Resources for Youth Power- A2: Russia
GENERAL INFORMATION
In the context of the “Resources for youth power” project our 2 Volunteers, Konstantina and Emmanouela, were hosted by the organization “Falcogroup” in the city of Krasnodar, in Russia, and became part of their multicultural team.
As is the case for every ESC project, each of our Volunteers had a designated coordinator (tutor), who was their key reference point for task-related support, and a mentor who helped their smooth integration into the social and cultural life in Sardinia and facilitated their self-reflection and personal growth through this learning experience!
Resources for Youth Power- A2: Russia
GENERAL INFORMATION
In the context of the “Resources for youth power” project our 2 Volunteers, Konstantina and Emmanouela, were hosted by the organization “Falcogroup” in the city of Krasnodar, in Russia, and became part of their multicultural team.
As is the case for every ESC project, each of our Volunteers had a designated coordinator (tutor), who was their key reference point for task-related support, and a mentor who helped their smooth integration into the social and cultural life in Sardinia and facilitated their self-reflection and personal growth through this learning experience!
ACTIVITIES
In the first couple of days of their placement, Konstantina and Emmanouela got familiarized with life in Krasnodar, their work environment, and their responsibilities. In fact, on the third day after their arrival, the two girls had the chance to participate in a big seminar, where Falcogroup members were the trainers.
As time progressed, the Volunteers adapted to their new home and working environment and got involved in many different activities:
Communication activities & Work in the office with digital tools
One of the first activities and training volunteers had, was about digital tools. They learned to use Canva, Google Drive, online calendars, social media pages, and of course the basics, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Those tools helped the volunteers with their everyday office activities and upgraded their digital skills. Also, they learned how to use social media to their benefit to communicate their activities with their target group.
Cross-cultural events & Outdoor Activities, Language Café, English-speaking Club
In this project, the volunteers had at least once a week one of these activities. They had English-speaking clubs every Saturday with local youth or with the local English school they used to collaborate.
Also, they organized one cross-cultural event, when they had the chance, with the Turkish volunteers that the organization hosted at the time.
Russian Course
Of course, our volunteers had the chance to learn at a basic level the Russian language. Every week they had one lesson at the office, where the project’s coordination taught them Russian words and grammar rules, through fun activities, videos, reading comics, etc.
Russian Course
Of course, our volunteers had the chance to learn at a basic level the Russian language. Every week they had one lesson at the office, where the project’s coordination taught them Russian words and grammar rules, through fun activities, videos, reading comics, etc.
Creation of NFE activities with local NGOs
Volunteers had the chance to work with local NGOs and contribute to their work. They used to visit once a week a local organization for people with disabilities where they helped the permanent staff with pottery classes or with the creation of many products with recycled jeans.
Moreover, they came in touch with a local organization focusing on recycling, where they organized two seminars about recycling and fast fashion.
Greek lessons
One more big activity that the host organization recommended to volunteers, was the collaboration with the local Greek community. There, the volunteers organized many events, like weekly Greek lessons and dances, one big celebration with activities for kids and adults for Christmas, and finally, they prepared a group of high school students in order to take place in a school competition, where they had to present the Greek culture with act, songs and dances.
Greek lessons
One more big activity that the host organization recommended to volunteers, was the collaboration with the local Greek community. There, the volunteers organized many events, like weekly Greek lessons and dances, one big celebration with activities for kids and adults for Christmas, and finally, they prepared a group of high school students in order to take place in a school competition, where they had to present the Greek culture with act, songs and dances.
On arrival training
Volunteers also attended the on-arrival training that the Russian NA organized in a traditional small city, Vladimir. There, they learned about the volunteers’ rights and responsibilities, as well as the ESC principles. Of course, they met many volunteers from all over Europe and they not only made friendships but also planned future activities together.
Erasmus+ & ESC dissemination/Radio interview
One more unexpected, but very interesting and once-in-a-lifetime experience, was the visit to a big radio station, where the volunteers had the chance to get interviewed for their experience in Russia as European volunteers. There, they had the chance to disseminate Erasmus+ and ESC projects.
Hosting organization’s camp
The biggest event for the hosting organization was their winter camp. Volunteers joined this camp and they had to create everyday activities for more than 30 kids from 5 to 15 years old. So, for one week they had art classes, English classes, treasure hunts, Greek dances and many more non-formal activities.
End of the Placement
Upon their arrival back home, EKO had a “post-project” evaluation meeting, in which Konstantina and Emmanuela could make an overarching evaluation of their volunteering experience and reflect on how they could utilize their experiences in their future pursuits for further education, employment, or civil society engagement.
“This ESC project was the best experience of my life. I gained knowledge on many topics and I met and made friendships with people from different countries. I had the chance to take part in and organize very interesting activities, that helped me further explore and develop myself. I came in touch with a different culture and I started to learn a new language. For all the above, I want to thank both EKO and Falcogroup for giving me this chance and for their help during the project.”
“With a background in community service and a passion for cross-cultural exchange, this program was an invaluable chance to make a positive impact, broaden my perspectives, and foster mutual understanding and collaboration. Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity, I am genuinely honored for my participation in this ESC project.”
Together we explored available possibilities in the context of different programs under the ESC or other contexts:
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs-EYE
As a follow-up, after the end of her program, Emmanouela. joined EKO’s team as Volunteer, contributing to the organization and helping in writing and organizing an ESC program related to mental health. Konstantina returned back to Greece, finished her studies, while continued to volunteers in local and international activities with EKO. Eventually, EKO asked her to become a working member of the team and until now she is a remote-work employee.
Personal project
For this project, the personal project of each volunteer was not implemented and was created only as an idea, due to the unexpected war. Konstantina wanted to explore more the school system, so she wanted to research the differences between Greek and Russian school systems. Emmanuela wanted to create a three-part seminar about cyber security, and even though she organized the first part, she didn’t have time to finish her project.
End of the Placement
Upon their arrival back home, EKO had a “post-project” evaluation meeting, in which Konstantina and Emmanuela could make an overarching evaluation of their volunteering experience and reflect on how they could utilize their experiences in their future pursuits for further education, employment, or civil society engagement.
“This ESC project was the best experience of my life. I gained knowledge on many topics and I met and made friendships with people from different countries. I had the chance to take part in and organize very interesting activities, that helped me further explore and develop myself. I came in touch with a different culture and I started to learn a new language. For all the above, I want to thank both EKO and Falcogroup for giving me this chance and for their help during the project.”
“With a background in community service and a passion for cross-cultural exchange, this program was an invaluable chance to make a positive impact, broaden my perspectives, and foster mutual understanding and collaboration. Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity, I am genuinely honored for my participation in this ESC project.”
Together we explored available possibilities in the context of different programs under the ESC or other contexts:
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs-EYE
As a follow-up, after the end of her program, Emmanouela. joined EKO’s team as Volunteer, contributing to the organization and helping in writing and organizing an ESC program related to mental health. Konstantina returned back to Greece, finished her studies, while continued to volunteers in local and international activities with EKO. Eventually, EKO asked her to become a working member of the team and until now she is a remote-work employee.