A. Project environment: profile of the organisation and local community
" Outline the project environment for the suggested voluntary activities, including the local community where the project will take place (e.g. geographical, social and economical environment).
" If the host placement is located in a live-in community, please include the rules and conditions that apply also for the volunteer.
Our organization was created with an ideal goal to promote the striving of young people from Bulgaria, the Balkans and Europe to get to know each other, exchange information, broaden their contacts in the plethora of interests and problems, skills and opportunities for expression and cooperation.
By participation in discussions and active intercultural exchange on the Balkans, young people will be able to:
- overcome centuries-old prejudices and negative attitudes in their everyday lives;
- experience the cultural traditions and customs as well as the plethora of contemporary forms of arts and expression]
- broaden their contacts for future partnerships.
Upon starting their voluntary service the volunteer will be accommodated in Sofia. The organization has its own office where most of the volunteer's working schedule will take place. The office is situated in the very center of the city at an easy to reach place, visited by many young people daily.
The second part of the volunteer's stay will be in the town of Sandasnki, where the annualy Balkan Youth Festival takes place. It is organized in partnership with the municipality of Sandanski, which provides an office for its realization. The venue is also in the center of town and very accessible.
The social environment, where the volunteer will live is dynamic, and friendly to young people, and especial visitor from abroad. The festival is popular in Sandanski and the local community supports and takes an active part in all its aspects - from the preparation to the realization.
B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers
" Describe what you can offer to volunteers in terms of service and learning opportunities.
" Please, explain what will be the role of EVS volunteers in the host organisation.
" Describe the activities in which the volunteers could be involved and the activities the volunteers could create in your organisation. Give examples of typical activities for the volunteers.
The opportunities for acquisition of knowledge, skills and experience are connected to activitieis, which will be included in the volunteers' work programme, namely:
- Establishing contacts with partner organizations (the volunteer will get in contact both with Bulgarian NGOs and with organizations from Europe);
- Participation in the development of the design of informational and promotional materials for the festival (which will involve becoming acquianted with specialized software, implementing the volunteer's ideas and utilization of his/her and our experiences);
- Participation in the team meetings for preparation of the festival programme (the volunteer will be enabled to acquire skills for team work and to participate actively in the decision making process), if the volunteer is active and is willing, he/she can entirely undertake the responsibilities related to the preparation of one of the activities under th festival programme (e.g. festival concerts, youth party, picnic or something else);
- Active communciation with the festival participants - Intrnet, telephone (the volunteer will further develop his/her communication skills);
- Documents preparation (participation forms) and their processing, participation in the elaboration of lists and other documents;
- Participation in the activities on site in Sandanski (opportunity for direct contact with the local youth community and the local administration, developing organizational skills)
- Active participation in the execution of the festival programme (this may include welcoming groups, daily programme management, meetings with the media, creating a photo archive , sending off groups, etc.)

- Participation in the feedback analysis and the analysis of the conducted festival, elaborating the results and disseminating these to all participants developing contact lists, festival information, internet publications, press-materials
- Report and analysis of the volunteer service and planning of follow up activities for utilization of the EVS results
The volunteer role for the welcoming organization is entirely supportive to its activity. His/her participation in the team preparing the festival programme will have the same positive influence. All participants in this team work on a voluntary basis. Its members comprise of youths from all over the country, who have experience from festival organization during previous years. This will assist the volunteer in "learning by doing" with the support of his peers.
The volunteer will have the opportunity to develop and implement his ideas and experience during every stage of preparation and execution of the festival programme
C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process
Please describe the profiles of volunteers you would like to receive in your organisation. Include information on how you ensure an open and transparent recruitment process as well as the overall accessibility of EVS to all young people. Consider further information about the type of sending organisation you want to cooperate with. This information can help the match-making between volunteer candidates, sending organisations and your organisation
The main criteria for selection of volunteers will be their motivation and willingness for participation in the preparation and implementation of the "Balkan Youth Festival", their tolerance towards the differences and their readiness for active participation in the positive change of the region and Europe and its young people. The selection will be based on the principles of non-discrimination and equality among the young people, regardless of their gender, education, religion or experience.
The Association has a rich experience in work with volunteers (not under the EVS, but in principle) from a number of different countries. Many of the participants in previous festivals have stated their willingness to join EVS and to return to Bulgaria as volunteers under the "Youth in action 2007 - 2013" programme. This demonstrates their quick adaptation to the environment and the work.
Young people who have not taken part in the festival will also be attracted. For them this will be a new experience and an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in a non-formal environment.
A great part of the EVS sending organizations are our long-term partners and are acquainted with our activities. This will additionally support the process of volunteer selection. We are positive that our partners will popularize in their countries the possibilities for volunteer work in Bulgariaand will actively partake to the entire process.
D. Special needs (if applicable)
If your placements are open to hosting volunteers with fewer opportunities, please provide information about the competence, experience and infrastructure and (human or other) resources available in your organisation to accommodate and support them.
The work on organizing and conducting the festival does not presuppose limitations to the participation of young people with special needs, related to educational, cultural, economic and geographic issues.
If there are such younths among the volunteers, the association team will make special efforts for supporting them to overcome their difficulties, acquire skills for coping with similar problems and experience, which after the end of the volunteer service will be applicable by the volunteer in his home country.
The association has a specialized team, which is experienced in work with young people. The team encompasses psychologists, trainers, mentors, who will take active part in the process of adaptation, problem solving and responsding to specific needs.
E. Risk prevention, safety and protection
Please describe how you will guarantee a safe living and working environment for the EVS volunteers, how you will prevent risks and crises and how - in the case of EVS volunteers aged 16 or 17 - you ensure appropriate supervision, child safety and protection.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=22000038301