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 Greece
Conservation Volunteers Greece (C.V.G.)
Mission
ELIX -Conservation Volunteers
Greece is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization promoting, since 1987,
voluntary service and education. The main goal of ELIX is the personal development
of individuals as citizens of the world, through active participation. Environmental
protection, cultural heritage conservation, culture promotion and social service
are the main thematic fields of ELIX's voluntary projects. Aims
ELIX aims in bringing together people from different cultural, social and ethnic
backgrounds, willing to live, learn and work together as a team, through their
participation in voluntary projects of enovironmental, cultural, social interest.
ELIX projects promote intercultural exchanges and offer young people the opportunity
to participate actively in the every day life of a hosting community. Activities
ELIX organizes two or three weeks' workcamps mainly in the summer; participants
learn traditional restoration craft and techniques, offer voluntary work to the
hosting community, organise and participate in cultural and fun activities, share
ideas and cultures. ELIX's work camps give to communities and small villages of
Greece the opportunity to meet and host young people from all over the world and,
with their contribution, to implement important projects for the local community.
ELIX organises training seminars for youth workers and campleaders and a
lot of activities addressed to volunteers, throughout the year, such as weekend
and one-day excursions, environmental, cultural and fun activities, regular volunteers'
meetings.
Finally, ELIX realises at present two hosting projects within the
frame of the European Voluntary Service of the Youth in Action Program and each
year sends a large number of E.V.S. volunteers abroad. Funds
ELIX's funds come mainly from volunteers' participation fees, national and local
bodies, such as the Greek General Secretariat for Youth, the Hellenic Ministry
for the Environment, physical planning and public works, private institutions
or foundations, donations, the Youth in Action Program and other European projects
(Leonardo da Vinci, etc.). since 1987, when ELIX - C.V.G. was founded,
305 workcamps were organized all over Greece
5.150 volunteers from all over
the world participated in workcamps in Greece
109 communities in Greece benefited
from volunteer work
2005 Greek volunteers participated in voluntary projects
abroad
518 camp leaders from ELIX coordinated the projects
Projects in Greece
general
The Workcamp last 2 to 3 weeks
and are mainly realised in the summer months. Each Workcamp hosts 9-15 volunteers
together with 1 or 2 campleaders. Each workcamp site has a coordinator who is
responsible and in constant communication with the group leaders and the hosts.
ELIX accepts volunteers from the age of 18. Exceptions for younger volunteers
can be negotiated. work Each host decides on the priorities
and takes up the guidance concerning the work. The host in cooperation with ELIX
defines and organizes work long before the beginning of the workcamp, but sleazy
factors might occur;
ELIX is not responsible for any last moment changes by
the host concerning work and always tries to inform the group of volunteers thoroughly
and in time. Participants work 5-6 hours per day, 5 days per week, on a voluntary
basis, along with their camp-leaders and, if needed, a skilled technician. volunteers Volunteers
must be committed to their choice to offer voluntary work; consequently, they
are expected to be responsible and receptive. Volunteers have to be flexible,
motivated and be ready to give up comfort. No special skills are required. accommodation ELIX,
in cooperation with the hosts organises rooms for the board and lodging of the
volunteers. Volunteers are usually hosted in schools, youth centres, hospices
and guesthouses with the basic facilities (showers, toilets). Each day two volunteers
from the group are assigned to cook for the group and clean their "home".
language The communication language of ELIX workcamps is English.
Participants are expected to be able to communicate with the rest of the groups
volunteers and the camp-leaders. health During each workcamp,
volunteers are insured against accidents for the outlined days of the camp. First
aid kit is always provided on site. European Volunteers have to bring their European
Health Card. We recommend especially to Non EU volunteers to take out travel insurance.
free time Free time activities depend on the possibilities
for recreation existing in each area, as well as the interest and needs of each
group. Free time expenses are not covered by ELIX.
For
more information about Conservation Volunteers Greece (C.V.G.), visit:
www.cvgpeep.gr way
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