International volunteering

Have you ever had the feeling that you want to quit everything and just hitchhike and discover the world? The project our guests in this episode of our 'ENGAGE' podcast series participated in seems to have exactly that vibe. This summer, Kateřina Kozáková and Marie Votočková joined the project 'Learning by Bussing' co-organized by INEX and funded by the Erasmus+ programme Re-cognition. And it was way more than just hitchhiking: Together with 14 other volunteers, they set out for a three-week journey, traveling from Denmark to Kosovo in a 30-year old bus to deliver a series of non-formal educational workshops for young people along the way. From preschool children over volunteers from an eco village to university students. Kateřina and Marie tell us everything they experienced throughout the project and its preparation. They reflect on what they took away from this experience, how it contributed to and changed their lives, and why 'reflection' and 'community' in general became a few of the key words during the trip for them and their group. Have a listen to hear about their stories, experiences, challenges and unexpected encounters from this adventurous journey.This podcast series was created thanks to the financial support of the European Union as part of the project with the same name, ENGAGE: Empowering Next Generation Advocate for Global Education.

In this episode of our “Engage” podcast series, we talk to Jakub Ždych. Jakub is a young entrepreneur who not only runs his own coffee and construction business, but also organizes volunteering projects as a local partner of INEX-SDA at his own property: An historic castle in the small village of Rochlov near Plzeň. He invests the profits from his construction business to preserve the castle as a cultural and historical heritage. To breathe new life into it he hosts INEX-SDAs workcamps there, but also started to keep unusual fauna. During the episode Jakub shares his experiences and tips becoming and being an entrepreneur, reveals his approaches to solving difficult situations in a team and managing conflicts, and how working with people from different cultural backgrounds has shaped his perspective.This podcast series was created thanks to the financial support of the European Union as part of the project with the same name, ENGAGE: Empowering Next Generation Advocate for Global Education.

How can we stand up for each other and get active? In our new podcast series 'ENGAGE', we talk to inspirational people living across Europe actively engaged in communities, participating in or creating their own opportunities. In our first episode we meet Miriam Margoshvili, aka Mia. Mia came to volunteer for INEX-SDA through the European Solidarity Corps program with a vision: To share about her perspective of growing up in Georgia as a Chechen woman. From her first years at school, over her psychology studies, founding the Georgian nonprofit organisation ‘Youth center Illuminator’ to moving to the Czech Republic: Mia shares her journey about her realisations, about creating change, working on herself to empower others and especially young girls from her community. A journey about how her life situation in Georgia inspired her to become more engaged and to participate in volunteering abroad. A journey about volunteering and thinking beyond the cage of social expectations. The series was created thanks to the financial support of the European Union as part of the project with the same name, ENGAGE: Empowering Next Generation Advocate for Global Education.

How does our history shape our everyday life? And why is it so important to learn from European history and to keep up our remembrance culture?  In our last episode, together with Jutta Weduwen and Max Anton Müller, directress and summer camp leader of the German association Action Reconciliation and Peace (short ASF), we explore exactly that question through ASF’s project “Forgotten History in Europe”, funded by the EU CERV Remembrance program.  History in Europe, most recently but certainly not only since the phase of German national socialism and World War II, reveals structural and systemic discrimination against Jewish, Sinti and Roma population. Jutta Weduwen explains that throughout the project participants discover a sometimes largely unknown local history of Nazi crimes, what impact it has until today and how to combat antisemitism and antigypsyism across Europe.  ASF, their partner organizations in Poland, Czech Republic and Greece as well as local initiatives organize meet-ups with witnesses and activists, workshops, summer camps and study trips to raise awareness and develop innovative ways to keep learning from that history in present times.  With Max Anton Müller we hear more about one of last year’s summer camps in Budapest, Hungary. As the leader of that summer camp, Max tells us all about his experiences about the work the group of intercultural participants did, what kind of impressions and challenges they had and how they grew into their own part-time family just over a few weeks.  INEX-SDA, IG, FB  EU’s CERV program Project “Forgotten History in Europe” Action Reconciliation and Peace Germany (ASF) Registration for ASF summer camps 2024 One Year Voluntary Service in Germany through ASF

Discover ways how to prevent and act against gender-based violence in our latest episode as we take a closer look at what it is and how we can fight it together. Gender-based violence is physical, sexual or psychological harm inflicted on the basis of gender. So what can we do about it? The CERV Daphne funded project DECIDES YA explores exactly that.  Meet Cristina Bosch, the program officer of the coordinating organisation interarts in Spain. She explains to us how interarts and their five partners across Europe educate about gender-based violence and empower young people to stand up against it through DECIDES YA. And how theater can help with that…She is then joined by Diana and Matej, students and participants of  the initiative For Future under the DECIDES YA project in Romania. They tell us all about their experiences and how Asociatia Transcena, one of interarts’ partners, tackles gender-based violence through theater and digital storytelling as a profound educational tool for emotional connection and awareness. Matej and Diana share their transformative journeys and recognise education as the key to change. As they reflect on their experiences, their stories show the transformative power of education and empathy in combating this widespread problem. By standing together against gender-based violence, they remind us that while this global struggle will not be solved easily or quickly, every small step towards change is invaluable. INEX-SDA, IG, FB  EU’s CERV program The DAPHNE Initiative  Interarts Foundation Decides Youth Ambassadors (DECIDES YA) project The previous DECIDES EUROPE project Asociatia TRANSCENA Instagram account of the DECIDES YA project in Romania

In this episode of the podcast, we look at initiatives working to defend the values of human rights and equality across Europe. We meet Valeria Fantini from the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), a platform bringing together over 300 NGOs and local authorities from all round Europe.  ALDA's latest EU-funded project, 'Inequalities Matters', focuses on climate change awareness and action, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups who are often excluded from such conversations. Through workshops and targeted engagement, ALDA aims to empower youth, older people, people with disabilities, people with migrational background and more to become active participants in shaping local democracy and environmental policy.  Join us as we explore how local efforts can facilitate inclusive citizen participation and foster a more sustainable future. Visit the ALDA website to learn more and get involved in environmental issues, or even become a member! Plus, stay tuned for insights on combating gender-based violence and uncovering European history.  INEX-SDA, IG, FB INEQUALITIES MATTER PROJECT  ALDA: Website, IG, FB

We’re diving into one of the biggest European platforms in our second episode: the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), where young people up to the age of 30 can find a huge variety of short- and long-term volunteering projects across Europe.  INEX-SDA’s ESC project coordinator, Alena Cabalka, gives us a clearer impression about the platform itself and of how an NGO like INEX organises their projects for you as potential volunteers. Siru Laine is also with us to tell us all about her experiences after volunteering one year for INEX through ESC in the Czech Republic.  INEX-SDA, IG, FB European Solidarity Corps portal  ESC at INEX-SDA - Incoming Officer: Siru’s experience as a workcamp leader ESC at INEX-SDA - Edu section: Vitalii’s experience as an ESC volunteer for educational projects ESC at INEX-SDA - Event Manager: Ginger’s experience as an ESC volunteer for event management

In our first episode of the new season, we break the myth of Erasmus+. It's not just about studying abroad, it's a gateway to endless adventures! Especially if you are 30 or younger: this is for you. However, many Erasmus+ funded projects have no age limit, so everyone can take part. Grazia Cannarsa, Research and Information Manager at Eurodesk, tells us all about the Erasmus+ opportunities waiting for you on Eurodesk, Europe's youth information network. We also talk with Dimitris Kounatiadis, Facilitator & Trainer for Erasmus+ projects, for a chat about his transformative journey as a facilitator and trainer for Erasmus+ programmes. Discover the endless opportunities to learn and get involved within Europe! INEX-SDA, INEX Instagram, INEX Facebook eurodesk website, eurodesk Instagram, eurodesk Facebook eurodesk’s Opportunity Finder eurodesk’s European Elections 2024 campaign eurodesk project Time to Move  eurodesk project EUROclasses  eurodesk publications eurodesk Time to Mind guide  eurodesk Pool of Trainers Together.EU through eurodesk European Youth Portal → European Youth Week 2024 Erasmus+ website, Erasmus+ Europe Instagram, Erasmus+ Europe Facebook Erasmus+ Program Guide  Erasmus+ Opportunities Guide  Erasmus+ Opportunities for Individuals Erasmus+ Opportunities for Organisations

V desáté epizodě DOBRO.CASTu se seznámíš s Markétou Svobodovou, zakladatelkou spolku RespON, který se zabývá udržitelností a společenskou odpovědností firem i jednotlivců. Co přesně RespON dělá, pro koho tu jsou, co už se jim podařilo a co bude dál... to vše se dozvíš při poslechu poslední epizody letošního roku.

In our second English episode, our moderator Fred talks to Pedro. An European Solidarity Corps volunteer from Brazil, who came to Prague to volunteer on a project called Football for development and he decided to lead a workcamp in the Czech republic as well. Perdo will share his story and experience with volunteering. And how was it to lead a workcamp in another country?