KERIC and volunteering are very closely intertwined. Since the beginning of our activity, we have been focusing mainly on international volunteering, which is gradually evolving, according to available projects that can support volunteering activities abroad.

It is a unique opportunity to experience a different culture, gain work experience from different areas or be part of the local community. One learns a new language, makes new friends abroad and gets to know the country through the eyes of the locals.

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International volunteering

• • ESC - European Solidarity Corps
    • • Currently open projects
      • Examples of previous projects
  • Erasmus+
  • ICYE - International Cultural Youth Exchange
  • EU Aid Volunteering 

Local volunteering

• • Mentor of our international volunteer
  • Host family
  • Local projects 

International volunteering

European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps is a new European Union initiative that gives young people the opportunity to volunteer or work in their own country or abroad on projects that benefit communities and people across Europe.  

Projects are designed for young people 18 to 30 and there are no entry requirements, such as education or experience. The main goal of the projects is self-development   during the project, gaining new experience, knowledge, relationships, or gaining independence.

Projects can be short-term from 2 weeks to 2 months and long-term 2 to 12 months.

A young person can register on the ESC website 🔗 Search for your project in the database of current projects and apply for a project with the support of the sending organization. When accepted for a project, he is assisted with the preparation of the sending organization.

Upon arrival at the project, the volunteer has his mentor, learning with the support of the host organization the language of the host country and   assists the host organization with its operations.

During the project, he participates in on-arriva l and mid-term training at the invitation of the host national agency.

The project is financially supported by a grant from the European Union and covers reimbursement of travel, accommodation, catering, pocket money, language course, visa, and all costs associated with the implementation of the project .

Every young person can be a long-term ESC volunteer only once in a lifetime .

If a young person is lacking in opportunities and needs extra support to participate in a project, it is possible to ask for an assistant.

It's important that anyone who is interested and can participate in the project motivation.

 

Currently open projects of our partners

This table and most of the projects inside are in Slovak and meant for Slovak audience. Clicking on the links inside you will be transfered to the Slovak part of the web.

Erasmus+

The Erasmus + 2021 - 2027 program is still in the process of being created. So far, we have managed to find that it will focus on supporting smaller organizations to work systematically, long-term, locally, and to provide space for the planned development of youth work in the regions. This will take the form of certification. The organization will develop a project explaining its vision for the activity in the coming years, and after approval, will apply for funding for this activity and will report on the achievement of the intended goals. The process should lead to a lower administrative burden for organizations.

During this period, great emphasis will be placed on supporting projects in the field of sports.

The new program also reflects on the pandemic situation and the emphasis is on the inclusion of virtual activities.

We will closely monitor the creation of the new program and as soon as we obtain more up-to-date information, we will publish it here

 

ICYE - International Cultural Youth Exchange

A voluntary program that is not dependent on European Union financial support. The costs associated with participation in the project are paid by the participant.

The ICYE network of organizations was established after World War II between Germany and the United States to prevent further conflicts. The philosophy of the network of organizations was solidarity and international cooperation. The strategy of the network is to have one ICYE organization in the country, which coordinates host projects throughout the country.

The project has a strong educational dimension, which is ensured by a series of trainings (pre-departure, on-arrival, mid-term, final, after), connection with the local community (host family, mentor, local host organizations), social dimension - most projects are in the field of social work, education, and ecology.

More information on possible projects and countries can be found at https://www.icye.org/

 

EU Aid Volunteers

This European Union program ran from 2014 to 2020 and the last calls for participation in these projects are open until 2022.

These are humanitarian projects in countries outside the European Union.

They are designed for people with professional experience in a field. The goal is to develop the host community.

Participants can participate from 2 months to 2 years.

They can participate in this type of project repeatedly.

It is possible to apply from any country in the EU.

A change is now being prepared and in the period 2021 - 2027 this type of project will be implemented under ESC HumanAid. Participants will have an age limit of 18 to 35 years. Details are not yet available in the details, but we expect to learn these details during the spring months of 2021.

Volunteers are reimbursed for accommodation and travel expenses, insurance, continuing education and development, a monthly allowance and a resettlement allowance, and assistance with return expenses.

 

Examples of previoius volunteering

 

 

Volunteering in Costarica 

 

At the local level

International Volunteer Mentor  

It can be anyone who wants to improve their   communication skills in a foreign language, like to help, like to meet new people, and want to be a part of it our international community .

You'll learn how to be a good mentor during preparatory meetings.   It should be like, friend in the country . When he goes outside, he calls a volunteer with him from time to time. He will show him the city, the surroundings, take him on a trip. He will advise and help when needed.

It's great to be a mentor, you learn a lot about habits > and the country of the volunteer, but in particular will form an incredibly strong friendship that lasts.

 

Host family

KERIC, as one of the few organizations, provides volunteers with a host family for its volunteer service. It's very simple, the first moments for a volunteer are not with us with the people of KERIC, but with the host family. She waits for him at the station and accommodates him at home for a week. She should accept it as her own and show him how Slovaks live. You don't even have to know English too well. Nowadays, everyone has smartphone translator and dad has a translator for you, a younger member of the family.

It is a unique opportunity to meet people from other countries, talk in a foreign language and, last but not least, get to know the Slovak of foreigners .

 

Local projects

We always welcome help during our local projects, whether it is cleaning around the river Kysuce, help on workshops , help during summer camps or participation in our events