Rovaniemi is a small city of approx 60 000 inhabitants, situated in the Arctic Circle in Finland. It is quite lively and active for its size, thanks to its status as Lapland’s capital, good opportunities to study and growing tourism. Nature is always close here and we’re happy to enjoy four seasons. Rovaniemi City Youth Services is a department in the municipal public organization. The municipal youth services consist of a variety of activities which all share the common aim to offer the youngsters equal and high quality possibilities of participation and sense of belonging to the community. We want to offer an interesting and educational programme for the children and young people under the age of 29 years. The guiding values of our work are safety, equality, participation and creativity. All our activities comply with the Youth Act and the ethical code for youth work drawn by the national umbrella organisations for youth work and youth workers. Some methods we use: Open activities at the youth houses - Group activities - Cultural Youth Work - International Youth work - Digital Gaming house Montendo - Workshops - Events - Courses - Trainings - Youth work in primary and secondary schools - Summer holiday activities for children and youngsters - Subsidies to local youth associations. All our employees are trained professionals with at least a vocational upper secondary qualification and some have Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees. The organisation's staff consists of: the head of youth services, youth services’ coordinators, outreach youth workers and youth workers who work in the Cultural Center Monde, in the Youth Information Center Poppari, in regional municipal youth houses and in flexible basic training classes at local comprehensive schools. We also offer possibilities of work practice on a regular basis to students and volunteers as well as subvented jobs for the unemployed. One of our responsibilities as a public operator is to support the youth activities of the local 3rd sector organisations and NGO’s. We take part in professional networks of youth work on local, national and European levels.

Volunteers will work 30–38 hours per week, typically over five days, at the Youth Cultural Center Monde. Their main task is to support cultural diversity and bring people from different backgrounds together. Work includes organizing small-scale activities such as handicraft workshops, as well as cultural, musical or light physical activities that reflect their own skills and interests. Volunteers also help in the café during events by serving customers, baking and cleaning, and may work as stagehands or assist bands and artists in the rehearsal room and recording studio. There are also opportunities to contribute through graphic design. All the workers are responsible for the basic upkeep of the premises. These activities help foster a sense of community in Rovaniemi. Additionally, the project aims to raise awareness among local youth about the European Solidarity Corps and the opportunities it offers.

Housing is arranged by the project and shared with other volunteers. Volunteers are usually from different countries and may be of opposite genders. They share an apartment where each has their own bedroom, while the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared. The apartment includes free Wi-Fi. The project fund covers travel to Rovaniemi and back home after the project, as well as housing, a food allowance, and pocket money. The food and pocket money are paid monthly to a European bank account. The project also covers the residence permit and insurance.

The volunteers will have several days of orientation to practical matters, the working community and the town. Training in Finnish language is covered by the project funds and is included in working hours. The volunteers have the support of the project coordinator, a work instructor and a mentor. Together with their mentor, each volunteer will make him/herself a portfolio (YOUTHPASS or other) where is described their participation and learning during the project. They will also receive an ESC participant certificate after the project.

The Participant profile: We will select two sociable and relatively independent young adults who are genuinely interested in the themes of the project. A good command of English is required to adapt to the work environment and to communicate with the local community. The volunteers will preferably be chosen from different countries. As they will live in a shared apartment, it is important that they are tolerant, respectful and flexible in daily life with others. Personal interests or hobbies that could enrich the project activities are considered an advantage. We are looking for volunteers only for a long-term ESC project lasting 12 months; shorter periods are not an option under this project. If you have any specific needs that may require special attention, we encourage you to mention them in your application so that we can provide the necessary support. However, please note that you will never be asked to disclose detailed health information in application. Having special needs is not a barrier to participating in the project.
Deadline: 28/07/2025 12:00

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.