1. Project environment

The programme will be implemented in Skopje, the capital of R. Macedonia, city with over 700.000 inhabitants, the industrial and economic centre of the country. Being surrounded by mountains, Skopje offers opportunities for outdoor activities all year round. For less than three hours one can arrive to the most distanced parts of the country, to swim in the Ohrid lake or to ski on mountains Mavrovo or Popova Shapka.

Skopje is unique because of the mixture of traditions, different cultures, religions and rich cultural heritage all united in a beautiful combination of the old and the new. In one place one can experience the Orient and Europe mixed in an exciting amalgamation, synthesis of the sounds of the City church bells and singing from the Mosque in the Old Bazaar.

FEJS Macedonia's office is situated in the city centre of Skopje. In only a 10 minute walking distance from the main square and 5 from the city park, it is an ideal working place. All volunteers that will be hosted by our organization will be accommodated in apartments being maximum 20 minute walk from the office.

Living in an apartment in or near the city centre, volunteers would be expected to respect their neighbours and house rules.

Compared with many European metropolises, Skopje is a very safe city. One can walk in almost all city neighbourhoods even at night without being afraid that one can be attacked or harmed. More than 90% of the students study in the capital, giving the city an image of a place designed for young people. Nightlife is excellent, but more important there are many possibilities such as movie and theatre festivals, exhibitions, gym facilities, etc.

2. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers

The EVS volunteers will have the opportunity to work with a very young but also very professional group of people, who already gained valuable experience in project management, working and participating in many international youth projects. Each of the volunteers will have his/her own computer, 24 hours internet access and all necessary office requisites, including fax, printer, etc.

The volunteer will have an opportunity to learn a lot about project management, writing projects, locating funds, implementation of the project (from preparation to report). Moreover he/she will learn how to update a web page having in mind that volunteer/s also will work on the update and promotion of FEJS Macedonia, www.mladiinfo.com as well as on the online magazine South East European Online Voice. So the volunteer interest in internet and multimedia will be crucial.

First two months volunteers will have different classes with the FEJS Macedonia staff. In this period they will learn some basic elements for online writing, how to design their own web page and how to maintain a web page, what are the main elements of project writing, etc.

Two days a week he/she will have Macedonian language classes. During these classes provided by Lea Linin professor of English and Macedonian language and member of FEJS Macedonia, the volunteer will learn not only the basic elements of the Macedonian language but also something about Macedonian history, culture, tradition, etc. During many international projects implemented by FEJS Macedonia in the future, he/she will have the chance to be involved in the organizations and the logistics which will presume communication with many young people from various countries, many new contacts and friendships.

FEJS Macedonia projects are always reflecting the multicultural spirit characteristic for Macedonia. Following our motto: Diversity is Beautiful we managed to build multicultural environment inside the organization. Our members are young people from different national, cultural and religious backgrounds. In such an environment we believe that the EVS volunteer will not find difficult to fit in. Moreover he/she will have chance to meet peers from Macedonia who practice different religions, have different traditions and at the end are still sharing similar interests and attitudes. This offers a complete picture of Macedonia and answers the question why this country is so special and beautiful. We are happy that we are in position to offer this privilege to our future EVS volunteer.

What will be the scope of volunteers' activities?

" He/she will work on updating and bringing new contents of FEJS Macedonia web page www.mladiinfo.com. Mladi Info is an informative web portal, an enthusisatic attempt to group in one place all studying possibilities, scholarships, grants, trainings and conferences, various calls, working and internship opportunities available for the young people in Europe.

" He/she will coordinate some of the European/regional projects implemented by the two networks FEJS Macedonia is part of, FEJS (www.fejs.org) and European Youth Press (www.youthpress.org).

" He/she will be involved in the implementation of the forthcoming FEJS Macedonia projects.

" He/she will be provided with the opportunity from the very beginning to initiate his/her own project/activity which will be supported by FEJS Macedonia who will help for securing the necessary funds.

The volunteer's engagement will vary from 30-35 hours per week. They will have two days off per week and three weeks holiday for the six month voluntary work.

He or she will be supervised by the project coordinator of FEJS Macedonia, Antoaneta Ivanova, with whom he/she will communicate every day. She will determine the volunteers' obligations and responsibilities, and will follow the volunteers' progress, his/her needs. Moreover, Antoaneta will be responsible for the accommodation and showing the nearby convenient stores and grocery markets. Finally, she will help the volunteer in organizing his/her free time, weekends, breaks, etc.

Volunteers will be accommodated in an apartment near the city centre and will receive monthly allowance for the meals.

3. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process

FEJS Macedonia is looking for young enthusiasts, opened for new experiences in life. Cheerful, open-minded, eager to learn a lot, but also ready for new friendships and party. The only requirement is to speak English and to show interest in internet and multimedia, having in mind that in this area their participation will be prevalent.

However, at the beginning of their voluntary activity they will receive short coordination training for all activities where their involvement would be expected.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=66000115415