Service Volontaire International - REGENERATE II

About the local hosting organizationJaunatne smaidam / Youth for Smile is a non-profit, non-governmental youth organization founded in 2005. Our organization is dedicated to fostering the intellectual, creative, and personal development of young people through various initiatives. With a mission to create, experience, and be together, we aim to provide opportunities that empower local communities and contribute to the growth of youth on both local and international levels.Our organization s primary goals are threefold: creating, experiencing, and being together. We strive to enable local communities to learn, participate, and self-realize (Creating), offer experiences at the local and international levels to promote personal development among young people (Experience), and cultivate an environment where young individuals can develop competencies for the growth of their communities (Being together).The organization is committed to fulfilling these goals through a range of tasks and programs. These include:1. Youth Initiatives: We actively develop and promote youth initiatives, fostering favorable conditions for intellectual and creative development.2. Non-formal Education: Providing young people with opportunities to acquire essential life skills, knowledge, and competencies through non-formal education.3. Leisure Time Activities: Offering opportunities for young individuals to make good use of their leisure time in meaningful ways.4. Information Access: Ensuring young people have access to relevant information for their developmental needs.To address the needs of youth with fewer opportunities, we implement outdoor education and adventure pedagogy through various non-formal education programs. Additionally, our international voluntary work camps program promotes intercultural learning, community development, and peace education.In low-populated areas, we conduct mobile youth work, providing essential youth services where municipalities may not cover them. Advocacy at the regional level is a crucial aspect of our work, advocating for the quality of youth work and the development of participatory youth policy.Furthermore, our active involvement in traditional folk and cultural events aims to introduce these aspects to the youth, preserving cultural heritage and fostering a sense of community. DIY workshops are organized to support young people in learning practical skills necessary for life.While the organization was established in 2005, we have grown to be a values-based youth association with a significant impact on local communities and the personal development of young individuals. Our commitment to creating, experiencing, and being together drives our efforts to empower the youth and contribute to the well-being of the broader community.

Presentation of the programmeThe project initiated by Jaunatne smaidam / Youth for Smile, stemming from their 2010 Outdoor Education Center, is a commendable effort to foster environmental sustainability through an innovative sustainable farm-training center. This initiative aims to serve as a platform for the dissemination of information and knowledge about sustainability on both a local and global scale.The project invites international volunteers to participate in a work camp that adopts a holistic approach to everyday life. Volunteers will engage in various tasks based on weather conditions and real needs, spanning fields such as agriculture, farming, restoration of natural areas, and traditional building preservation.Key activities within the work camp include:Permaculture Garden Development: Volunteers will work on creating and maintaining a permaculture garden, emphasizing sustainable and regenerative farming practices.Animal Care: Volunteers will have the opportunity to care for animals on the farm, including sheep, goats, rabbits, etc. This involves building pasture paddocks and preparing food for the winter season.Restoration of Natural Areas: The project involves restoring natural meadows by clearing them of bushes and purifying rivers from overgrowth, contributing to the preservation of local ecosystems.Nature Path Creation: Volunteers will engage in creating a nature path in the forest by removing bushes and planting trees, enhancing the natural beauty of the area and providing educational opportunities.In addition to these hands-on activities, the work camp will incorporate non-formal education sessions focused on eco-activism. These sessions aim to empower volunteers by developing their competencies to implement activities within their communities. The methodology for these educational sessions has been developed within the framework of the Erasmus project "Youth Action For Nature and Well-being" (www.yafnaw.eu).Overall, the project represents a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address environmental sustainability through practical initiatives, education, and the engagement of international volunteers. The inclusion of various activities ensures a well-rounded experience for participants while contributing positively to the environment and local communities.

Local accommodationLiving conditions are very basic. Volunteers will be accommodated in a rural farm. Sleeping will be in tents provided by the organisers. We will provide mattresses as well. Toilets and washing facilities will be provided. Cooking will be done by volunteers themselves in the outdoor kitchen. Volunteers should bring their sleeping bags. Do not forget some traditional or typical food from your home country for the international evening.

About the project locationWork camp will be organized in BArbele village, Bauska municipality. The administrative centre of the municipality is Bauska located 60 km from RA)ga. More information about region - https://www.tourism.bauska.lv/en/ . More about Latvia - https://www.latvia.travel/en.