ICYE in the World
Activities:
- EVS Multilateral Volunteering Projects
- EVS Volunteer's Videos on Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
- ICYE – Seminars and Training Activities
EVS Multilateral Volunteering Projects:
The following activities are organised by the ICYE International Office, Member Committees and Partner Organisations. Should you be interested in receiving more information about the ones listed below, please contact the organiser for further details.
EVS – Current European Voluntary Service Projects
EYV 2011 – Volunteering Matters
EVS project in EU (Austria, Iceland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey ), African (Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania), Asian (India, Philippines, Vietnam) and Latin American (Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador,, Mexico) countries.
16 long-term volunteer placements from April to October 2011
The project EYV 2011 – Volunteering Matters, on the occasion of the European Year of Volunteering 2011, aims to take stock, raise awareness and promote the benefits of volunteering programs and practices in the participating EU and partner countries for young people and for society as a whole. By contributing to the activities to mark the EYV 2011 and the IYV+10, this project is a unique opportunity for the participating organizations and volunteers to promote their contributions to social and human development at local, national and international levels and to make volunteering a worldwide-recognized and beneficial practice. The volunteers will be based at the national offices of national and international voluntary service organisations. Besides participating in their daily activities and learning about how voluntary service is conducted in that particular society and cultural context, they will be exposed to the work and experience of local organizations hosting international volunteers and carry out research and interviews with volunteers and hosts and prepare a survey about history, recognition and impact of volunteering in the respective host country. The survey and other project results will be disseminated to volunteers, project partners as well as to a wider public in form of a final publication which will serve to further promote voluntary activities and active citizenship at national level in the participating EU and Partner Countries as well as at European and international level.
Young Volunteers Contributing to Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
EVS project in EU ( Austria, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain ) , African (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda), Asian (India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines ) and Latin American (Colombia, Honduras, Mexico) countries.
20 long-term volunteer placements from August 2010 to May 2011
This reciprocal volunteer exchange project, which is dedicated to the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010, engages 12 young people from 10 EU countries in voluntary service projects dealing with poverty alleviation and inclusion in 4 African, 4 Asian and 3 Latin American countries as well as 9 volunteers from partner countries in similar projects in 8 European countries. The volunteers work and live in a variety of local host organisations such as shelters for street children, orphanages, micro-credit associations, soup kitchens, vocational training centres working with vulnerable groups, disabled care centres as well as migrant institutions, providing access to basic services as well as participating in advocacy activities of organisations and networks involved in combating poverty and social exclusion. By participating in this reciprocal EVS project, the volunteers will get a better understanding of cultural values and social practices in other countries which will have a long-term impact on their personal development. The host communities will benefit from the time, energy and practical ideas brought by the volunteers, as well as their personal skills and a different cultural perspective.
As part of their final report, the volunteers filmed part of their experience abroad. Below you can see nine examples of those short films. Enjoy!
EVS Volunteer's Videos on Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Katrin Arnadottir, Ronald Muyini,
Icelandic volunteer in South Africa Ugandan volunteer in Italy
Michael Franc, Sarah Jean Panol and Olajide Alaba,
Austrian volunteer in Colombia Filipino and Nigerian volunteer in Iceland
Signe Rasmussen, Eunice Ntim,
Danish volunteer in Indonesia Ghanian volunteer in Poland
Márton Szábo, Andrea Marin,
Hungarian volunteer in Honduras Colombian volunteer in Hungary
Alexandra Stasenková
Slovakian volunteer in Mexico
EVS – Past European Voluntary Service Projects
Cultural Diversity, Indigenous people and Social InclusionEVS project in EU (Austria, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Spain) and Latin American Countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay)
15 long-term volunteer placements from January to July 2010
The project aimed at actively promoting volunteer engagement in cultural, social and non formal learning activities targeting vulnerable groups in the participating countries. The volunteers supported host organizations working with children and young people with less opportunities / in need. The participation of international volunteers was an added value for the daily life of young people and staff in the local host organizations. The project fostered mutual understanding of young people from different cultural, social and religious background as well as intercultural awareness and dialogue.Project documentation
Youth Volunteering In Social Welfare
EVS project in EU (Germany, Italy, Spain) and EECA Countries (Moldova, Russian Federation)
8 long-term volunteer placements from March 2009 to February 2010
This project aimed at fostering intercultural dialogue and contributing to a better understanding between the EU and its neighboring regions, particularly with and among the countries of Eastern Europe involving 5 young people from EU countries social welfare institutions in Moldova and the Russian Federation, and 3 young people from these countries in social inclusion projects in Germany, Italy and Spain. The involvement of international volunteers in these projects increased awareness about the European Union and fostered the exchange of experiences around cultural diversity and social inclusion.Youth and Children's Rights
EVS project in EU and Africa
19 long-term volunteer placements from September 2008 to June 2009The objective of this project was to foster awareness and protection of Children and Youth Rights by involving young volunteers from different African and European countries in projects dealing with youth and children at risk as well as in projects dealing with young people of disadvantaged background / with less opportunities, such as SOS Children villages, child care centers, after school activities, and youth volunteering organizations. Joint preparatory training and final evaluation meetings enabled the group of volunteers to meet and share experiences, as well as to engage in thematic discussions and intercultural dialogue alongside the volunteering experience. This project furthermore fostered exchange of good practice, enhanced networking and capacity building.
Project documentation
Youth and the Environment
EVS project in EU and Asia
17 long-term volunteer placements from September 2008 to June 2009
The objective of this project was to make a worthwhile contribution to environmental efforts in the respective host communities and to foster environmental awareness of young people in different EU and Asian countries. Both the host organisations as well as the EVS volunteers, benefited from the intercultural exchange as well as possibility to exchange opinions and share experiences regarding environment policies and regulations, pollution prevention and control, biodiversity protection, climate change, sustainable production and consumption, capacity construction, model projects, environmental technology and environmental industries.
Project documentation
Youth United Against Violence
EVS project in EU and Latin America
13 long-term volunteer placements from September 2008 to June 2009
This EU - LA multilateral EVS Project, which stemmed from the training seminar "Youth United against Violence" held in Quito, Guatemala, February 2007, aimed at supporting youth organisations and institutions by involving young volunteers in running educational, cultural and social activities with youth at risk. The young volunteers engaged in a variety of local hosting projects, ranging from youth clubs and youth initiated networks to community development and social work projects. The involvement of international volunteers in these projects stimulated the debate on youth violence prevention and further enhanced the interest of local host communities around volunteerism and its benefits for social development.
Promoting Young Women's Active Citizenship
EVS project in EU, African, Asian and Latin American Countries
17 long-term volunteer placements from February 2009 to May 2009
The objective of this EVS project was to enhance capacity-building, transfer of know-how, and exchange of experience and good practice between European, African, Asian and Latin American organisations active in developing and running women empowerment programmes. Joint preparatory training and final evaluation meetings enabled the group of volunteers from EU and African, Asian and Latin American partner countries to meet and share experiences, as well as to engage in discussions about the situation of women and different approaches to women empowerment in the participating countries.
EU, Africa and Asia EVS Project: "YOUTH PLUS AWARENESS"
EVS project in EU (Austria, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and UK), Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda) and Asia (India, Nepal and Vietnam)
16 long-term volunteer placements from May 2008 to August 2008
This project aimed at promoting trans-national volunteer exchange programmes and practical training experiences in EU, African and Asian countries, and enabling specialized HIV/AIDS NGO's to work alongside with youth voluntary service organisations in the field of HIV and AIDS education, prevention and care. The project's activities entailed an exchange of youth workers from youth voluntary service and HIV/AIDS NGO's. This fostered the transfer of know-how regarding trans-national voluntary service programmes and HIV/AIDS prevention work as well as partnership-building between youth and voluntary service NGO`S and HIV/AIDS projects in European, African and Asian countries.
EU EECA European Voluntary Service Project on Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity
EVS project in EU (Austria, Italy) and EECA countries (Lithuania, Poland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine)
14 long-term volunteer placements from February 2008 to November 2008
The main project aims were to promote dialogue and foster partnership building between youth voluntary service NGO's and institutions/centres working in the field of social inclusion. The young volunteers engaged in a variety of local hosting projects, ranging from youth clubs, disabled care and refugee centres to community development and social work projects. The involvement of international volunteers in these projects increased awareness about the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 and stimulated discussions about cultural diversity and social inclusion.
EU and Asia EVS Project: "Youth and Intercultural Dialogue"
EVS project in EU (Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania) and Asia (China, India, Nepal, Vietnam)
13 long-term volunteer placements from September 2007 to June 2008
Project documentation
The main aim of this project dedicated to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue - 2008 was to foster intercultural dialogue between youth from European and Asian Countries. The young volunteers engaged in a variety of local hosting projects, ranging from youth clubs and youth initiated networks to community development and social work projects. The involvement of international volunteers in these projects stimulated intercultural dialogue, as well as promoted volunteerism among the youth in the respective host communities.
EU and Africa EVS Project on Social Inclusion
EVS project in EU (Austria, Finland, Italy, United Kingdom) and Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa)17 long-term volunteer placements from September 2007 to June 2008
Project documentation
The main project aim was to foster intercultural dialogue between youth from European and African Countries. The young volunteers engaged in a variety of local hosting projects, ranging from youth clubs and youth initiated networks to community development and social work projects. The involvement of international volunteers in these projects stimulated intercultural dialogue, as well as promoted volunteerism among the youth in the respective host communities.
EU and Latin America EVS project on participation of young people
EVS project in EU (Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Spain) and Latin America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador)16 long-term volunteer placements from August 2007 to May 2008
Project documentation
The main project aims were to enhance young people's participation, leadership skills and their engagement in civil society by involving them in local development activities run with and for young people, targeting particularly young people in rural areas or from vulnerable groups. The young volunteers engaged in a variety of local hosting projects, ranging from youth clubs and youth initiated networks to community development and social work projects.
Exploring the potential of young volunteers in HIV / AIDS Education and Prevention in EU and SEE Countries
EU - SEE Multilateral EVS project in EU (Spain, UK, Estonia, Lithuania) and SEE countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro)
11 long-term volunteer placements from March 2007 to December 2007
The general objective of this EU - SEE multilateral EVS project was to add an intercultural dimension to HIV/AIDS prevention, education and care work and to promote a more widespread responsibility of civil society in the fight against AIDS across all borders. The volunteers provided an added value to the local communities and gained valuable experiences in dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention in a new and diverse environment.
Youth Dialogue and Local Development
Multilateral EVS project in EU (Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania) and SEE (Albania, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia)
14 long-term volunteer placements from August 2006 to May 2007
The main project aims were to enhance young people's participation, leadership skills and their engagement in civil society in European Union and South Eastern European countries as well as to facilitate dialogue and exchange between young volunteers and youth from minority groups. Volunteers were placed both in youth NGO's and public institutions running awareness-raising and civic education programmes with young people from multicultural, multiethnic and multi-faith backgrounds to empower their participation in local campaigns and local development.
Working with Youth and Children In Need in EU and EECA countries
Multilateral EVS project in EU Austria, Italy, Lithuania, and EECA countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova)
10 long-term volunteer placements from March 2006 to November 2006
The objective of this EU - EECA multilateral EVS project was to enhance youth mobility in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Georgia, offering mobility and voluntary service opportunities in projects dealing with youth and children in need. The young volunteers engaged in local hosting projects dealing with youth and children, ranging from child care, migrant, refugee and IDP, to local youth centres, providing an added value to the local communities and gaining valuable experiences in working with children and youngsters.
Youth and Social Inclusion
EU - EECA Multilateral EVS project in EU (Austria, Finland, Italy), and EECA countries (Armenia and Georgia)
9 long-term volunteer placements from October 2005 to June 2006
The objective of this multilateral EVS project was to enhance youth mobility between EU countries and Armenia and Georgia, offering voluntary service opportunities in projects dealing with young people with less opportunities. The young volunteers engaged in a range of quite different local hosting projects and activities dealing with disadvantaged youth and children, including SOS children villages, orphanages, communities of disabled youth and in after school activities. Their presence and work brought an added value to the local communities. The volunteers learned a lot about the situation and life of young people in the respective host countries.
Youth in Action
EVS multilateral project in EU (Lithuania, Spain) and LA countries (Colombia, Honduras, Mexico)
8 long-term volunteer placements from June 2005 to March 2006
The main project aim was to enhance young people's participation, leadership skills and their engagement in civil society in European and Latin American countries by involving as host and sending organisations both youth associations and public institutions running youth participation and civic education programmes. The young volunteers engaged in local hosting projects dealing with youth civic education and active citizenship programmes, ranging from youth clubs and youth initiated networks to community development and social work projects, offering a rich sample of civil society where volunteerism definitely brought an added value to the respective local communities.
Youth Volunteering and Social Inclusion
EVS project in EU, CIS and SEE countries (Austria, Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, Armenia, Moldova, Russian Federation)
14 long-term volunteer placements from March 2005 to December 2006
The objective of these multilateral EVS projects was to enhance youth mobility in CIS and SEE countries, offering mobility and voluntary service opportunities in projects dealing with young people of disadvantaged background / with less opportunities. By enabling meetings between volunteers from EU, CIS and SEE countries the project created synergies and fostered cross-regional cooperation between the three regions.
EU CIS - Multilateral EVS Project
EVS project in EU and CIS countries ( Armenia, Russian Federation and Ukraine)
14 long-term volunteer placements from September 2004 to May 2005
The objective of this multilateral EVS project was to enhance the participation of CIS countries, namely Armenia, Russian Federation and Ukraine, in long term voluntary service projects and further articulate the experience acquired by the ICYE partners. The 14 young volunteers engaged in a range of quite different local hosting projects dealing with disadvantaged youth and children, ranging from orphanages, disabled care centres and schools to youth centres and initiatives, where volunteerism definitely brought an added value to the local communities.
Youth and European Solidarity
EVS Project in Eu-SEE countries (Bosnia and Heryegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Serbia and Montegro)
15 long-term volunteer placements from June 2004 to March 2005
This project was the third and final phase of a series of projects titled "YOUTH AND EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY" promoting voluntary service activities as a tool for young people to work for solidarity, respect of human rights and reconciliation in EU and Balkan countries and to contribute to the development of civil society. The project empowered NGOs in EU and SEE countries to network and engage in multiple partnerships working on the theme Refugees, Human Rights and Reconciliation.
ICYE Europewide Project on Refugees: "Youth and European Solidarity"
EVS project in EU countries (Austria, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania)
12 long-term volunteer placements from September 2003 to June 2004
The project followed an initiative of youth NGO's to promote European solidarity with marginalized and disadvantaged groups such as refugees and migrants. Involving refugee and migrant organizations as host organizations, the EVS project was a great opportunity for the volunteers to learn about and get involved in working with refugees, migrants and for the defense of human rights. The European and intercultural dimension and the spirit of young persons willing to share and participate brought an added value to the projects. At the same time the volunteers through practicing active citizenship proved that Europe can be an open house where refugees from all parts of the world are welcome.
SEE II - ICYE Eastlinks
EVS project in EU and SEE countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro)
10 long-term volunteer placements from June 2003 to December 2003
This project aimed to foster long-term voluntary service between the participating EU and SEE countries offered young people the possibility to acquire experiences and knowledge about voluntary service and civil society in general by living and working in EU and SEE countries, including for the first time also Macedonia and Montenegro. The volunteers as well as the coordinators learnt from each other and engaged in multiple initiatives promoting youth volunteering and civil society.
SEE I - ICYE-Eastlinks
EVS project in EU and SEE countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro)
12 long-term volunteer placements from February 2003 to August 2003
The project aimed at building one European identity at grassroots level in EU and SEE countries.5 young volunteers from South East Europe worked in EU non-governmental organisations, disabled care institutions, as well as projects working with refugees and homeless people. At the same time 7 Western Europeans got the chance to volunteer in Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian and Serbian non-governmental organisations in conflict resolution, new media, environmental issues and youth work, offering a rich sample of civil society where volunteerism definitely brought an added value to the development of local communities.
ICYE-Eastlinks pilot project
EVS project in EU and CEEC countries
10 long-term volunteer placements from November 2003 to June 2003
Project documentationThe involvement of motivated young people in HIV/AIDS prevention projects aimed at enhancing cooperation between themselves and the wider HIV/AIDS prevention sector. The volunteer's presence added an intercultural dimension to preventative and care work, as well as an input in term of human resources and networking links, which eventually became a source of inspiration for similar joint future projects. In more general terms, this project advocated the cause and visibility of HIV/AIDS projects towards civil society, with a view to promoting a more widespread responsibility in the fight against AIDS across all frontiers.
ICYE-Eastlinks VI
EVS project in EU and CEE countries ( Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia )
long-term volunteer placements from November 2003 to June 2003
The objective of this multilateral EVS project was to enhance the participation of Central European Countries, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia in long term voluntary services between the ICYE and Eastlinks partners. The young volunteers engaged in a range of quite different local hosting projects, ranging from children care institutions, youth organisations to cultural heritage and environmental protection enhancing direct bilateral cooperation between sending and hosting organisations.
ICYE-Eastlinks V
EVS project in EU and CIS countries ( Belarus, Russian Federation, Ukraine)
long-term volunteer placements from October 2001 to June 2002
Through this EVS multilateral project for the first time ICYE and EASTLINKS were able to offer voluntary service opportunities in EU member countries for young people from CIS countries. Volunteers worked in projects mainly dealing with orphans, and children and youth at risk in Belarus, Russian Federation and the Ukraine, as well as in similar projects (including alternative educational institutions) in Austria, Finland, Germany and the UK.
Besides the participating volunteers, the project directly benefitted children and other socially disadvantaged groups catered for by the various hosting projects as well as their staff and local volunteers. The project also enhanced cooperation between sending and hosting organizations, and during its implementation a growing number of returnees from Central and Eastern European countries got involved in supporting volunteers and host projects alike.
EASTLINKS IV
EVS project in Eastern Europe ( Estonia, Latvia, Poland and the Russian Federation)
long-term volunteer placements from January 2001 to September 2001
Similar to the project Eastlinks III again 20 young Western Europeans participated in this 8 months European Voluntary Service involving host projects in four Central and Eastern European countries. ICYE' s partners in this project were SWALLOWS and the Fund Social Initiative from the Russian Federation, the Estonian organisation EstYes, EJAM Latvia and SPPO Poland. The volunteers worked in a variety of fields, with children, elderly and socially disadvantaged persons as well as in environment protection organisations and youth clubs.
EVS Multilateral Euro - Latin America 2001
EVS project in Latin America
long-term volunteer placements from January 2001 to July 2001
Through this project, a number of voluntary service opportunities have been offered to young European volunteers such as working in an income generating project in underprivileged communities in Ecuador, assisting in a Contemporary Art association in Quito, supporting street children in Puebla, Mexico, working in a housing estate of low income families in Mexico City and work camp organisation in Mexico etc. SIIJUVE - ICYE Mexico and "The Experiment in International Living Ecuador" as our partners in this EVS project greatly contributed to make this a successful experience for both volunteers and local communities involved.
Euro - African Voluntary Service
EVS project in Africa (Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Uganda)
long-term volunteer placements from January 2001 to July 2001
This EVS multilateral project aimed at providing opportunities of long-term voluntary service to young Europeans in five African countries. The project consisted of a variety of voluntary service organizations working with abandoned children, disabled children and youth, displaced people, and others carrying out programs of local development and was realized in cooperation with ICYE Nigeria, the Mpumalanga Youth Commission, AJUDE of Mozambique, Uganda Volunteers for Peace (UVP) and the Togo-based ATNU (Association Togolaise pour les Nations Unies).
EASTLINKS III
EVS project in Eastern Europe (Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine)
long-term volunteer placements from September 2000 to May 2001
Acknowledging the great need for East-West exchanges between Youth on a grassroots level and encouraged by two earlier EVS activities involving Eastern Central and Eastern Europe the ICYE Federation together with our partners DEINEITA and AUSTEIJA from Lithuania, LYVS from Belarus and the Ukrainian organisation ALTERNATIVE-V gave 20 young Western Europeans the opportunity to commit themselves to a long-term European Voluntary Service project in Eastern Europe.
ICYE – Seminars and Training Activities:
In this page you can find summaries of the activities and events organised by ICYE in the past as well as the respective activity reports.
Youth Action for Civil Society
Building Capacities and partnerships for youth volunteering programmes between European, African, Asia/Pacific, Caribbean and Latin American Countries
1. EU- African Training Seminar on EVS Capacity and Partnership Building (Dates: 29 March - 04 April 2009 / Venue: Accra, Ghana) / Final activity report
2. EU - ASIA (Different European and Asia/Pacific venues / Timing: between March and October 2009): A 2 month reciprocal job-shadowing between selected ICYE EU members and partner organisations in China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Taiwan and Vietnam)/Final activity report
3. EU- Latin America and the Caribbean Training cum Planning Seminar on "active role of women in Society (Dates: 12-18July 2009 / Venue: Quito, Ecuador)/ Final activity report
The Project "Youth Action for Civil Society" aimed at enhancing the exchange of experience and good practice in the field of youth volunteering as well as the development of sustainable partnership between youth organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. The project consisted of distinct objectives and strategies to enhance: the training and transfer of know-how around long-term EVS projects between ICYE members and partners in Europe and Africa; on-the-job training and exchange of good practice between Europe, Asia and the Pacific; and training cum planning for partnership development and volunteer exchanges between youth mobility and women organisations in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The main activities were: a Euro-African training seminar in Africa on EVS programme management followed by a 7-month action plan to pair organisations thru in-country job shadowing, on-the job training and joint EVS activities; 2-month reciprocal job shadowing to enhance partnership building and the capacity of AP youth organisations to plan, implement, report and document long-term EVS projects between Europe and the Asia/Pacific regions; and a Training and Partnership Building Seminar in Latin America on the active role of women in society and to promote EVS exchanges between participating organisations.
Promoting Interethnic Dialogue and Intercultural Learning
Training for EVS sending and host organizations in EU, African and Asian countries
1. Training for Trainers/Berlin. January 11-16, 2008/Final activity report
2. EU - AFRICA Training Seminar/Cape Town. March 10-15, 2008/Final activity report
3. EU - ASIA Training Seminar/Bangalore. April 20-25, 2008/Final activity report
4. Final Evaluation and Follow-up Meeting / Berlin. July 1- 5, 2008/Final activity report / Practical Guide for ICYE/EVS Trainings in EU & Partner Countries
Within the larger framework of the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, the objective of the training programme "Promoting Interethnic Dialogue and Intercultural Learning - Training for EVS sending and host organisations in EU, African and Asian countries", was to enhance the skills of staff members, co-workers, mentors and project supervisors of EVS sending and receiving organisations by sensitising them to the importance of promoting cultural diversity and fostering intercultural learning at every stage of the EVS project. This objective was achieved by introducing trainers and youth workers to diversity-thematic and to intercultural learning methods. A group of experienced trainers from the 3 continents developed training modules based on the specific country and cultural context. This training project enhanced the skills of the participants giving them fresh inputs, which will reinvigorate their work with youth towards achieving greater understanding and respect within a globalising world. At the end of the project, we believe that both participants and trainers have deepened their knowledge and experience in the field of intercultural learning and have gained a better understanding of the cultural, social and political dynamics to be considered in working with volunteers from different cultures and countries, particularly between the EU, African and Asian countries. Furthermore, the tools and methods introduced during the trainings will give participants the expertise to infuse intercultural learning concepts in their own work with youth, thus functioning as multipliers.
Youth United Against Violence
Training Course for Youth Workers from EU and LA countries/Antigua, Guatemala /09-15 February 2007
Final activity report
ICYE International Office, the Central American Alliance for prevention of youth violence - CCPVJ and APREDE - Asociacion para la prevention del delito, jointly ran this training course aiming at building up the capacity of youth organisations and of agencies/networks specialized on youth violence prevention and to enable them to cooperate with each others in providing volunteering and non-formal learning opportunities to young people, with particular focus on the European Voluntary Service programme. The programme included inputs by experts, transfer of know-how, discussion groups and workshops as well as a project visit to a youth centre involved in violence prevention campaigns in Guatemala City and an official reception at the Ministry of Culture in the National Palace followed by a field excursion to "La Linea" a neighborhood badly affected by youth gang violence. Participants from both continents expressed their concern regarding the increase of violence particularly in Central America and their motivation to cooperate with each others in providing challenging and meaningful non-formal learning opportunities to socially excluded young people by implementing EVS projects related to this field of work.
Training Course for youth workers in EU and SEE countries
Training course for youth workers in EU and SEE countries/Chisinau, Moldova/07-13 December 2006
Final activity report
The aims of this training were twofold: on one hand to enable partner organisations in EU and in EECA countries to improve the quality of youth mobility activities, especially in relation to the management of volunteers under the EVS programme scheme, and on the other to share knowledge and expertise on how to recruit, retain and recognize volunteers within their distinct national/local structures and contexts. The programme included inputs by experts, transfer of know-how, discussion groups and workshops as well as project visits to two EVS host organisations: a child care centre (Small Group Home) and to a refugee centre (Main Direction of Refugees), providing first hand information by the respective volunteers and hosts and multiple learning opportunities for the participants
Exploring the potential of volunteers in HIV and AIDS education and prevention
Training course for youth workers in EU and SEE countries/Birmingham, United Kingdom/23-29 September 2006
Final activity report
ICYE International Office, Freshwinds and ICYE UK jointly ran a training course for youth workers in the EU and SEE countries from 23rd September to 29th September 2006 at Freshwinds Birmingham headquarters. The course was entitled - Exploring the potential of volunteers in HIV and AIDS education and prevention. It brought together youth workers of ICYE member and partner organisations as well as representatives of HIV/AIDS prevention and care agencies to prepare them for their tasks in an upcoming EU-SEE multilateral EVS project on HIV and AIDS as well as to empower them to network and to develop partnerships around innovative projects. The Birmingham TC was particularly successful in developing new - and strenghthening the existing - partnerships between the present EU and SEE organisations which have agreed on a number of concrete follow-up activities.
Youth volunteering in sensitive contexts-Training course on Refugees, Migrants and IDPs in EEAC and EU countries
Training course for youth workers on Refugees, Migrants and IDPs in EEAC and EU countries/Baku, Azerbaijan/04-10 February 2006
Final actrivity report
The project aimed at building up the capacity of EU and EEAC youth and refugee/IDP/migrant organisations by enabling a transfer of know-how in view of their engagement in current and future bi- and multilateral EVS projects. The programme included inputs by experts, transfer of know-how, discussion groups and workshops as well as project visits to refugee and IDP Centres in Baku and surroundings providing first hand information and multiple learning opportunities. The participants shared experiences about the work with refugees/IDP's and migrants in each others countries with a particular focus on the context of IDP's and refugee issues in the Caucasus region. They also acquired soft skills for their future tasks in hosting and sending EVS volunteers in sensitive contexts.
Youth in Action / Juventud en AccionEU - LA Seminar on youth participation, active citizenship and local governance/Porto Alegre, Brazil/4-10 February 2006
Final activity report
The seminar brought together 25 youth leaders from 7 European and 6 Latin American countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Lithuania Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Bolivia, Brazil Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay. The main aim of this seminar was to foster youth mobility and volunteering as a means to enhance positive youth action with emphasis on youth work models which empower young people through their active participation in local development. The activities included an exchange of experience regarding best practice in fostering youth participation and active citizenship; training on aims and procedures of the YOUTH programme (Action 1 and 2) as well as an assessment of the impact of YOUTH projects run between the present EU and LA organisations over the past years. Participants reflected upon priorities and needs of youth work in their countries and developed innovative forms of cooperation between their organisations. By doing interviews and visiting public youth-serving agencies and local youth NGO's, participants were able to gain insight into youth work practice and the situation of young people in Porto Alegre.
South Balkan Youth DialogueEU SEE Study Visit to Macedonia and Albania/Skopje, Bitola, Ohrid, Struga, Pogradec, Tirana/ 19-25 September 2005
Final activity reportThe study visit, supported by the Youth Programme of the European Union, was an activity implemented by the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) in cooperation with the Macedonian and Albanian partner organisations: YCS, YMCA Macedonia, Youth Forum EYE Struga (Macedonia) and Albanian Society in Development (ASD). It aimed at enhancing the co-operation on youth work and youth policy between EU countries youth workers and Albanian and Macedonian representatives of youth NGOs, voluntary service organisations, public institutions and local authorities, with a particular focus on youth exchange and voluntary service opportunities provided by the EU YOUTH programme. By organising an itinerant study visit in the above mentioned countries and involving youth from different ethnic, religious and social backgrounds, the project provided participants with a safe space for dialogue as well as intercultural learning opportunities.
Training Course on fostering positive youth Action and partnership between EU and SEE countries
Training course for youth worker in EU and SEE countries/Berlin, Germany/8-13 June 2005
Final Activity Report
The main aim of this training course was to enhance young people's participation, leadership skills and their engagement in civil society by providing a common training and networking opportunity to representatives of voluntary organisations and NGO's and agencies active in civic education and youth participation programmes. Given the complexity of issues affecting young people and civil society in EU and SEE countries, this training course was needed to prepare the ground for future theme-related European Voluntary Service projects between the two regions. Both the training and the exchange of young volunteers aimed at supporting the work of respective host projects in promoting youth active citizenship as well as demonstrating the need and potential for cooperation in an European context.
EU-CIS Training Course on Youth Programme Partnership Building and Project ManagementTraining course for youth workers/Minsk, Belarus/3-9 March 2005
Final Activity Report:
Representatives of youth organisations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, England, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine, participated in a training course on partnership building and project management to further stimulate the development of theme related EU - EECA (Eastern Europe and Caucasus) volunteer and youth exchange projects under the YOUTH Programme of the European Commission. The course focused on capacity building, transfer of know-how on partnership-building and project management, and cooperation in social inclusion projects, dealing with empowerment of youth with less opportunities.
EU-SEE Training Course on Youth Programme Partnership Building and Project Management
Training course for youth workers/Vukovar, Croatia/9-15 December 2004
Final Activity Report:
This training event consisted of two training projects on the European Commission YOUTH Programme, and aimed at fostering partnership building and project management for the development of voluntary service and youth exchange projects between youth organisations in South Eastern Europe and the European Union. To ensure effectiveness as well as to stimulate development of cooperation among youth NGO's in these two European regions, the courses were designed to address separately the needs of youth NGOs, respectively in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro, and in Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Kosovo. At the end of the training, participants felt that they had acquired useful practical skills to foster the development of quality exchange projects between EU and SEE countries, which resulted also in a number of collaborative agreements between participating organisations.
EU-SEE Training Course on Youth Programme Partnership Building and Project ManagementTraining course for youth workers/Sutomore, Montenegro/10-16 November 2004
Final Activity Report:
This training event consisted of two training projects on the European Commission YOUTH Programme, and aimed at fostering partnership building and project management for the development of voluntary service and youth exchange projects between youth organisations in South Eastern Europe and the European Union. To ensure effectiveness as well as to stimulate development of cooperation among youth NGO's in these two European regions, the courses were designed to address separately the needs of youth NGOs, respectively in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro, and in Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Kosovo. At the end of the training, participants felt that they had acquired useful practical skills to foster the development of quality exchange projects between EU and SEE countries, which resulted also in a number of collaborative agreements between participating organisations.
YOUTH IN ACTION - EURO-LATIN AMERICAN Seminar on Youth Leadership and active CitizenshipEURO-LATIN AMERICAN Seminar on Youth Leadership and active Citizenship/Sambo Creek, Honduras/26 June to 2 July 2004
Final Activity Report
This seminar held in the Caribbean environment of SAMBO CREEK, Honduras from June 26th to July 2nd, 2004 brought together one youth worker/youth leader and one local authority / policy makers from distinct European and Latin American countries, to discuss policy and practice related to youth participation. Participants reflected upon and learnt about the situation of youth participation in each others' countries, increased their knowledge on different ways to enhance youth leadership and active citizenship, including youth mobility and non-formal learning experiences. The European Commission's White Paper on Youth and the resources provided by the Youth programme were presented and discussed as ways to encourage young people to make an active contribution to the development of society. Particular emphasis was placed on the ways and means to enhance youth participation by young people who do not have access to associative life and non-formal learning experiences.
Training Course on Youth Volunteering in HIV/AIDS prevention projects in EU and Central and Eastern European CountriesTraining course for youth workers/Heiligensee, Berlin, Germany/ 5-11 June 2004
Final Activity Report:
The group of 25 participants consisted of both former EVS volunteers and representatives of host organisations working in the area of sexual health promotion and the prevention of HIV/Aids with a focus on youth volunteering. The training course aimed at fostering bi- and multilateral cooperation in EU and Central and Eastern European Countries through capacity building, focusing on the practical aspects of developing and managing international voluntary exchange projects suited to the particularities of the HIV/AIDS prevention sector. This was done by a transfer of know-how on how to develop and manage International Voluntary Service projects combined with HIV/AIDS prevention peer education campaigns, considering more in-depth the variety of prevention strategies related to the respective risk groups. Networking and Fundraising for programme opportunities in East - West voluntary exchanges was another focal point along with the development of innovative forms of cooperation among HIV/AIDS and Youth NGOs in EU and CEE countries considering the differences of HIV/AIDS prevention work in both parts of Europe.
ICYE-EASTLINKS information project in South Eastern EuropeTraining course for youth workers/Ljublana, Slovenia/December 1, 2003 - February 28, 2004
This information project was an integral part of the two-year ICYE - EASTLINKS Large Scale Project strategy to support South Eastern European (SEE) youth organisations and enhance their assertiveness and pro-active involvement in youth mobility and voluntary service activities across Europe. It aimed at complementing existing SEE information dissemination, networking and partnership building efforts, such as those carried out by the SEE Resource Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia and the SEE Youth Network. The production and dissemination of information fostered SEE youth organisations' knowledge about YOUTH programme aims and procedures, as well as provided opportunities to share youth work expertise and know how between participating youth NGOs and official bodies. This was especially important for young people in SEE countries of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, who looked at closer co-operation with the European Union as a way to overcome the traumas of war as well as to promote the role of civil society in the democratisation process their countries are engaged in.
YOUTH AND EUROPEAN SOLIDARITYEU - SEE Training Course on Refugees, Human Rights and Reconciliation/Berlin, Germany/ 17-22 February 2004
Documentation on the project's implementation and assessment of results [32 KB]
The EU - SEE Training Course on Refugees, Human Rights and Reconciliation aimed at enhancing the skills of youth workers involved as host, sending or coordinating organisations in the implementation of EVS projects and afforded participants the opportunity to establish good working relationships and a greater understanding at a regional and an international level. The programme of the training course included a number of modules that focused on the human rights and the refugee situation in Europe and in the SEE countries. It consisted of presentations on the situation of human rights in the EU and SEE countries and of campaigns and projects supported and initiated by participating organisations. It also included presentations by Ms Fatima Smajlovic, UNV - BiH on the "Background of ethnic and religious conflicts in the Balkan countries, the war and the resulting challenges for peace and democratic development", and by Dr. Christian Staffa, Executive Director, Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste e.V. on "VOLUNTEERISM as a way of contributing to reconciliation". In addition, the participants had the opportunity to visit different organisations working in the field in Berlin such as the Süd-Ost Europa Kultur e.V., the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Madgalena Youth Centre for migrant youth. The enthusiasm and commitment of the participants made for fruitful discussions which bridged barriers of languages and cultural backgrounds. The positive interaction between participants also led to a give and take which was necessary for building a strong network between youth NGOs and specialised refugee and human rights organisations which in turn provides the basis for a successful cooperation.
Euro-Latin American Training Course for youth workers on financial planning and management of YOUTH projectsTraining course for youth workers/Berlin, Germany/March 2003
The International Office of the ICYE Federation ran a training course financed by the European Commission to address issues of financial accountability and transfer of related skills in planning, monitoring and meeting reporting requirements of Action 1, 2 and 5 of the YOUTH programme of the European Commission. The results of this course were: - increased knowledge by participants of YOUTH programme funding rules and procedures; - acquisition of planning and management financial skills; and - participants' ability to apply and transfer information about financial reporting requirements.
Eastlinks & ICYE: Volunteers and Local Communities beyond the East-West European DivideTraining course for youth workers/Eastern-Western Europe/Started in February 2001 and ended in March 2003
As result of a two year long and very fruitful co-operation, ICYE and Eastlinks deemed it necessary to consolidate and articulate their transnational partnership to promote and further develop youth mobility and international voluntary service activities between EU and pre-accession countries in Central and Eastern Europe in the form of a Large Scale YOUTH project. In order to meet the emerging needs of young people in relation to intercultural learning, volunteering and informal education opportunities in both, EU- and future member countries, ICYE and Eastlinks are intending to strengthen their operational and networking capacity at regional and sub-regional level. In particular, a plan of action was adopted to: organise two major networks' meetings and a series of sub-regional meeting in the Baltic countries, South Eastern Europe and the EU; enhance the exchange of good practice between relevant community projects and youth NGOs across Eastern and Western Europe; build on ICYE and Eastlinks' expertise so as to act as resource for community project, and promote and document examples of successful experiences to influence practice and policies around youth mobility and voluntary service activities.
Training courses for sending/host organizations' responsible persons and volunteers, to support the implementation of the ICYE-Eastlinks pilot project "EVS multilateral Project on HIV/ AIDS Prevention in EU and CEEC"
Training course for organizations/23 to 28 July 2002/Kijv, Ukraine
Training course for volunteers/Berlin, Germany/15-21 September 2002
Final Report on the Course in Kijv Report
Final Report on the Course in Berlin Report
According to WHO recent statistics the rate of HIV infections in CEE countries is one of the highest in the world. To illustrate this it suffices to mention that in the Ukraine, for example, every month there are about 2000 new infections, being the average age of the infected population between 15 to 25. Similar scenarios can be found also in other countries such as Estonia and the Russian Federation. This project, which follows on the UNESCO supported Regional Conference on AIDS Prevention and Voluntary Service Organisation organised in September 2001 in Tallinn, Estonia, was an integral part of the ICYE-EASTLINKS Large Scale Project, adding to its scope one urgent and important issue facing young people across the EU and CEE countries. The training events aimed at supporting the implementation of a long-term European Voluntary Service exchange of volunteers - supported by the European Commission - whereby for the first time HIV/AIDS prevention projects in EU countries and Estonia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine were working together. Both the training and the exchange of motivated young volunteers supported the work of respective host projects, as well as demonstrated to the wider society the importance of contributing to the fight against AIDS beyond mental and national borders.
Euro-Latin American Youth Exchange on Indigenous People, Human Rights and Youth
Training course for youth workers/Concepcion, Chile/7-16 December 2001
This exchange activity aimed at offering an opportunity to European and Latin American young people to meet, discuss and share experiences around issues such as social exclusion, violation of human rights and educational opportunities affecting indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities. In particular, participants learnt about resilience strategies employed by indigenous groups against acculturation, struggle for self-determination; they were exposed to various types of activities run by and for indigenous groups, and human rights organisations at large; promoted the participation of youth representing indigenous people in youth mobility and international voluntary service activities. As part of the exchange process, participants learnt to appreciate differences and commonalities of issues affecting indigenous groups/ethnic minorities in Europe and Latin America, as well as the importance of young people's commitment to promoting respect and more just relations between dominant and minority cultural, social and economic groups.
ICYE-EASTLINKS Training Seminar to improve quality delivery of EVS Programme activities between EU and CEEC countries
Training course for youth workers/Budapest, Hungary/20-27 October 2001
The aims of the training seminar were twofold: on one hand to enable ICYE and Eastlinks network members to improve the quality of youth mobility activities, especially in relation to the EVS programme, and on the other, to share knowledge and expertise to ensure the meeting of the minimum quality standards as spelled out in the YOUTH Programme guidelines.
These aims were accomplished through the training of staff/youth workers on the distinct phases of the establishment and implementation of EVS long-term voluntary service exchanges, and on intercultural learning and team building techniques. Equally, this seminar aimed at identifying and assessing the needs of ICYE and EASTLINKS members in relation to fundraising, lobbying, advocacy and training for trainers. By adopting a peer-to-peer training approach, this seminar secured a homogeneous level of knowledge and expertise between the more experienced and new networks' members (i.e. in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) resulting in enhanced quality and innovation of the EVS programme between EU and CEEC countries.
"Young People building a new South Africa"
Euro-African Exchange on Youth Participation in the 21st century/Nelspruit, South Africa/18-26 November 2000
In this one-week exchange project which was co-organised and hosted by the Mpumalanga Youth Commission youth workers of European and African youth exchange organisations met to discuss and exchange examples of good practice in relation to various forms of youth work which aim to promote young people's active participation in society. In particular, group discussions and visits to distinct South African youth groups focused on fostering a better understanding of the problems and challenges faced by local Youth in the post -Apartheid society.
EVS and Youth for Europe assessment & training seminar to strengthen Euro-Latin American networking and support systems
Training course for youth workers/Puerto Vallarta, Mexico/10-17 September 2000
In this activity participants from European and Latin American countries gathered to evaluate past ICYE Euro-Latin American EVS and Youth for Europe activities. In addition to that the new YOUTH program 2000-2006 was introduced to the participants and several training sessions were held on it. The seminar was also a forum to discuss and formulate recommendations to the EC as well as elaborate a mid and long-term plan for future Euro-Latin American activities within the framework of the EVS, Youth for Europe and Support Measures programmes.