Youth Centre Villa Elba

Project 1 hosting one volunteer for 12 months starting from September 2019 (Apply now!)

Youth Centre Villa Elba is one of the nine National Youth Centres in Finland that specialize in providing a safe operating environment for young people to experience, learn, and have adventures that encourage personal growth. Villa Elba has a strong emphasis on international youth work. We work with EVS projects and youth exchanges and give information and guidance on international opportunities. The nature school offers environmental education, camp schools and program services. Villa Elba is also a venue for meetings, celebrations, camps and events and provides accommodation and restaurant services. Villa Elba is located in the town of Kokkola, in Western Finland. Only 4 km from the centre of Kokkola, Villa Elba has great surroundings by the sea in a villa area and next to nature paths.

Proposed activities:

The aim of the project is to arrange global education in different forms for different focus groups. The volunteer will work in cooperation with local organisations, such as schools, youth houses and associations to encourage people to learn about languages, cultures, international possibilities and other global phenomena. During skiing season the volunteer will be responsible for hosting a winter café in Villa Elba. The café acts as a refreshment point for visitors and a small information and display spot with educational materials and handouts and possibly local art. As part of the strategic EVS project ”Maailma maaseudulle!”, the volunteer will help organise International Club activities to local youth. The volunteer’s tasks also include taking part in the daily activities and helping different departments of our centre in office work, maintenance and practical daily tasks when needed.

The volunteer assists the staff in receiving different visiting groups and arranging services to them. Together with the team s/he will plan and realize activities run by the Centre, such as camps, youth exchanges, group EVS projects, seminars and training courses. The volunteer is also encouraged to make suggestions and give ideas for new programmes and activities concerning the youth groups visiting Villa Elba. The volunteer will help market and document different events and projects.

Profile of the volunteer:

We are looking for an open-minded and active person, who enjoys working with different age groups. Flexibility and teamwork skills are needed since the volunteer will collaborate with different organisations and work in different locations during the work week. We also expect sense of initiative and positive attitude.

Practical arrangements:

The volunteers will live in Villa Elba, in shared rooms with other volunteers, and have shared kitchen, toilet and shower facilities. Lunch or lunch package is provided and the volunteers will receive a monthly food allowance to prepare other meals. Bikes will be provided for local transport.

For more information
Kati Paasila
Hankesuunnittelija
+358 (0)6 8313 400, +358 (0)44 5325 160
kati.paasila[at)kokkola.fi