A. Project environment
Poznan, the capital of Wielkopolska region, is the largest economic, cultural and academic centre in Western Poland. It is a vibrant and fascinating metropolis, a good place for business development, with a large variety of social and cultural events and entertainment (there is a lot of museums, cinemas, festivals etc.). As one of the oldest cities in Poland it is an attractive place where history meets modernity. Because of many universities and a large academic offer it is also a place with a big student community which gives incredible energy to the dynamics of the city. Moreover, the area around Poznan - famous for beautiful landscapes, forests and lakes - is a perfect place for trips and spending free time.
Our office is located in the centre of Poznan, 10 minutes walk from the Old Market Square. We conduct there the "Infocafe" Point - a place with free Internet access, where everyone may read newspapers and books, talk or drink coffee. It is not only an office but particularly a place where open movie projections, discussions and integrating meetings are organized, and new ideas are born.
Volunteers will undertake their activities mostly in Poznan. They may be accommodated in the school/academic dormitory or in a room with a Polish family. There will be also a possibility of activities (seminars, workshops, actions etc.) with our local groups from all over the country which will be connected with the necessity of travelling to other cities and regions.
Volunteers will be working mainly with young people in the age of 16 - 30 who are the office workers and activists of the Association as well as Polish volunteers in different age from our particular projects. They are people with various knowledge and experience who are mostly interested in social, civil, ecological and cultural issues. Volunteers will also have a permanent contact with the coordinator of the project and his/her mentor.

B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers
The EVS volunteer will work as a part of our Association team - he/she will be an equal partner to other members of the crew. The volunteer will be given responsibilities for his/her own project with our constant support. He/she will share all tasks with us and our Polish volunteers and will be involved in daily activities of our organization. Volunteers will have a possibility to take part in our permanent projects ('Time Bank', 'Voluntary Service in Poznan Families', 'Active Citizen' etc.). He/she will also participate in our every day office activities connected with working on computer (for example: translations, searching for information on the Internet, preparing various documents or materials, monitoring of English-language websites of the organizations with which we would like to cooperate and of the international campaigns).
Depending on the volunteer's abilities, skills and wishes we can offer five different projects in the frame of our activities. The volunteer will choose to be involved in ONE of these projects for his/her EVS activity.
1. Support and development of Time Bank - will involve tasks such as cooperation with Time Banks in other countries, developing contacts in Poland and abroad; support in coordination of thematic groups; organizing meetings, workshops and trips; support in building and coordinating data base etc.
2. Multimedia project - will involve tasks such as creating graphics, posters, brochures, leaflets etc.; designing websites; editing movies; working with a photo and video camera; using graphic computer programs etc.
3. Civil activation - will involve tasks such as organising local and national actions and events (manifestations, meetings, conferences, lectures); taking part in international conferences, support and development of local voluntary service, preparing workshops, writing articles, supporting local coordinators and ones from other cities etc.
4. Alternative social and cultural guide - will involve tasks such as tour of the town and country; taking pictures; making movies; writing articles and an on-line blog; making interviews with people; acquiring the knowledge about our country and society; sharing the traditions and culture of his/her country etc.
5. Artistic and cultural project - will involve tasks such as organizing (drum, theatrical, artistic, photographic etc.) workshops for children and youths, cultural meetings, movie projections, art exhibitions and happenings; buying materials; preparing schedules and scenarios, inventing games etc.

All the activities will be based on volunteer's interests and skills. We will also be very open to his/her new interesting ideas and initiatives.
During volunteer's stay in Poznan he/she will have a chance to:
- learn in practice how non-governmental organizations work
- plan, develop and evaluate project
- learn how to plan and organize his/her work effectively
- learn how to cooperate in a work team
- create image of the organization
- learn Polish or /and English
- acquire the knowledge on volunteer service, social and civil issues etc.
- get know Polish culture and traditions
The volunteer will be constantly supported by both his/her mentor and the coordinator. He/she will also have a contact with Polish volunteers cooperating with our organization and staff members who will support him/her in the process of adaptation and his/her work. We will also offer him/her possibilities of additional ongoing trainings. As a part of the project team he/she will be able to engage in activities which will be the most suitable for him/her.

C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process
We are open to passionate, open minded and hard working people who would like to broaden his/her knowledge and experience in the non-governmental area. However, no previous experience, knowledge and skills are required for carrying out the tasks of the project activities. We would like to cooperate with people with different skills and abilities - from graphics and website designing, through artistic or circus abilities, to repair works. Volunteers interested in the development of civil society or engaged in alternative movements as well as social and ecological issues are especially invited to cooperate with our organization.
We would like to cooperate with volunteers in the age above 18 and - because of the communication issue - with the basic knowledge of English. If the volunteer would like to conduct workshops with children, pedagogical approach and voluntary experience will be also valuable, however, not necessary.
To ensure an open and transparent recruitment process the volunteer's applications will be evaluated by two people occupying independent posts in our organization. All the applications will be accurately examined. It will be also supported by the coordinating organization which will partially participate in the process of recruitment. We will not favor any volunteers due to sex, ethnicity and religious believes, sexual orientation or any other.
To increase the overall accessibility of EVS to all young people we will insert all necessary information about the EVS program on our Association website, pass the information to the beneficiaries of our projects and send our offer to EVS sending organizations. We will also conduct promotion actions using posters, through Internet portals, newsletter lists and local media.
We would like to cooperate particularly with organizations which conduct projects in the same areas as our organization: development of civil society, human rights, ecology, social exclusion, civil activation and education.


D. Number of volunteers hosted
Organisation is able to host 2 volunteers at the same time.

E. Risk prevention, protection and safety
We are open to work with volunteers with fewer opportunities, especially those disadvantaged because of economic, cultural and geographical reasons.
We have long experience of cooperating with people who have problems in the above-mentioned areas (the homeless, seniors, disabled, children from poor families with educational difficulties, national and ethnic minorities) as well as with public institutions specialised in helping in these fields. As beneficiaries of our permanent projects face the same problems we have a good practice and staff trained to work with groups coming from different backgrounds. Therefore, we are aware of the possible problems and disadvantages volunteers may deal with.

Unfortunately, because of the lack of facilities, architectural obstacles and qualified personnel the project is not directed to people with serious physical and mental disabilities.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=58000625210