The Institute for Regional Development, o.p.s., as a host organisation within the framework of the European Voluntary Service, enabled one volunteer from Poland to participate in a volunteer project called Voluntary Service at the Europe Direct Bruntál Information Centre.
The project was implemented from 6 November 2014 to 6 September 2015
Activities in the centre
The preparation of each activity includes basic training – an introduction to the issues of the activity. We try to provide the volunteers with all the necessary information about the programmes and procedures. The centre manager is in contact with the volunteer on a daily basis and in case of any questions, she is sl. Natalia Piaszczyk is available for any questions.
The main activity of the volunteer is cooperation and assistance in organizing lectures, seminars, talks, exhibitions and other information and educational events focused on European topics. The volunteer has the opportunity to participate in the preparation and implementation of educational and informative events for local citizens, primary and secondary school students, NGOs, etc.
Volunteer activities
Specific volunteer activities include: preparation and implementation of events, organizing exhibitions and information campaigns (organization and promotion), contact with visitors to the Centre (information and contact search), joint preparation of information brochures, application forms and other project documentation, website management (updating and maintenance), social media management (updating and maintenance), cooperation in the creation of newsletters, management of the library collection, local and regional outreach activities, etc.
Working hours
Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 14:00.
Knowledge/skills acquired
The volunteer gains knowledge about the European Union (position, functioning, institutions, etc.). Deepens her knowledge of her rights as a citizen of the European Union (through the preparation and implementation of events on the subject). Gain work experience and knowledge in the context of running an information centre. Improves his/her communication skills through constant interaction with visitors to the Centre. They will learn how to use various computer programmes, manage websites and social media. They will become familiar with the work of a project manager (application forms and other project documentation). They will learn how to communicate with the media, write press releases and articles, create newsletters.
Natalia has shown her own initiative by organizing language courses in Polish and English, which are held 4 times a week (from February to the end of June 2015): on Mondays there is a Polish and English course in Vrbno pod Pradědem, on Tuesdays a Polish course in Bruntál (at the Information Centre) and on Thursdays an English course for beginners and intermediate learners in Bruntál (also at the Information Centre). Natalia also gave lectures for secondary school students on the topic of European Voluntary Service. The lectures were set in the form of information education about the Erasmus+ mobility project. Among other things, the volunteer helps in the organisation, implementation and promotion of various events for children, pupils and the general public.
Photos, videos and other information about the activities of our volunteer can be found in the Europe Direct Bruntál section (Photo Gallery 2015 and They wrote about us) or on the official website of Europe Direct Bruntál: http://www.europe-direct.cz/strediska/bruntal
Upon completion of the EDS, the volunteer will receive
– Youthpass
– Europass, CV
– Europass, Mobility
– Certificate from the Institute for Regional Development, o.p.s.
Practical information
Travel costs (to and from the Czech Republic)
100% of the travel costs are covered by the host organisation.
Accommodation
For the first half of her voluntary service, the volunteer was accommodated in the Montenegro Hotel in Bruntál, but since the second half of the project she has been living in a separate apartment near the Europe Direct Bruntál Information Centre, i.e. the “workplace”.
Pocket allowance
The pocket money is paid to Natalia at the agreed time (the amount of the monthly pocket money is set by the European Commission – 90 EUR/month).
Language course
For the first three months, the volunteer attended a Czech language course with a private tutor.
Travel health insurance
Travel health insurance for the volunteer is provided by the sending organisation with AXA.
Upon arrival in the home country
Upon arrival in the home country, the volunteer will be provided with the necessary support by their sending organisation to better re-integrate into the local community (which can be more difficult than moving abroad), assess their EDS service and newly acquired personal qualities and skills. We plan to keep in touch with Natalie after her volunteer service through a blog on our official website.
