Erasmus+ volunteering with GAIA in KOSOVO
2020/21 - Bozevce permaculture program
The project starts the 1rst of September 2020 and is for 12 months. It is part of
the Erasmus+ program “European Voluntary Service (EVS)”. More info about
the EVS program you find here.
Description of the organization
GAIA was founded in 2010 in Plemetina, a village situated next to Kosovo's coal power plants. It
registered as a non-governmental organization in June 2010 in Prishtina, Kosovo. In 2014 GAIA became
the official branch of Service Civil International, one of the oldest peace organizations, which organizes
diverse volunteer programs all around the world. Since then, together with different local partners, more
than 30 international volunteer workcamps have been organized in which more than 300 international
and local volunteers participated. Besides workcamps, GAIA has been organizing campaigns,
educational events (trainings, workshops, seminars) and youth exchanges on the topic of nature
conservation, climate change, reconciliation, rights of minorities, national identity and permaculture.
GAIA is dedicated to the culture of peace, social and environmental justice and sustainable living. The
main activities of GAIA are international volunteer programs, non-formal education and permanent
community building programs, in places which are facing different social or environmental challenges.
In 2019 GAIA operates within 4 programs:
1. Permaculture program in Bozevce
2. Educational program in Gracanica’s Roma mahalla, called “Imaginatorium”
3. Peace-building program in Mitrovica
4. Climate change program
BOZEVCE PERMACULTURE PROGRAM
Since Spring 2017, few volunteers from GAIA got involved in renovation of an old house in
abondoned property which was give to us for use.
The general idea is to create a sustainable place where we will organize different educational and
volunteering programs and idealy inspire people to move there to live, create, enjoy and to keep the
village and tradition alive.
For 2020 were are planning many different events around permaculture, natural building and
sustainable living including local community, GAIA volunteers, but also international groups.
https://www.movetia.ch/en/programmes/swiss-programme-for-erasmus/youth-i...
LIFESTYLE
In the organization, but especially in project related to environmental issues, nature conservation and
sustainable living, we practice and respect principles of sustainability that we agreed upon. In Boževce,
we respect the following principles and values:
- buying local as much as possible
- eating seasonal, organic and vegetarian
- avoiding products from multinational corporations such as coca-cola, nestle, etc...
- traveling with environmental friendly way
Since Spring until Autumn volunteers work on various tasks which follow the change of seasons.
In Autumn the work is mostly related to preparation of winter:
- collecting and preserving fruits and mushroom
- lots of gardening
- preserving food for winter
- wood working
In Winter, most of the time is used for planing, learning and reflecting:
- Learning the local language
- Visitng neigbours and events
- Preparing plans for garden, volunteer groups and educational events
- Taking care of animals
In Spring, volunteers will work on:
- building summer classroom, renovating an old hay loft
- prepare garden and help with the maintenance
- welcome activities on the property such as workshops, introduction to permaculture
- collecting herbs around the village
In Summer the work might be earlier due to hot weather, especially in the garden.
- gardening (sowing, harvesting)
- support coordination of international workcamp groups (possibly in other locations)
- construction (straw bale insulation)
- herb (collecting and storing medicinal herbs)
Nature of work in Bozevce is changeable and flexible, what depends on the weather, priorities and
unexpected situations. Also it is the first time after few years that people will live on the property and
welcoming international volunteers. This means that most of the tasks will be around construction
(physical work) and building. Therefore, we expect that volunteers are also flexible and ready for
unexpected situations and changes in the working plan. Besides above mentioned, all volunteers
participate in everyday household activities.
LEARNING POSSIBLITIES
The volunteer will have plenty of opportunties for learning, through everyday life activities, organized
workshops and course, and taking over certain responsibilties. The volunteer will learn about:
- basics of permaculture and natural building
- living simply, with seasons and in an international community
- animal care
- gardening and edible plants
- using of different tools
- local languages and customs
- group dynamic, intercultural learning, facilitaton and conflict management
- and much more...
CONDITIONS
- To be between 18 and 30
- Open and honest in communication
- Willing to live simply and in an international group
- Share values of SCI, and GAIA
- Not be afraid of animals
- Nature and permaculture enthusiast
- Willing to work
- Flexible with tasks
- Reliable
What is included:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Insurance
- Visa
- Pocket Money
- Travel grant
The practical and logistic matters will be handled by GAIA. SCI Switzerland will organize all
administrative matters like insurance.
Please write to evs@scich.org if you are interested in becoming an Erasmus+ volunteer. Please note
that you can only apply if you are between 18-30 years old and if you have not volunteered through the
Erasmus+ before.
Send your application via email to evs@scich.org with the subject Application Swiss EVS -
September 2020, and include all the following documents in English:
- CV, Curriculum Vitae
- Specific motivation letter for the project
Deadline for the application is the 30th of April 2020.
More details about GAIA and our activities can be found at http://gaiakosovo.org/