INTER-PARK PROJECT: ENGAGING PEOPLE FOR NATURE!!

Interestingly, the EVS allows you to discover different cultures, the one of the country where you move but also those of other volunteers: you’ll meet so many young people from all over Europe during your project!! First of all you gather during the on-arrival and mid-term training, where you have the chance to share serious reflective as well as fun moments. Then, during your stay and because of travelling, the network expands and you’ll find several new friends! Consider that, for example, in Lithuania alone there are about 200 volunteers per year!

Moreover, if you find out that you have a lot in common, you can join forces and organise a project together!

That’s what happened to me: I met other volunteers from other parks of Lithuania and we decided to do something together to “Engage people for nature”. Indeed nature conservation is very important for us all and we realized that one way to inspire people to protect it, is simply to let them know more about it! So what we did is a video to talk and show about Lithuanian nature and about volunteering. It was an amazing experience both because of the hard team work on a common project and because of the much fun we had.

In the end this is the aim of the EVS, the creation of an intercultural network and a chance to grow by doing.

Hopefully our video will inspire you to volunteer for what you believe in and to respect and protect our wonderful nature!

Here the links to the project:

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JA0z39NzkO6c_p7_k-QNw

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/engagingpeoplefornature/

A PROJECT IN THE PROJECT

The EVS, as will be the volunteering with the Solidarity Corps, is the ideal context to challenge yourself. Not only will you try new activities, new “jobs”, but you will also have the chance to develop your own projects. This is a relevant experience as you can unleash your creativity, put into practice your ideas and create something new. Your initiative - which can be big or small and can be one, two or more - will bring added value to your hosting organisation.

Now, a few tips: while drafting your project keep in mind your final goal, take into consideration all possible problems and try to discuss the details with your tutor and mentor.

My idea was to organise an event about owls, to introduce these fascinating animals to the public and promote the re-connection with nature. The central figure was the boreal owl (Aegolius funereus), as exactly 40 years ago the ornithologist of this park discovered the presence of this bird in the forests of the area. After weeks of thinking and planning, the final event was composed of several activities: an introduction about owls, a children workshop, the opening of the owl pellets to find out about their diet, a photo exposition, an excursion in the old-growth forest.

A very interesting day! Well, maybe I am a bit biased. Anyway, it worked out well and I’m happy I did a small part in encouraging people to get a bit closer to nature. We really need that nowadays...

Going back to one's personal projects, that’s not all: you can also do a project with other volunteers, but that deserves a specific article!!