Dear Volunteer! EVS Info.dossier 2014 We are super excited to start a new EVS Adventure! 1. Introduction EVS First let s take a look on EVS definition: What is an EVS? The European Voluntary Service (EVS) provides young Europeans with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU. In this way, it seeks to develop solidarity, mutual understanding and tolerance among young people, thus contributing to reinforcing social cohesion in the European Union and to promoting young people's active citizenship. Open to all young people aged 18 to 30, EVS is a true learning service. Beyond benefiting the local communities, by participating in voluntary activities, young volunteers can develop new skills and, therefore, improve their personal, educational and professional development. Volunteers can benefit from specific training throughout the activity and agree on their expected learning outcomes, processes and methods in advance.. Participation is free for the volunteers (except for a possible contribution of a maximum of 10% of the travel costs) who also get board and lodging, insurance cover and an allowance for the duration of the project. What is not an EVS: occasional, unstructured, part-time volunteering an internship in an enterprise a paid job; it must not replace paid jobs a recreation or tourist activity a language course exploitation of a cheap workforce a period of study or vocational training abroad. We also want to share with you this motto of the European Union, first came into use in 2000: "United in diversity" The motto means that, via the EU, Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages in Europe are a positive asset for the continent. This is also our Motto for EVS projects... 1
2. Presentation and explanation of the organisation Coordinació Rural de Catalunya, CRUC, is non profit organisation that works for the development of the rural world in Catalonia putting emphasis on youth politics with European and International Programmes. CRUC consists of individual members and entities aiming to respond to the realities in the rural areas of Catalonia and at the same time creating a juridical framework for participation. CRUC works agreement with the Generalitat de Catalunya and participates in UE Youth in action Program, is a member of the national youth counsel of Catalonia (CNJC), member of the COCAT foundation (Coordinating the organizers of the international work camps) and member of ERA (European Rural Alliance). 2. COORDINACIÓ RURAL DE CATALUNYA Coordinació Rural de Catalunya Educative, social, youth service Organization, non profit, that works for the development of the rural world in Catalonia s region, through European and International programs. Members and territory area Ruralita,territory, leisure and natural environment rural school European Project Communication XARES RuRal and Youthnet card Leisure trainers net Courses and training Activities Euro RED CRUC achieve its goals by: 1. Members and territory area. This area is divided in one net, two services and 1 project: XARES, Support of entities; RuRal card for Kids to 3 to 12 years old and their families and Youtnet card for youths from 13-30 years is an international net. And the project is Catalan Rural Parliament. 2. Ruraltia, territory, leisure and outdoor activities rural school. This area offers different courses, seminars and other specific training, speeches about Youth in Action Program in High Schools;. And activities such as summer school, international exchanges, international work camps, Catalonia rural experience addressed to youngsters, kids and adults. 3. European Project Euroexperience Group, experts groups organises speeches and so on. 2
It intends that the volunteer obtain the following aptitudes or capacities: punctuality, decisions making, responsibility, innovation, creativity, teamwork, communication, respect to the diversity and difference, critical analysis, adaptation to the environment, flexibility, of responsiveness to the realities that wrap them. Another aim is the learning of Spanish and especially Catalan and the operation and management of youthful projects in a rural environment. On the other hand, it is expected that the volunteer contribute with ideas in the different activities and that he participates actively. 2. Projects and tasks - 3 months project: For the volunteer who is going to spend three months she/he s going to collaborate in Ruraltia, rural, territory, leisure and outdoor activities school and in RuRal project. When the volunteer is working in the preparation of the projects his/her space ok work will be the office in Solsona. The volunteer will receive training about the project, organization and the activities which will be involved. The training will be in Solsona. Express Spanish lessons 20hours. Lessons take place in Casal de cultura i Joventut, building, two different rooms, it depends on the day. The Spanish course is part of the EVS project and the hours enter in your total hours of the project, we hope you be involve and advantage it. During his/her stay goes to one educative seminar with other European volunteers, this formation is offered for the National Agency in anywhere in Spain from 23 rd -28 th June 2014. About the areas, each one develops some projects that the volunteer will know and participate in some ones as a support. Following you ll find, in summarize, the tasks that you ll collaborate: - Summer camp kids. Project for kids between 6 to 12 years old from around the Catalonia. This project gives the chance to kids to enjoy on the free time non formal activity with values through activities like excursions, workshops,, the kids have the opportunity to sleep in tents. - International work camps. Project for youngsters between 18 to 30 years old from around the world. This project gives the chance to youngsters to collaborate in a social project and, at the same time, to practice a language, to learn from a new culture and to intermix with youngsters from other nationalities. These projects take place in July, one in Peramola and another in Pinós. - National work camps. Project for youngsters between 15 to 17 years old from around the Catalonia. This project gives the chance to youngsters to collaborate in a social-educative project and, at the same time, to intermix with youngsters from other places. In August takes place where the volunteer take part like a support leader. - Other projects. RuRal card. Project addressed to kids and their families. Volunteer is going to be involved in that project reporting and preparing some exercises and games for kids in English language to be update on the website: www.carnetrural.cat. Then, volunteer is going to move to different villages to make an educative activity to kids. - 6 months project: The volunteer who is going to spend 6 months is going to collaborate in Ruraltia and in members and territory area through RuRal, Youthnet, XARES and Catalan Rural Parliament. When the volunteer is working in the preparation of the projects his/her space ok work will be the office in Solsona. The volunteer will receive training about the project, organization and the activities which will be involved. The training will be in Solsona. 3
Spanish lessons. Lessons take place in Casal de cultura i Joventut, building, two different rooms, it depends on the day. The Spanish course is part of the EVS project and the hours enter in your total hours of the project, we hope you be involve and advantage it. During his/her stay goes to two educative seminars with other European volunteers, this formation is offered for the National Agency in Spain. One seminar will be in June and the other in October. About the areas, each one develops some projects that the volunteer will know and participate in some ones as a support. Following you ll find, in summarize, the tasks that you ll collaborate: - Summer camp kids. Project for kids between 6 to 11 years old from around the Catalonia. This project gives the chance to kids to enjoy on the free time non formal activity with values through activities like excursions, workshops,, the kids have the opportunity to sleep in tents. - International work camps. Project for youngsters between 18 to 30 years old from around the world. This project gives the chance to youngsters to collaborate in a social project and, at the same time, to practice a language, to learn from a new culture and to intermix with youngsters from other nationalities. These projects take place in July, one in Peramola and another in Pinós. - National work camps. Project for youngsters between 15 to 17 years old from around the Catalonia. This project gives the chance to youngsters to collaborate in a social-educative project and, at the same time, to intermix with youngsters from other places. In August takes place where the volunteer take part like a support leader. This project takes place in Cambrils dels Pirineus. - RuRal and Youthnet card. Volunteer is going to be involved in those projects reporting and preparing some exercises and games for kids in English language to be updated in www.carnetrural.cat and update the webpage youthnet, with information interesting for youngsters. Then, volunteer is going to move to different villages to make an educative activity to kids and speeches in High Schools about EVS project. -XARES. Volunteer is going to collaborate in that net. The net promotes the activities in the leisure time for kids who are living in the rural areas. - Catalan Rural Parliament. Volunteer is going to be involved in that project which the aim is to dialogue and talk about different issues in rural areas to influence in rural policies. This project takes place in different villages in Catalonia and after get the conclusions is going to introduce in front of politicians. 4
3. Logistic aspects EVS Info.dossier 2014 3.1 Accommodation: Coordinació have its headquarters in Solsona, capital of Solsonès region. The Solsonès is a region formed by for 15 municipalities but the capital, Solsona, concentrates a total of 9.300 inhabitants and the 4.000 remaining inhabitants reside in the other 14 municipalities. Municipalities characterized by having a nucleus with a church and bar, in most cases, and dispersed houses in which the families reside. Those characteristics will be shown to the volunteer through the formation that the volunteer ll receive. The volunteer will reside in a flat-room in Solsona, volunteer will share with other volunteers and maybe with other young people. 3.1.1 General flat principles You can read at Youth in Action user s guide (page 59) EU Commission request for EVS Flats Accommodation and food - providing suitable accommodation and meals (or a food allowance, covering also the holiday period) to the volunteer(s). They use just 3 words to explain what we - Hosting or Coordination Organization - have to offer to Volunteers, and honestly it does not help us too much, this is why we would like to set general flat principles and general flat rules in order to make your new home "suitable". We are going to offer an accommodation family flat, composed by 4 rooms, 3 individuals, 1 shared, one kitchen, 1 living room, 1 lumber-room and 1 bathroom. Flat decoration and furniture are not the most fashion ever, what we want to say is that they are not NEW, not FASHION, but in our opinion they are GOOD Furniture... and we think super "suitable" for EVS projects. Rooms Distribution: 3 bedrooms that contain each - bed, Wardrobe, 1-2 chairs, 1 Sleeping Table, Lights, 2 towels, blankets and sheets for the bed. 1 bedroom that contain- 2 beds, 2 chairs, wardrobe, 1 sleeping Table, Lights, 4 towels, blankets and sheets for the bed. As you see we can t offer the same size, color, orientation, style rooms to all EVS... this is why we use "United on Diversity" for EVS... 5
The principles that we want to share are: EVS Info.dossier 2014 We would like to work with responsible, flexible, patient, tolerance, comprehensive, empathetic, mature, humble and funny Young people interested to learn, work and live 120% an EVS project. Intolerance, un-comprehensive, inflexible, impatient, non-empathetic, childish, demanding and sad young people will not have a Good EVS Project. We are totally open to receive complains, request, suggestions when something is not working in the flat, (reparations, support...) and we will work to solve it as soon as possible. We are offering just a suitable flat for EVS, we know that it is not the best, the biggest, the freshest, the warmest or the best distributed/ located in EVS WORLD, but we also know that it is not the worst, the smallest, the worst located/ distributed... in our opinion IT IS JUST A NORMAL FLAT (=suitable) We would like to avoid two things: "kindergarden" comments or complaints that my room is "smaller", colder"," warmer", "less beautiful" "THAN... (flat comparisons is a real nightmare for hosting organizations, that we will not be able to solve.) comparisons with other flats from other volunteers "other volunteers are closer city center/the beach, work, bigger, fresher, etc...) We just want to invite you to balance the good and not so good things in your flat.. (in our opinion nothing is perfect!) and related to the position of this balance we will try to work on it. We will set general rules for the flat, but you can also set your own rules, like room rotations, room s access, music time, guests, cleaning timetables, in order to follow general rules... but we can not take responsibilities on your internal rules, remember we are not in the kindergarden ;-) 6
3.1.2 General flat rules If the volunteer loses a key of the flat he/she needs to pay to make the new ones. Ensure that you switch off all lights and electrical items. Apartment will be checked once in a month to ensure that the house rules are being adhered to. All rooms and equipment must be kept clean and tidy and any breakages must be reported immediately to Hosting organization. Any damage caused to either the room or the common areas will be paid for by the volunteer. No smoking in the flat. No loud noise before 8am after 11:45 pm in the evening (failure to abide by this rule may result that neighbors call the police). Have respect for your flat mates, and keep the common areas clean and tidy. There is a maximum costs of water and electricity costs per month per volunteer, estimated on 25 1 euros each person, if costs are over this rate, overcosts will be covered by all volunteers of the flat, as we can not calculate each person consume, we kindly ask for cooperation in order to avoid conflicts on this topic. Forbidden to make holes on the walls and move the furnitures. Animals are not permitted in or allowed to stay in the rented property without written agreement from the landlord. The volunteer will inform the hosting organization in writing as soon as possible about all damages, loss or fault that require a repair to be carried out.. Each volunteer may have guests in the flat, but with the following conditions: o That it is notified and accepted by the rest of the flat mates and the Hosting organization o The guests can stay no longer than two nights and they need to follow the general flat rules o They may not coincide the guests of 2 or more volunteers in the same time. Internet is not provided by the hosting organization, but we do an agreement for you and show you wifi places. Land lords obligations: Technical maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the landlord. The landlord agrees to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible. The requested renovations or alterations must be clearly defined. The Volunteer may not make any alterations to the rented property without written permission from the landlord. The landlord agrees to ensure the peaceful enjoyment of the room. S/he is only able to gain access to the room in the event of force majeure or after volunteer notification. 1 This rate is fixed 150% over regular costs of the flat on 2013 7
- Both parties or third parties to whom access has been granted, must refrain from activities that may disturb the peace of residents or neighbors. - Both parties agree to submit all disputes arising from the interpretation, compliance with or the termination of this agreement to the Housing Service, before bringing the matter to court so that the Housing Service is able to make a proposal for reconciliation. The initiative for taking any legal steps rests with the parties themselves. Failure to abide by these rules may result in you being asked to the leave the flat. 3.2 Maintenance: The volunteer will have covered the costs of food. On the activities she/he is going to eat there and when she/he will be off she/he is going to receive the money 37,5 per week. It in the seminars the prices of accommodation, transportation and food are responsibility of the National Agency. Also, monthly is going to receive the pocket money, 105. 3.3 Mentoring: The volunteer counts with the support and advice of a mentor. Information of the mentor: Montse Ferrer. The mentoring will be carried a meeting face to face, to verify her/his adaptation, progress and to help her/his in the resolution of any problem. But in case of doubts or suggestions volunteer can contact with his/her mentor by mail: prural@cruc.info For daily problems volunteer can talk with Marta or the responsible of each team work. The mentor is not the solution to all your problems, but she can help you to find a solution. 3.4 Insurance: Volunteer is enrolled in AXA insurance but is easier to use EHIC. In case of some problems, volunteer is going to pay the medicine, etc and later AXA is going to reimburse him/her. 3.5 Internet: Volunteer has different options; if she/he has his/her laptop can use WIFI in bar Casal if not there is the possibility to get good connection in Telecentre and provides you of PC. Forbidden to use computers of the office. Between the undersigned parties: VOLUNTEER: Signed: Date: HOSTING ORGANIZATION: Signed: Date: THANK YOU for your cooperation and let s work together to have the best EVS experience 8
4. EL SOLSONÈS El Solsonès is a Pre-Pyrenean region in the centre of Catalonia, where you can still find nature in its pure form: forests, fields, and wild spots- typical of high mountains. El Solsonès has been called the land of the one thousand farmhouses because there are fifteen municipalities but only six have village shape, and most of the land is populated by disseminated farmhouses. Some of them are good examples of the Catalan rural architecture dated back to the 15th or 18th century. Observing them gives the chance to understand the traditional Catalan rural way of life. This share is also very interesting because of the pre-historical, Romanesque, and Gothic art that you can find in the most unexpected places. It offers the possibility to practice sports, such as: hiking, riding a bicycle, swimming in the rivers. You don t have to worry about accommodation here - there are a lot of choices like refugees, hotels and farmhouses for green tourism. But, the huge advantage of this land is that it keeps its special atmosphere, because it is still an undiscovered mass tourist destination. It s the perfect antidote for the hustle and bustle of the cities. 5. THE VOLUNTEERS EXPERIENCE Alan Tresnak, My EVS service was really helpful and I hope my second project will be at least halfgood and interesting like the first one. I was lucky that i got really good roommates and co-volunteers On this project i like the most international contact with the same age people, various work, not falling into stereotype work, good freetime activities organized by our boss -(busa, aquatrekking, fiestas, visiting Barcelona) I would recommend volunteer service to everyone. Just find the courage and you ll Czeck Republic have nice time and experience for the rest of your life. You learn new languages and also how to live independent. All the experience that I gained as an EVS volunteer was trully enriching and discovering rural enviroment and way of life and people of Catalunya makes me want to stay here. While working for CRUC organization I was able to participate in various tasks, for example: working with kids in rural schools, being a leader at international workcamp and preparing English exercise for kids, which now can be find on the website. Alicja Gorny, Poland From all of the above activities working with kids was most rewarding and interesting for me as I was studying education and pedagody at univerisy back in my home country. 9
I worked in organization called CRUC for all these 2 months. What I did there? This is good question, and I'm happy and proud to say that I had great work, because it was very different and I learned a lot of new and did things what I have never done. Zane Kalnina, Latvia In conclusion I can tell for sure, that this is was an amazing experience and I really recommend to everyone to find a courage to go on EVS, because this is something what I will remember all my life. For us, EVS has been an enrichment experience because we got more responsible and helped us to foster our creativity. We met new people and we improved our skills and personal competences. Barbora Palkovicova and Sara Papova, Slovakia 10
EVS Info.dossier 2014 11