Are you aged 18–30 years? Would you like to develop your know-how and language skills & learn about organic farming? Are you interested in international co-operation?
Apply for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Vanhamäki! Vanhamäki is an activity center and an organic farm located in Suonenjoki in Northern Savonia. The center produces berries and vegetables, offers activities for its visitors, and organizes activities for people who have fallen out of the job market.
Vanhamäki is looking for a young person for a volunteering period at Vanhamäki, primarily 1.5.–31.10.2022, when three other European Solidarity Corps volunteers from different sides of Europe will volunteer at Vanhamäki, too. Nevertheless, the starting time and the length (4–6 months) can be flexibly agreed upon with the participant.
Apply if you are interested in organic farming and international co-operation! You will get to work and live with other young European Solidarity Corps volunteers from different countries. You will have a chance to learn new skills, practice your language skills and advance intercultural understanding through everyday co-operation.
During your volunteering period, you will get to do different kinds of tasks outdoors and indoors. From spring to autumn, the tasks will concentrate on organic farming, from planting to harvesting. In addition, you will get to assist in making organic products, in social media tasks, and in maintenance work of the park area of Vanhamäki. You can also, according to your skills, help in planning and carrying out events, in office work and in kitchen work. You can also assist in organizing activities for unemployed people.
What is the European Solidarity Corps?
European Solidarity Corps is an EU-funded program that supports the international volunteering of young people. In the European Solidarity Corps, young people participate in projects which strengthen solidarity and social cohesion. Welcome to join in are all those 18–30-year old young people and organizations which want to work for a more solidary society.
For whom?
The position is meant for a young asylum seeker or a young person with a refugee or immigrant background who is living in Finland. Through the volunteering period, we wish to advance the integration of the young person to Finland and at the same time offer them international experience.
The position can fit you well if you are aged 18–30-years, and recognize yourself from these:
- I am interested in organic farming and nature.
- I enjoy practical tasks and teamwork.
- I am ready to work outdoors during different seasons.
- I can communicate in English in practical situations.
You don’t need to have any prior education or work background, and if you wish, you can receive support for learning Finnish during your volunteering period.
Accommodation and other practical arrangements
You will be accommodated in your own room in a building in Vanhamäki. You will have access to a shared kitchen and bathroom. Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be partly offered in the restaurant of Vanhamäki, and partly you will cook meals out of ingredients offered by Vanhamäki.
You will be provided with travels to Vanhamäki, accommodation, and daily meals. In addition, you will get pocket money 5 euros in a day (150–155 € / month) as well as insurance for the duration of your volunteering period. Vanhamäki is located about three kilometers away from the center of Suonenjoki. If you wish, you can borrow a bicycle from Vanhamäki for your journeys to the center.
Accessibility
The volunteering tasks related to organic farming are mostly physical, and the buildings of Vanhamäki are not completely accessible, for example. If you are an applicant with a physical or sensory disability, please contact us prior to applying for consultation if the volunteering environment and tasks would be suitable for you and if the support needed could be arranged.
Vanhamäki’s website and social media channels
Website: vanhamaki.fi
The volunteers of Vanhamäki in Instagram
Vanhamäki in Instagram
The volunteers of Vanhamäki in Facebook
Vanhamäki in Facebook
Get to know also the experiences of Vanhamäki’s volunteers, on Maailmanvaihto’s website.
How to apply?
Download and fill in Maailmanvaihto’s application form for European Solidarity Corps volunteering (docx). Send your filled-in form to Maailmanvaihto: hosting@maailmanvaihto.fi. Apply as soon as possible, because the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Please, notice: In the form, we ask for the name, quality label number, and OID number of your sending support organization. You can leave this question unanswered because in this case a sending support organization is not needed. Similarly, you can leave unanswered the question of who is your contact person in your sending support organization.
Further information
Would you like to ask something about the open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering? Please, contact us – we will be happy to answer! You can reach us at hosting@maailmanvaihto, and +358 (0)44 318 0888.
