Project environment: A volunteer in Emmaboda is going to have the opportunity to participate in two different projects. The main project in Emmaboda is going to be Möjligheternas Hus, (The House of Possibilities) which is a municipal organization within Emmaboda municipality. Under the roof of the House of possibilities, a volunteer is going to find many different interesting activities. First of all is the house of possibilities an environmental station were people can get education in how to recycle their waste products. The house of possibilities are environmentally certified in accordance with ISO 14001 and we have been existing since 1992 when it became possible to handle waste disposal of bulky refuse with the help of unemployed persons.

At the House of possibilities, the inhabitants of Emmaboda community can leave their bulky refuse, such as furniture, newspapers, plastic articles, toxic substances, used electronic equipments etc. Customers leave the articles to be discarded in the reception where they receive help in placing rubbish in the proper bin for sorting. Furniture is repaired, dishes are washed, and clothes are sorted and hung in the Second hand Store. In the store, items to be sold are then displayed in order to attract customers. The store is not only responsible for second hand sales. The store is also responsible for providing rental of trailers and devices for chopping wood.

Eventually the House of possibilities activity was expanded to include computer education and conferences. This generated great interest from other parts of Sweden and we have had the pleasure of receiving many study visits by those interested in our knowledge on environmental action, re-cycling and coaching of persons in need of re-entering the work force.

A volunteer in Emmaboda is also going to have the opportunity to spend some of the project time at the local youth centre where the volunteer is going to try to connect the environmental work that Möjligheternas hus are doing with the work that are taking place at the youth centre. The youth centre is located in the city centre and the youth are between 13-17 years.

Local community: Emmaboda is located in the heart of Småland and has about 10 000 inhabitants of which 5000 are living in the center of Emmaboda. All of Emmaboda is a living cultural environment, which you will see when you com here. Old traditions are kept alive and one is proud of the "smålandian" heritage. In Emmaboda there are deep forests, wide stone walls, windling country roads and calm lakes, inviting you to adventure, drama and wellbeing. If you are visiting Emmaboda, you will also have the opportunity to paddle canoe or go fishing in one of the many lakes around Emmaboda.

After you have been out in the nature around Emmaboda and you have become hungry you can visit one of many restaurants or coffee places that are located in Emmaboda or just relax and read a book at the local library. If you are looking for some more activity, we can also recommend a visit to Nöjeshuset, (Entertainment house) in Emmaboda that offers bowling, Go-kart racing, golf and boule, all under one roof. Why not book a "competition package".

Emmaboda can also offer, "Go On". One day a week, people from the smaller villages around Emmaboda can take a free buss in to the city centre of Emmaboda to take part in different cultural activities. From the start it was only the youth from the surrounding villages that could participate but today it is a family activity for everybody.

In Emmaboda, you are also going to be close to the Kingdom of Crystal. This is one of Swedens main attractions, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It is unique and has no equivalent in the world. A fascinating spectacle in the smellties where dexterous glassblowers mould glowing masses into leaf-thin wine glasses and colourful, scintillating art. The world?s most beautiful glass in exhibits and glassworks museums

Getting to and from Emmaboda is very easy, By train, bus, car or plane. You can take the train to Kalmar (30 min) or to Copenhagen (3,5 hour) or Stockholm (4 hour). From the airport in Kalmar you can reach Stockholm in only 50 min.

Learning opportunities
On account of all the different working areas that we are working within, a volunteer at our project is going to receive a lot of learning opportunities. A volunteer within our organization are going to have the opportunity to combine two different organizations, The house of possibilities and the local youth centre.

At The House of possibilities the volunteer are going to get knowledge on environmental action, re-cycling and coaching of persons in need of re-entering the work force. A volunteer in this project are going to learn how to re-use/repair and sell thing that people feel they do not need any more. At this part, it is important that the volunteer understand and think that it is important with value of sustainable future.
A volunteer at the House of Possibilities is also going to get the opportunity to meet many people from other countries that are getting help with internship either at Möjligheternas Hus or in the business community.

A volunteer is also going to get the opportunity to work together with the local youth centre. The idea is to try to connect the two different working areas. If we want to build a sustainable future, we think that it is important that we have the young population with us in the work. How to connect the two working areas are going to be something that the volunteers need to think about, maybe by theater, film, music, photo etc.

Role of the volunteer
We want to host two volunteers at our project. The volunteers are going to get a central role in our project and we think that by having a volunteer in the organization it is going to help us to develop the different things that we already are doing. The volunteers are going to be able to participate in all the work that we are doing, unless it is dangerous and you need special education, t.ex. handle toxic substance, this will be done by our employee.
The volunteer are also going to be able to do his or her own project together with the youth at the youth centre. The important part is that the project are connected to the work that are done at House of possibilities and to the sustainable future otherwise it is up to the volunteer to develop the project. The volunteer will of course get support from the people working at the House of possibilities and the youth centre.

Activities
The volunteer is going to be able to take part in all the work that is done at Möjligheternas hus and at the youth centre. Most of the time the volunteer are going to spend at Möjligheternas hus and here the volunteer are going to participate in the environmental and recycling work. The volunteer are going to learn how to recycle and what you can recycle and what things that you can sell. The volunteer are also going to take part in helping to educate people in how and why we need to recycle.
The volunteer is going to be able to do his or her own project on recycle and sustainable future together with the local youth centre. We think that it is important that we connect our work with the work that are done at the youth centre. How to develop the project are going to be up to the volunteer, but the volunteer will have support from the people working at the youth centre and at Möjligherernas hus.

Volunteer profile
We are looking for a very motivated volunteer that have an interest in environmental question or want to learn more about how to re-use and recycle used stuff. The volunteer also has to be interested in teach other people how they can re-using and recycle things.
Another important part of the work that is done at Möjligheternas hus is that we are working together with people that need help to re-enter the labor market. Here it is important that the volunteer think it is interesting to meet new people and to help new people, it will be a way for the volunteer to develop together with the other people.
As a volunteer, you also need to be flexible because one day does not look like the next day.

Risk prevention
Supervision: A contact person will be on hand to receive the volunteer and introduce him or her to our way of working. The volunteer are going to get internal education at Möjligheternas hus regarding how our system works and how and what we are recycling. The first time the volunteer will always work together with some supervisor who will show the different workstations that we have. The volunteer will not work with any dangerous or toxic waste at Möjligheternas hus. The volunteer will receive protection-shoe and work-clothes if it is necessary.
The person will also be given lessons in Swedish. If there is a need for other training, for example, in the use of the computer or in group-dynamics there are such possibilities as well. The volunteer will also receive a tour of Emmaboda municipality as the hosting organization.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=64000292714