A. Project environment:

The project will mostly take place in Lazarz area - one of the central districts of Poznan, where Horyzonty office is located. In cooperation with local Cultural Community Centre (Dom Kultury Krag) and other partners we try to propose interesting activities for kids and youngsters in the neighbourhood.

In our office there are usually two persons working (volunteer or employee). However the place becomes very vibrant at times, when several different working meetings take place.

There is internet access (also wireless) in the office. In case it is not available in volunteers' apartments, they will be always welcome to use it for private matters.

Poznan is the economic and cultural centres of central-west Poland.The city holds a rich history and an intense cultural life. There are numerous activities and cultural initiatives; museums, cinemas, festivals (e.g. International street theaters festival Malta) and concerts. Poznañ and its several univerisities attract many students, also international ones. Many parks, green areas and centrally located Warta river make the city a great place for living. Sport lovers are welcome to enjoy all sorts of activities at the Malta lake (located in the vicinity of the city centre): skiing, roller skating, ice skating, hiking, biking, and a variety of water sports.Poznañ is an important International Fair centre, every now and then the city is packed with international visitors and businessmen.

There are a few other EVS hosting organisations in the region, so volunteers can establish both personal contacts and cooperation.

B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers:

What we offer

What we offer is first of all the opportunity to learn how to organize youth exchanges, workcamps, trainings etc., then certain skills in cultural animation (e.g. juggling, various artistic methods of working with youth), methodology of running different workshops, the basics of international networking. Then we offer the opportunity to share their skills and knowledge with our target groups and Horyzonty members during the projects they will be developing. Our volunteers will also have the chance to take part in activites organized by Horyzonty, our partners in Poland and abroad, according to their interest.

Apart from the structured activities we will provide all kinds of support, opportunities to visit the country, to experience local cultural life in informal time spent with Horyzonty members and their families (mostly through mentors). Mentors, mainly our ex-EVS volunteers, will be very well prepared to provide the volunteers with proper support and help make their stay enjoyable and unforgettable.

Volunteers will be accommodated in single rooms in apartments with other volunteers, or with Horyzonty members. They will be given monthly allowance for meals along with pocket money.

The role of EVS volunteers in Horyzonty

Our volunteers will have supporting role in Horyzoty projects, and leading role in their own activties.

Examples of typical activities for the volunteers.

A typical activity of the volunteer will be organizing animation activities for kids and youth in our neighbourhood in cooperation with Cultural Community Centre and schools. This will be based on volunteers interests and skills (outdoor activities, linguistic activities, dance, multimedia, European club etc.) Everything depends on one's creativity, skills and interests. We are open to ideas and initiatives.

Another type of activity will be organizing international youth events (exchanges, workcamps, training courses etc) and local events like conferences, workshops, festivals. Also, volunteers will be asked to get involved in EVS promotional activities that our organisation will be organising.

Part of the work will be performed in our office. This will include: preparations for workshops, organising team meetings for various events, helping with documentation of several projects, updating the website etc.

The weekly schedules will differ depending on the time of the year, individual preferences, Horyzonty needs. Service will involve working throughout weekends. The weekly work will not exceed 35 hours, inclusive of Polish language lessons, working meetings etc.

It will be up to the volunteer to decide how much time one will dedicate to various activities. The plan and schedules will be established individually in the course of recruitment process and further on during the volunteer's stay.

C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process:

We are open to host any volunteer with a will to work with young people to develop actities in the field of cultural animation, intercultural education and/or experienced (or motivated) in working with children. Experience in cultural animation, project coordination might be an asset in certain projects. The linguistic condition is ability to communicate in one of the following languages: English, Italian, Spanish, German or Polish as these are languages that our EVS team and other Horyzonty members speak. A will to learn Polish will be an asset. The call for volunteers will be sent to all our partner organizations and posted on EVS related websites. The selection will be made according to our strategy for partnerships and interest of the volunteers in the organization, theme, and the country.

D. Special needs (if applicable):

We are open to work with volunteers with fewer opportunities, especially those disadvantaged because of social, economic or geographic reasons. However each case will be considered individually. Given the localisation of our office and the building the volunteers will need to access during the projects we cannot, unfortunately, host a volunteer with serious mobility limitations.

The background of most of members is sociology, pedagogis, and psychology, thus we are able to provide counselling and coaching on personal and group level. Professional psychological assitance can be also provided.

E. Risk prevention, protection and safety:

None of our activities are organized in high risk environment (in terms of health, personal safety, discrimination etc). Volunteers will be insured, given instructions for special attention in case of significant differences in their homeland living environment and the one in Poland that might put their life, health or dignity in danger (e.g. different driving culture, different norms of behaviour between representatives of opposing sexes etc)

In order to prevent risks we will try to get to know the volunteer and his cultural background, clarify the expectations and needs of the volunteer as well as confront it with the expectations of the organization as a whole and individuals working with them directly (coordinator, mentor, other persons involved in the project) beforehand and after the arrival of the volunteer. Another important issue is establishing trust relation with sending organization in terms of exchanging info about the volunteer and reacting in time of the beginning of the conflict or any risk situation.

As to crises we will discuss among the team the potential crises and work out the procedures to be followed in case they will occur.

Before we decide to start EVS hosting projects with minors, we first plan to complete at least one project with adults. Upon evaluation of the project and assessing the current capabilities of the organisaiton, its emoloyees and members we will design the project for minors. APV will be of great importance for planning, redefining the project and preparing volunteers for their experience with Horyzonty. If deemed needed we will include reinforced mentorship as well.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=58000367410