Our common path project is a team-based volunteering initiative funded by the European Solidarity Corps program, coordinated by International Youth Centre Villa Elba (Kokkola, Finland) with the Municipality of Perho as the host organisation.
During August and September 2023 10 volunteers from Italy, Spain, France, Ukraine, Austria and Kosovo gathered together at small but beautiful Finnish municipality Perho where they worked in cooperation with rural community associations and students to renovate nature trails in rural areas in Central Ostrobothnia.
The work included cutting bushes, measuring and cutting timber, and constructing the path using different tools, creating signs for the path, painting, etc.
The project offered volunteers:
- a chance to live in a new culture
- possibility to do volunteer work for the local community
- a chance for intercultural learning
- a project were you can use your skills to help restore a nature path
- opportunity to meet other international volunteers and make friends
- develop your skills and abilities
At the end of the project, the volunteers were asked to share some thoughts about the project and why they decided to participate:
What was the core of the project?
"Connecting with nature"
"Exploring a lovely country with lovely people"
"Being outside with lovely people"
Why did you decide to join this project?
"Taking break from studying"
"To get some new friends"
"Finding my place"
About Youth Centre Villa Elba
Youth Centre Villa Elba provides high quality youth work for all young people.
Their goal is to offer youngsters the possibilities of learning in multicultural environment and finding their own strengths and abilities through international activity.
Their work consists of international camps and programs, education, practical training and voluntary work for young people, information and guidance about international programmes, projects and coordination of volunteering projects.
Villa Elba offers variety of short-term ESC team projects on different topics each year.
The projects can be found on their website: https://www.villaelba.fi/en/volunteering/
