpaja Lyhty ry / Lyhty B Housing Unit

Lyhty B housing unit is a part of a non-profit non-governmental association called “Lyhty ry”, which provides housing, education, and work activity services for adults with learning disabilities. Lyhty B is a home for 8 adults with learning disabilities.

  • Volunteering period: 28.1.2020–27.1.2021 (12 months)
  • Number of volunteers: 1
  • Location: Lyhty B is situated in Helsinki in an area called Konala.
  • Volunteer’s role and tasks: The volunteer’s tasks include assisting the residents in free-time activities such as going outdoors, assisting them at the supermarket or pharmacy, going to movies, concerts, library etc. And also providing a clean and esthetic home for them: doing laundry, cleaning rooms and kitchen. Volunteers help all so preparing meals for residents. Participating in the community and activating people in it as well as other daily activities. Work includes morning and evening shifts, as well as weekend work shifts (five work days a week).
  • Volunteer’s requirements: Good social skills and motivation to work with people with special needs are important. The work can be dynamic at times and requires such mentality.
  • Accessibility: Unfortunately, the voluntary workplace cannot host a volunteer with physical, sensory or other disabilities.
  • Accommodation: Depending on the availability of host families, the volunteer stays either in a host family in the capital area or at one of the housing units of Lyhty. Flexibility and motivation to share the everyday life with host family and adapt to the family life are important. Lunch is provided by Lyhty and other meals by the host family. In case the volunteers lives in a housing unit of Lyhty, they get a food allowance for other meals than lunch.
  • Website of the organisation: www.lyhty.fi
  • Deadline for applying: The 1st of December 2019

How to apply? Three simple steps:

  1. Choose from the list above the project you wish to apply to.
  2. After selecting the project, send your motivation letter and CV in English to advit_team@yahoo.com .
  3. Check your email regularly for an application form that we will send to you in response.

For any questions feel free to contact us via email or social media platforms. 

Experience: Gender Equality Awareness Youth Exchange in Italy

GEA – Gender Equality Awareness

  ”GEA – Gender Equality Awareness” is a project that took place in Trento, Italy (21-28 September 2019). it is based on a continue process of learning, dissemination and perceptions of information, facts, and experiences about Gender Equality topic in our communities, countries. This main goal was achieved due to non-formal education, intercultural exchange, and, of course, because of every emotion that we lived together.
So, in this YE were involved three teams from: Italy, Norway, Moldova and also I want to mention our beautiful project manager, Francesca who did her best for making our trip a real Erasmus+ fairytale. Energizers, conference, workshops, team-building games (cooking), survey, flash mob, free time, pizza these are just some examples of great combination for real impact.
Namely, we really want to underline that this project has three-dimensional impact:

  • Firstly on participants, their family, friends,
  • On local community from Trento through our flash mob, and survey about Gender Equality topic in this region of Italy, and for sure,
  • Handbook is really a great idea that can help to develop and create fantastic Erasmus+ projects based on previous experiences of each of us.

Two months of Arcadie and Felicia in Poland

What we are about to tell here is the story of two young people who, two months ago, embarked on, what came to be, a life changing journey. This is a story about how 13 people from various corners of the world got together to create a small community built on love, acceptance and support. To each of us, CampoSfera wasn’t just a place that created the perfect environment for self-reflection and expression of the inner self. Rather, CampoSfera could be best described as a state of mind and soul, individual to everyone who has lived through it.

Inspired by the environmentally friendly philosophy of the organization, we decided to opt for less polluting means of transportation. In the end, it took us about 24 hours to get to the place where CampoSfera was hidden, the tiny village of Klimontòw, located in the south of Poland. Though our journey to Poland tired us, the following morning we were pleasantly surprised by how diverse our group was and we were also quite impressed by stories about the journeys of other people, some of whom took up to 10 days to get to CampoSfera!

There was an unusually warm and welcoming atmosphere in CampoSfera which made us feel like home from the moment we walked through its gates. The house where we were hosted used to be an old school, which has been turned into a living space, a quite creative one too. The house had a large, beautiful green space around it, including a permaculture garden, a place for bonfires and the perfect spot for admiring the beautiful sunsets of countryside Poland. Living in a small community, rural and remote, gave us the opportunity to focus more on establishing deeper connections with nature and the people living with us, as well as explore ourselves and our creativity.

As this project was linked to event organizing and the theme of sustainability, our tasks through the weeks included preparing ecology-related workshops, posters, decorations and games for the festivals around our area. It all started with a harvesting festival, Dożynki, where we got the chance to present Moldova’s winemaking traditions through our “WINELAND” model. The next couple of weeks were followed by more events such as Nida Festival, where our group kayaked to pick up the garbage from the waters of the Nida river and Klimontòw’s own ecological festival, for which we crafted various fair games out of recycled materials.

The festival that stayed with us the most though, was Dalej Się Nie Da, which can only be described as pure magic in the woods. It is a festival that cherishes love and tolerance, and which places great emphasis on the relationship between humans and nature. During those few marvelous days spent in the heart of nature, surrounded by beautiful people, we learned various crafts, we cooked delicious meals and we came together at the end of each day to create beautiful music that was coming straight from our hearts. Dalej Się Nie Da was the place where each of us felt accepted, the place that didn’t leave room for anything else but love.

We took an immense dose of positive energy and inspiration from the people we met in the festivals we organized as part of our volunteering. Yet, we didn’t forget to give back, and on the fourth week in CampoSfera, we got the opportunity to visit and help Ardashir, a local farmer. As Ardashir was not only an experienced farmer but also a biology teacher, this experience once again offered us more than we were able to give, as we learned about how the woodland ecosystems work and got to try farming practices such as mulching.

Towards the end of our volunteering experience we also participated in a few protests that took place around the area where CampoSfera was located. First, in Kielce, we joined the global movement of school students demanding action to prevent further climate change known as Fridays for Future. We were amazed by the level of involvement of the local community and the support that the movement received from the people of Kielce. Shortly after, we took part in another silent protest in Kraków. The protest addressed the issue of exploitation of carriage horses by touristic companies for commercial purposes.

This project offered us plenty of unique activities but also free days, which we used to explore Poland. Thus, we were lucky to catch the last days of sunny weather to visit the beautiful Tatra Mountains. The massive ridges tested both our strength and courage, just to leave us in the end with some of the most unforgettable memories of our lives. We also had the chance to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp, or rather 2 camps. The sights of the suffering and pain that we saw there offered more insight than any history book ever did about the inhumane treatment and genocide of mostly Jewish people that took place during World War II.

These 2 months in Poland were packed with the most memorable, unexpected and extraordinary experiences that an Erasmus+ project could ever offer. We greatly value the involvement and support of ADVIT throughout the project and the dedication of CampoSfera to making this an unforgettable experience for both of us.

Youth Exchange – Let’s Blog

From 6 to 12 of September , 2019, an Erasmus + youth exchange took place in Trento, Italy, with 24 young people from Portugal, Georgia, Italy  and Moldova. The topics addressed were: Blogging; Media Literacy; Active Citizenship; Digital Natives; Storytelling .

Trento is the capital city of the autonomous province of Trentino Alto-Adige, situated in North Italy. The city is a major educational, scientific and political centre with sheltering the University of Trento which is ranked among the best universities in Italy and in Europe. The city has a picturesque Medieval and Renaissance historic centre, with typical ancient buildings and touristic attraction points such as the Trento Cathedral and the Castello del Buonconsiglio. 

The hosting structure was located in Villazzano, suburb of Trento situated up the hill, disposing a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the mountains around. The structure did not have WIFI. The participants were divided into groups and were responsible for cooking and cleaning; The participants had to organize the national dinners.

Here are some stories and insights of the participants of the project.

  • It was a very nice experience with a lot of upsides and almost no downsides. The topic was very relevant and explained properly, as blogging is now a very useful for those who would like to share an interest, an opinion or even a tragedy that had occurred in their past. The participants were very friendly, becoming in the end one big family with one representative nation – the world.
  • Youth exchange is a challenge. A challenge to get out of your comfort zone(NO WIFI), to meet new people, to learn something new. This is the 5th project for me, and it will stay in my memory as one with the most breathtaking view on the mountains, and the most intense.The intensity started from our first day when our flight was postponed, and we found ourselves in the middle of the Trento at 3 AM, packed with luggage and without internet or possibility to find a taxi. Our group decided that there is no time to wait, and we took the mountain by assault and walked for almost 2 hours to our final destination, Villazano. We had a lot of responsibilities during this project, including cooking and cleaning in  mixed groups of people. Sometimes we stayed till 2 AM doing our duties. There was also no internet!! This triggered us to follow the trail to the bar every evening))) Although it might seem that all mentioned above would lessen from the value of this YE ,actually the bonds which were created during this project, and the insights we had were much stronger than usual due to these factors. No internet caused us to talk a lot with each other, we couldn’t organize our evening or how it will be spent, one would go out into the dining room/courtyard and would see the surprise that awaits you. Cooking, cleaning, working on the blog diary in random groups caused us to interfere with new kind of settings, new environment and new people . Yes, this trip was a challenge, and a challenge worth taking chances.
  • You may hear that any Youth Exchange is about stepping out of your comfort zone. In a way, yes. But Youth Exchange ‘Let’s blog’ was about creating a comfort zone, where everyone could share their ideas without fear, be creative and find like-minded persons or listen to the opposite points of view. What’s more important for me is that the atmosphere we created there let us be ourselves and help us grow personally and develop our skills. And all of this was possible thanks to the people who participated in this project. So, yeah, I faced some unexpected problems and challenges, but at the end, the people I met, the projects we did, the time we spend together is totally worth it. 

-It was a really nice time which i spend with new friends. I am proud to had part in this youth exchange. From this project i took a lot of knowledge and experience which will help me in my future life with blogging, and i`m also promise that will share this stuff with others