Germany: ESC: Youth center Westside - Jena

About the local hosting organization

Eurowerkstatt Jena e.V. is a non-profit association that was established in 2006. The goal of our organization is the creation of offers for young people to develop social and vocational abilities, particularly intercultural abilities. We want to sensitise young people to their possibilities and chances they have within Europe. It is very important for us to promote intercultural aspects in the children and youth work of Jena, this is why we cooperate with other non-profit organizations, associations, kindergartens, schools and youth centers of the city. All our actions have the goal of promoting the idea of a united and peaceful Europe and to show the variety of the European culture especially through and for young people who will build up the next generation. Eurowerkstatt is working mainly as a supporting and hosting organization in the European ESC-programme. We are a partner of eurodesk and have trained staff in the field of international youth mobility. On one hand we support German youngster who want to go abroad and on the other hand we coordinate a big network of hosting projects in Jena. As the coordinating organization of this network, we are in charge of the application process, the prearrangements and the mentoring of the volunteers leaving or coming to Jena and the proper implementation of past, current and following ESC-projects. Besides, we also organize youth exchanges between German and Russian youngsters or intercultural learning opportunities. --- Eurowerkstatt Jena e.V. ist ein gemeinnütziger Verein, der 2006 gegründet wurde. Das Ziel unserer Arbeit ist die Schaffung von schulischen und außerschulischen Angeboten, um junge Menschen dabei zu unterstützen soziale, berufliche und interkulturelle Kompetenzen zu entwickeln. Wir möchten Jugendliche und junge Menschen für ihre Möglichkeiten und Chancen als Europäer*innen sensibilisieren. Die Internationalisierung der Jugendarbeit in Jena ist ein wichtiges Anliegen für uns, weshalb wir mit anderen gemeinnützigen Vereinen und Verbänden, Kindergärten, Schulen und Jugendzentren der Stadt kooperieren. Alle unserer Aktivitäten zielen darauf ab, die Grundwerte eines solidarischen und vereinten Europas zu vertreten und jungen Menschen die Vielfalt europäischer Kultur als Chance für eine friedliche Zukunft aufzuzeigen. Eurowerkstatt Jene e.V. ist hauptsächlich als entsendende und aufnehmende Organisation im EU-Programm Europäisches Solidaritätskorps tätig. Wir sind eurodesk-Partner und unsere Mitarbeiter*innen sind gut ausgebildet im Bereich der internationalen Jugendmobilität. Auf der einen Seite unterstützen wir junge Menschen aus Deutschland, die für einen Freiwilligendienst ins Ausland gehen möchten und auf der anderen Seite koordinieren wir ein großes Netzwerk an Aufnahmeprojekten für internationale Freiwillige in Jena. Hierbei sind wir insgesamt für den Bewerbungsprozess, die Vorbereitungen sowie die Begleitung und Betreuung der durch uns entsendeten oder bei uns aufgenommenen Freiwilligen, sowie für die Planung, Durchführung und Abrechnung von vergangenen, aktuellen und zukünftigen ESK-Projekten zuständig. Ergänzend hierzu führen wir auch regelmäßig ein Jugendaustauschprogramm zwischen Deutschland und Russland durch und bieten außerdem unterschiedliche interkulturelle Lernangebote für interessierte junge Menschen und Schulen in Jena an.

Presentation of the programme

The youth center Westside formerly know as Treffpunkt is a municipal institution, which is situated in Jena Lobeda-Ost. At our open space, kids and young people from the age of 12 to 21 can hang out and spend their leisure time. Our different offers vary from sports activities, cultural and educational projects to cooperation with other institutions within the district. Our visionis that all young people have the opportunity to develop anddiscover themselves in a safe environment, guided by values such as openness, gender equality, opportunities forparticipation, voluntariness and a focus on the world aroundthem. Our volunteers support us to run the place and help with daily procedures. There is a lot of time to participate in any activities with the kids: play games, just talk and hang out and listen to very loud music. The volunteers give our place the extra spirit to make it a happy place for all of us.

About the accomodation

You will stay in a shared flat with one or two other volunteers as your roommates. Everybody will have their own room but share the bathroom and kitchen together. The flats are furnished and there is everything you need for your daily life, such as dishes or a washing machine. We have five flats in two houses next to each other and near to the city center of Jena. There is also a large garden for barbecuing and relaxing. Basically, you don't have to pay for your voluntary service! We reimburse your travel costs, you don't have to pay rent and receive monthly pocket money.

About the leisure activities

We want to sensitize young people to the possibilities and chances they have as European citizens. The duration of a European Solidarity Corps programme is 12 months. You have to work 30-35 hours per week on 5 days, but have 2 days off per month. At the beginning we organise a "month of orientation" to show you Jena and daily life in Germany. We will also organise three intercultural training days and other workshops for the group of volunteers in Jena. You will also take part in 2 training seminars lasting 5 to 7 days. At the end, you will get a Youthpass-certificate.

Requirements

The Participant profile: The volunteer should have skills in organising, flexibility, ability to work independently,working on the computer, interest in working with people of different nationalities, open for foreign cultures and religions You can find more information on our website: https://eurowerkstatt-jena.de/hosting/projects/ Please download our application form, https://eurowerkstatt-jena.de/hosting/application/ fill it in and send it to us: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tp_T0ndL3U3z-gSdpsIW-P_62DLAxEYw/edit#bookmark=id.kffb3d7dirqj Mail-address: [email protected] IMPORTANT: Our quota for volunteers that need a visa to live in Germany is full, so please do not complete the application form if you need a visa, thank you.Deadline: