Volunteering – Page 2

Voluntary work with and for Roma communities

Voluntary work with and for Roma communities

Romanian ERGO member Nevo Parudimos Association has more than 5 years of experience in volunteering projects. The organisation has hosted more than 30 volunteers and sent more than 15 volunteers to different European countries.in the last years.

A big part of our work is based on local or international volunteers. Our projects promote volunteering at local level as a tool to promote inclusion. Our project “For a kid smile”, which involved 2500 Roma and non-Roma local volunteers, was a finalist in the Erste Stiftung Roma integration projects award, being considered a good practice in the field.

Currently we are hosting 15 volunteers from across Europe and are searching to recruit five more coming from EU countries, Macedonia and Turkey for our ongoing projects:

Volunteering and Education for Civic Involvement
Volunteering for a smile
V for Volunteering
Yes to volunteering

The main activities of our international volunteers are: non-formal education and prevention of school dropout in schools from poor neighborhoods of Resita; promotion of volunteering and civic involvement; learning foreign languages and promoting interculturality, tolerance and understanding among young people or activities to increase the involvement of young people in decision-making.

You can find more information here.

In November 2018 our association opened the Nevo Parudimos Youth Center, a place that is coordinated together with EVS volunteers. The main goal of the center is the development of social, cultural and artistic activities with and for disadvantaged youth (with a focus on Roma youth) in Resita Citi (80.000 inhabitants). The youth center offers volunteers opportunity for self-development and creates a safe space for EVS volunteers to learn and practice non – formal education methods for their professional development.

Welcome to our new volunteer

Welcome to our new volunteer

My name is Shannon MacDonald, I am a Scottish Gypsy/Traveller from Scotland in the UK, and I am the new volunteer for ERGO Network. I am very excited to begin this role as I have always felt very passionate about Antigypsyism and discrimination against people like me and my family. I have experienced racism first hand and would like to take this opportunity at ERGO Network to hear people’s experiences and also share mine.

As a keen photographer I have tried to tackle difficult issues for Travellers through my photography, my work has been exhibited multiple times now and it is encouraging to see my culture represented in places where everyone can see. Hopefully I have managed to change some people’s negative preconceived notions that they have about the Gypsy/Traveller community. In the past I have worked with NGO’s in the UK, such as Article 12 and MECOPP, I am also a founding member of the group Gypsy/Traveller Youth Assembly (GTYA). Through these groups I have helped change small things for my community. It is important to me as an activist for Roma/Gypsy/Traveller Rights to try to make things better for people who share my ethinicity. It is extremely hard to change things when it feels like everything is against you, but it is important to try.

ERGO is looking for a volunteer

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Call for Solidarity Corps volunteer in ERGO Network

ERGO Network is looking for an enthusiastic and active young Roma who would like to join our office team in Brussels for 11 months in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps.

When: February to December 2019

Where: ERGO Network office in Brussels, Belgium

Who: Young Roma professional between 18 and 30

EXTENDED Deadline for applications: 13 January 2019

During the 11 months in ERGO, you will learn about international advocacy, help us organise international meetings and events and get actively involved in Roma activism and international Roma networks in Brussels.

Your main tasks will be:

Communication and visibility: contribute to the update of the ERGO Network and RomaReact websites and social media channels; development of creative approaches and publicity work to promote our activities and mission and a positive image of Roma.

Researching and reporting: Assisting ERGO’s research work e.g. on cases of inequality and antigypsyism all over Europe.

Advocacy and policy: Support ERGO staff in EU advocacy work on poverty reduction, social inclusion and antigypsyism; attend debates, hearings and meetings with other stakeholders to challenge stereotypes and racism, build partnership with Roma and non-Roma organisations from Belgium and other European countries.

Meetings and seminars: Assist in the organisation of meetings, events and international seminars of ERGO Network and its partners, e.g. our Advocacy Academy, Annual Members Meeting etc.

Your profile:

Young Roma between 18 and 30 living in an EU member state or in Macedonia or Turkey
Good English language skills, both oral and written
Computer literacy (experience with Microsoft office package and social media)
High motivation to learn more about Roma activism and advocacy work and to contribute to a small but very active European NGO
Previous involvement in Roma or (pro) Roma NGOs will be considered an advantage
Reliable, well organised and with attention to detail

You will work about 38 hours per week, including your language course. Working hours will be from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 17:00. However, working hours can be adapted to your needs and the activities you will be involved in.

We aim to support young people who are enthusiastic about our cause and want to gain experiences that can be later transferred to national or local NGOs. We especially welcome applications from people who are motivated to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism and who show an open attitude for a unique learning and life experience, as well as a volunteer spirit of creativity, initiative, responsibility and independence.

We offer:

An allowance of 1049 Euro that includes money for accommodation, meals, local transport, language course and pocket money
Travel costs to Brussels (a lump sum depending on the distance to Brussels)
Complementary health insurance
On-arrival training with other Solidarity Corps volunteers, and lots of learning and development opportunities with ERGO Network and our partners
An exciting and unforgettable experience, working for an international organisation in an international city!

How to apply:

Please send your motivation letter (1 page) and CV (max 2 pages) latest by 13^th January 2019 to info@ergonetwork.org.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

You can download the call for applications here.

Christine Sudbrock t: +32 2 89 31 045 | e: info@ergonetwork.org