EVS activity in Portugal

HOSTING ORGANIZATION

Autonomia e Descoberta, CRL is a non-governmental organization with non-profit purpose based in Beja.

Our cooperative was created in 2012 and its purpose is to broaden and support the sustainable development of local communities as well as to empower its inhabitants through non-formal learning, training, active citizenship and international cooperation. We have among us international trainers, active youth workers and volunteers who just want to do something to build a better world. Our target group are the young people aged between 6-30, with all kinds of inclusion needs (economic, cultural, educational,...). The cooperative aim is the development of national and international activities, basing its action on the principles of non-formal learning and participating citizenship, thus promoting tolerance, inter-generational dialogue, rural and urban development.

It is A&D goal to interact with the different local authorities, either public or private, developing strategic partnerships in order to boost development, social, cultural and European awareness. Since our creation we have already managed to include as our partners local administrative authorities, which support some of our activities.

VENUE:

PORTUGAL, Beja

DAYS FOR HOSTING: 15th of October  – 15th of December 2018

VOLUNTEERS PROFILE:

For the activities of this project, we will ask the chosen partners to recruit young people with the desired profile and characteristics, taking into account the work proposed and the objectives of the project.

We would like to welcome open-minded volunteers, interested and ready to live in the culture of the rural Alentejo. We are looking for volunteers who can easily fit into a team and are willing to work with our local volunteer group.

There will be a series of participant selection of activities that participants will have to complete in advance for their participation, ie "homework", including research on the environment, prepare a cover letter explaining the motivation, etc. ... which will solidify the construction of the foundations of the participants' relationship in the accumulation of activities and their commitment to the host entity.

Our activities are never replacement work because they are created for our young people. The Autonomia e Descoberta CRL team is generous and will offer its knowledge and resources to meet the needs of the local community on their issues and activities and support the learning of young people with fewer opportunities.

This project was specially designed and created for the purpose of giving some young people from very restricted backgrounds the opportunity to do something completely different from everything they have experienced before in a completely different cultural context.

There are no special requirements. The willingness and commitment of the volunteer is the most important. Our projects are as inclusive as possible.

The recruitment is based on cooperation between the sending organization and the host organization. When the project is approved the recruitment process will immediately begin. The sending organizations will collect and send all the CVs and motivation letters of the potential volunteers, so we will jointly make a decision on the candidates. The second phase will be an interview via Skype. Finally we will choose the appropriate persons for the project and we will enter the preparation phase.

The way we choose our participants is based on our effort to find the best project for each person and therefore benefit from their EVS. A gain for the community through the individual volunteer forces is also a criteria. We try to ensure maximum benefit for our volunteers and their individual future.

With regards to the main criteria, it is intended and prioritized young people who:
- persons with fewer opportunities, mainly with geographical obstacles, rural areas, cultural obstacles, emigration and minorities, and economic obstacles such as unemployment;
- Have knowledge and that they understand the realities of youth work in the context they are inserted;
- Motivated and have an interest in the subject of the project;
- Generate a multiplier effect of learning;
- Willingness to follow up the activities developed during the action;
- Aware that they have the support of the partner entities in their current and future work.
Given the importance of gender balance, we ask partner organizations to choose participants by following this requirement, recommendation.

TASKS FOR VOLUNTEERS: 

The tasks of the volunteers are more important related to the support to A&D in the organization of regular urban and rural activities. Volunteers are invited to endorse as planned activities, but will also receive support and encouragement to create their projects.

A dissemination of activities through A&D social networks will also be one of the competencies of the volunteers. It is not for an existing skill, or support is provided for it to be gradually or autonomously done.

Another task is to promote EVS among young people in the city of Beja through meetings and events.

Volunteers will be offered the possibility of:

• Organize workshops on social and solidarity economy, share experiences from their countries

• Dynamic workshops: construction activities at youth meetings

• Cultural Day: an event of local volunteers, sharing experiences

• Conference on youth entrepreneurship

• Cultural activities

In general terms in September, work in the student community, in November in a cultural context as local communities and in December in the activities of Christmas animation of the city.

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FOOD AND LODGING:

A & D will work with local service providers to ensure that all prices are practical, including advance information, accommodation, food, stationary resources and material and where necessary, transportation. The support staff will also ensure the logistics and will have dedicated people 24/7 during the project.

The Volunteers are accommodated in a house provided by the Municipality of Beja, in single ocupancy. Meals are provided in the school canteen or in local restaurants, depending on the location of the activities, Volunteers will eat local foods based on the Mediterranean diet, volunteer should indicate any food restrictions and or allergies in order to provide an adequate diet.

upon arrival volunteers will be provided with all relevant contact information (police, firefighter, hospitals, health center);

A logistics team will show volunteers some key places arround the city, mainly places of interest, such as pharmacy, health center, supermarket, post office, etc. Also volunteers are encouraged to bring, if available, their smartphones and log in the key locations for ease of navigation inside the city
Introduction of legislation;
Presentation of the rules of operation of the organization.

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