A. Project environment:

The project will take place in Gdañsk, city that is on the coast of Baltic Sea and together with Sopot and Gdynia is a metropolian area that has a population of nearly 800.000 inhabitants. It is not only giving impression of groving investment and tourist business but most of all it is a city of over 1000 years of history, 'Solidarity' movement and cultural potential. Gdañsk has its students community as there is a University, Medical Academy, University of Technology, School of Arts and many other private academies. 33 thousands students society of University of Gdansk could participate in around 150 students associations or organisations.
Tricity is a lively community where many cultural events take place. There are international theatre and music festivals, modern art exhibitions and diversed music concerts. Situated next to the Baltic Sea coastline is a dynamic, active area during summer and calm and relaxing in autumn and winter time.
GTPKA is working for and within students society. Our office is situated directly at the new University Campus. We strongly cooperate with Academic Cultural Centre 'Alternator' that is an University Organisation founded in 1981 and animating students cultural life. They organize concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances, cinema reviews and many other events.

B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers:

Proposed activities for EVS volunteers

1. International PR
- collecting contacts and building an international network of foreign students and visitors (like EVS volunteers) in Tricity
- informing them about current activities organised by Academic Cultural Centre (by writing a blog, sending newsletters)
- collaboration between international visitors and particular sections of Academic Cultural Centre (called Creative Groups such as Dance Theatre, Juggling Section, Mamadoo Fireshow)
- collecting contacts and building an international network of organisations having similar profile to GTPKA and ACK for international cooperation purposes

2. Animating students international life
- coordinating and organising a project for international visitors (example: Far away but Close meeting with foreign students and their cultures)
- presenting ACK and GTPKA possibilities to international students (example: workshop about developing photos or screen printing)
- organising International Project (example: International Bicycle Passage through Poland or other country; travelling Polish movie review in home country of a volunteer)

3. Photo and video service of the events

4.Silk screen printing workshop.
- getting to know a graphic technique of multiple overprints on different surfaces (like paper, plastic, fabric or wall)

5. Self-initiative
- Implementing own projects inspired by volunteers' cultural background, personal experiences and interests. That could be writing own blog, preparing a photo exhibition, movie review, theatre performance, workshop.

The activities are presented in a way to give a volunteer variety of choices according to personal skills and interests. Because of diversed profile of our organisation we would also like to diversify EVS tasks. As much as a volunteer is willing to take an advantage of proposed activity/ies he or she will follow the chosen option.

Apart from proposed activities a volunteer is going to assist in different projects that are being implemented in GTPKA and Academic Cultural Centre. His/her work will be based on up-to-date need depending on what event is being prepared. Duties could concern administrative work, helping in preparing technical equipment or helping the project team in preparing the programme of an event.

A volunteer will have a chance to get to know students community of Univeristy of Gdañsk, their interests, ideas and inspirations. Thanks to being involved in projects a volunteer could learn how a students' association works and how cultural projects are organised. It will be a theoretical lesson that a volunteer would bring into practice in implementing personal ideas.
Volunteer will promote EVS, Youth in Action Programe as an active member of EVS community through own initiative and actions among students.

C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process:

Project is prepared mainly for people that are open for active working environment and different tasks according to events and actions that are organized by GTPKA. He/she should like team work but also be willing to take own responsibility for organizing individual activities (always supported by other members of organisation).
Previous knowledge and/or experience in organizing cultural events would be an extra asset. All personal interests and ideas (movies, photography, dance, media,…) are very welcome.
A volunteer should be keen on learning Polish as many activities have to be discussed and arranged in local language. An intensive language training will be provided by hosting organisation. The basic level of English would be an advantage.
We are planning to host at least two volunteers (for the first time) as they could be already a team and give more support to each other. As they will be coming from different countries it will be even more profitable for multicultural aspect of our project.

D. Risk prevention, protection and safety:

Volunteers will get accommodation in dormitories or rented apartment. They will be informed about living conditions in advance. All practical arrangements (including visa arrangements, insurance card) will be organized by the Coordinator in cooperation with Sending Organisation. They will have a chance to get around the city with a bicycle or public transport. An office of GTPKA is at the University Campus and most of the activities are taking place at the University. Volunteers will have a possibility to use all free of charge facilities at the University (like computers or library).
Volunteers will be informed about all practical living rules directly after their arrival. All working arrangements will be discussed during a meeting in an organisation. Mutual expectations and general rules will be presented and discussed.
At least two members of our association (including the Coordinator) are ex-EVSvolunteers, so they do have a great sense of EVS experiences.
As volunteers will be accepted we are planning to be in a direct contact with them and their Sending Organisations. We would like to know expectations and profile of a volunteer in advance to organize our activities in a better and more professional way. We would like volunteers to think about their ideas for personal projects in advance using their cultural background and experience so they can make some preparations already in their home countries.
A mentorship will be provided. There will be at least once a week 'board meeting' for volunteers and people that will be directly included in their work. It will be a chance to discuss working schedule, ideas and solve possible problems.
Hosting organisation stays in regular contact with Sending Organisation (e-mails and telephone).

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=58000437610