Avatars of Nógrád - 7 months EVS project in Hollókő

The 3rd edition of Creative Space EVS has been again great success in 2014. Five volunteers (Zuzana, Mariia, Maria, Katrina and Fedor) coming from 5 countries (Czech Republic, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia and Russia) committed themselves for 7 months to create a small international community living in Hollókő and supporting Creative Space in its grassroot youth work mission: create equal opportunities for children and youth in Nógrád county, one of the poorest region in Hungary. This EVS group organized English speaking action-based creative workshops in 5 villages (Rimóc, Nagylóc, Nógrádszakál, Endrefalva, Varsány), as well they supported local communities in severa ways.

Objectives of EVSers activities:

-       organize daily English speaking creative workshops in after school clubs to children and youth

-       giving information about Youth in Action and other EU possibilities,

-       support local initiatives of youth, Creative Space and other local NGOs

-       act as co-creator in the 4^th International Voluntary Camp

-       create media materials about EU topics

-       maintain the busy international community center: Creative Space

Creative Space is the only EVS accredited organisation in Nógrád county therefore the 5 volunteers had their uniqe role in the area to provide international events for the local communities and be an example of active European citizens. With the professional support of Creative Space staff EVS volunteers became more confident and responsbile, acquired and practiced 21st century professional and life skills, made decision on their own future. The project supported all of them to move forward in their professional and personal lives, they went through real-life experiences, did high quality youth work which enabled them to decide what education or profession they want to go on. They all succeeded to get into new university, or start a new job, one of them even settled in Hungary.

This EVS project is a unique opportunity for EVS volunteers as well as for local children and youth. Everyone who is connected to the project have the chance to be involved non-formal learning, know more about possibilties in the EU, start new initiatives. Local community highly appreciates the volunteers contribution and since 2012 the project became part of the life of the Szécsény micro-region and its importance is constantly increasing in the area by unlocking new potential in each project.

Links to the project:

www.kreativ-ter.hu

https://www.facebook.com/groups/358344838699/

http://raisingpeace2014.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/a-message-of-peace-from-maria-fedor-evs-volunteers-in-egyesek-hungary/

https://vimeo.com/100044552

https://vimeo.com/100731436

https://vimeo.com/100790604

https://www.facebook.com/evs.holloko

Creating Waves - 6 months EVS project in Hollókő

Creative Space Centre as the only one EVS accredited organisation in Nógrád county has been successfully implemented and improved its second long-term – 6 months – EVS project. In this edition 5 volunteers from 4 countries (Aida - Spain, Flávia - Portugal, Maja - Croatia, Manuel - Spain, Tihomir - Bulgaria) had the chance to participate in an intense learning process, while supporting the organisations’ goals and aims in terms of outreach grassroot rural youth work and rural community development.

After our first EVS project we have redesigned the programme and focused in a way that is more effective for the volunteers’ learning process as well as for the improvement of local roma and non roma children and youth and their communities. Nógrád county is one of the poorest in the region: youth unemployment rate is high, low access of education and information, youth projects are not known, low profile of public transportation, low level of mobility.

The volunteers arrived to this context in order to trigger youth in the area, actively involve them to non-formal, informal and intercultural learning. They were examples of an active European citizen who are able to find solutions to rural challenges and take action to increase their own and the local communities’ living standards. They proved that being less-opportunity youth themselves they can be role models to the other peers.

Volunteers reached the successes through 5 activity areas:

1. Organizing English speaking learning sessions to roma and non-roma children and youth in 5 villages (Nagylóc, Rimóc, Nógrádszakál, Varsány, Endrefalva).
2. Promoting YiA, EVS, scholarships, mobility projects, Creative Space youth programmes in high schools (Szécsény and Balassagyarmat).
3. Organizing events: creating English language clubs twice a week for local youth and social workers; they supported the organization of the 4^th International Voluntary Camp.
4. Creating their own project: Wrote and designed a game collection book grasping the tested games and activities they have implemented during ther EVS service and offering it to the next EVS volunteers as well to organisations which are working in similar context.
5. Maintaining a busy international community place – Creative Space in Hollókő – which gave home also to the volunteers.

This EVS project is an essential activity in the area since there is no other possibility for children and youth to be involved in intercultural, international projects. The volunteers became part of the community, they were acknowledged and welcomed by all stakeholders as well by the target groups. Their presence and pro-active service brings new waves and ideas to the local people’s life, raising their awareness of social inclusion and volunteering. Organizing common activities with them enables local youth to put their ideas into action and get extra support to increase the quality of their living standards. Meanwhile EVS volunteers are improving their own professional and personal skills supported by a reinforced mentorship.

By the 6 months waves were created and Youth in Action just become known in the area, youngsters take responsibility for their lives, applies to projects in Creative Space and abroad, organize voluntary actions by themselves. These processes were initiated and strengthened by the EVS project.

Links to the project:

Creative Space homepage: www.kreativ-ter.hu

Creative Space Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/358344838699/

4th International Voluntary Camp by Manuel: https://vimeo.com/70340540

Ready, Steady… GO! Games collection book by the EVSers: link will be published soon.