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, 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

Promoting Interethnic Dialogue and Intercultural Learning

Training for EVS sending and host organizations in EU, African and Asian countries

  1. EU – AFRICA Training Seminar/Cape Town. March 10-15, 2008/Final activity report
  2. EU – ASIA Training Seminar/Bangalore. April 20-25, 2008/Final activity report
  3. 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.

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.