YRS-VSS workcamps 2017 - yap.it workcamps 2017.pdf · WORKCAMPS 2017 About YRS – VSS Young Researches of Serbia (YRS) is a non-profit, non-political NGO officially established

Young Researches of Serbia

Voluntary Service of Serbia

WORKCAMPS 2017

About YRS – VSS

Young Researches of Serbia (YRS) is a non-profit, non-political NGO officially established

in 1976 as a network of organizations, societies, clubs and sections with research

programmes, gathered around the coordinative office on the national level in

Belgrade. Through its history the number of members changed, but there were over 50

different organizations taking part. In the 90’s YRS leaves the organizational form of

vertical relationships following the current direction of civil sector development. Today

YRS represents the organization on the national level and it unites three thematically

different but interconnected sectors – Environmental Protection and Conservation

Sector, Youth Sector and Voluntary Service of Serbia.

Young Researches of Serbia involves mostly young people aged 15-30, but there is no

upper age limit. We have developed in delivering good preparation and follow up of

young people with fewer opportunities.

THINK BIG - do little: start an avalanche! is our motto.

Our vision is to be the driving force for all those whose aim is to make our planet a more

peaceful, just and healthy place.

Driven by science and education, our mission is to contribute:

- to environmental protection and nature conservation,

- to development of voluntarism and its values,

- to scientific creativity and active participation of the youth.

Our main aims are environmental protection, environmental education, youth

exchange and work with young people, as well as the promotion of sustainable

development, scientific creativity and volunteerism.

We have organized hundreds of research projects and educative programmes for

young people in various areas of natural and social sciences.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE

We usually send approx. 400-500 volunteers from Serbia abroad and host 400 foreign

volunteers to 35+ workcamps each year. Since 2015 our work on international

volunteers exchange is supported by the Ministry for youth and sports of the Republic of

Serbia.

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

YRS is a member of: Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, CCIVS –

Coordinative Committee of International Voluntary Service, YEE – Youth and

Environment Europe, ANPED – Northern Alliance for Sustainability, CEEWEB – Central and

East European Working Group for the Enhancement of Biodiversity, and a partner of the

network SCI in Serbia. YRS is one of the founding members of SEEYN – South East

European Youth Network.

IN THE ALLIANCE

We are full members of the Alliance since 2005 and in the IVS movement since 1980’s.

Our main contribution to the network has been in delegating representatives to the

Executive Committee (Jelena Ristic Beronja, Vicepresident of the Alliance 2010-2016,

senior trainer in the Pool of Trainers since 2014) and Management Committees (Bojan

Beronja as SDWG coordinator 2012-2014 and again in 2016) and hosting EC meetings,

the first Joint Meeting in 2012, Alliance Capacity Building Training in 2014, Alliance

General Conference and General Assembly 2016. We will be hosting the Alliance

General Assembly in 2016.

Address: Bulevar umetnosti 27, 11150 Beograd 190531 - SERBIA

Phone/Fax numbers: +381 11 311 66 63, +381 11 311 13 14, +381 11 311 66 53

E–mail address: [email protected] (for all general volunteer exchanges related issues)

[email protected] (outgoing placements), [email protected] (incoming

placements)

Website: www.mis.org.rs

Placement officers: Bojan Beronja (incoming), Ivana Bankovic (outgoing)

9 contact points for outgoing volunteers in Serbia:

Since 2010 we have entered into partnerships with voluntary organisations or local

youth offices all over Serbia in order to give more support for volunteers who want to go

to workcamps abroad, but also to have local partners that act as regional centres,

following up the volunteers on their way back to the country, organising regional

promotional campaigns of international voluntary service and local youth activism and

to organise regional workcamps. We invite you to recognize their involvement: Youth

Offices of Obrenovac and Novi Pazar, Environmental movement of Vojvodina, Proaktiv

Nis, Interaktiv Kragujevac, Regional Volunteer Centre Pancevo, Timok Youth Center

Zajecar, Center for Local Democracy Knjazevac, Society of Young Researchers Bor.

GENERAL CONDITIONS for incoming volunteers:

In some workcamps there is an age limit, it is clearly marked for each workcamp. There

are TEEN workcamps as well (15-17) with 120€ fee to be paid on arrival to camp leaders.

For workcamps where we accept the volunteers who are 18 and older, volunteers who

are 17 but have participated in a workcamp before, can apply and we will try to place

them in our workcamps, upon the host’s approval. Don’t hesitate to ask us!

The language of the camps is English.

All our workcamps follow guidelines of the Environmental Sustainability to the extent the

local conditions allow.

Technical details (Alliance website use, Friday list and infosheet...)

For all exchanges we use Easy-placement system – we will provide our partners with our

program (PEF) and volunteer exchange forms (VEF) following suggestions of the last GA

and adopted document – ADIH. Therefore our partners can expect our VEF both in xml

and pdf format.

*At the moment not all the camps have fixed dates.

CAMPLIST*

Camp

code Name Type Dates No. of vols Age limit

VSS01 VILLAGIZATION! Kanjiza MANU/

RENO/CONS 19/04 – 30/04 10 18+

VSS02 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER I, Belgrade RENO/SOCI/

ELDE 24/04 – 06/05 10 18+

VSS03 INTERACTIVE PARK, Kragujevac RENO/MANU 28/04 – 07/05 10 18+

VSS04 IN SEARCH OF AZBUKA, Trsic ENVI, RENO 03/05 – 13/05 10 18+

VSS06 ART4DIVERSITY I, Donja Toponica TEEN/ART 24/06 – 06/07 16 15–17

VSS07 LUDAS THE SWAN LAKE I, Hajdukovo ENVI 02/07 – 15/07 10 18+

VSS08 TONIGHT WE PROUDLY PRESENT,

Omoljica RENO/SPORT 03/07 – 16/07 14 18+

VSS09 VILLAGE WITH THE VIEW, Sicevo RENO 05/07 – 16/07 10 18+

VSS10 VILLAGE GAMES WITHOUT BORDERS,

Bikovo SOCI/FEST 05/07 – 19/07 10 18+

VSS11 NEW AGE CREATIVITY, Krusevac RENO/CULT 10/07 – 22/07 10 18+

VSS12 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER II, Belgrade ELDE 10/07 – 28/07 10 18+

VSS13 EXTREME VOLUNTEERING, Uzice ENVI 13/07 – 24/07 10 18+

VSS14 ART4DIVERSITY II, Donja Toponica TEEN/ART 15/07 – 27/07 16 15–17

VSS15 UPCYCLE! UPGRADE! UNDERSTAND!,

Backi Petrovac ENVI/RENO 15/07 – 27/07 10 18+

VSS16 ABORETUM, Sremski Karlovci RENO/CULT 17/07 – 31/07 10 18+

VSS17 WETLANDS CONSERVATION,

Sremski Karlovci ENVI 17/07 – 31/07 10 18+

VSS18 BLOOMING OF THE TISA, Titel ENVI 18/07 – 29/07 10 18+

VSS19 STORIES BY THE LAKE, Deliblato ENVI 22/07 – 04/08 12 18+

VSS20 VOLUNTEERING ON 2 WHEELS, Ruski

Krstur RENO 24/07 – 05/08 10 18+

VSS21 VOLUNTEERS FOR INCLUSION,

Sombor

SOCI/RENO/

MANU 31/07 – 13/08 10 18+

VSS22 FEEL THE BEAT OF THE MOUNTAIN,

Valjevo ENVI/FEST 08/08 – 20/08 12 18+

VSS23 ARTOPOLIS I – SOUNDING, Kosjeric ART 27/07 – 10/08 10 18+

VSS24 ARTOPOLIS II – MURAL AND ART OF

GRAFFITI, Kosjeric ART 27/07 – 10/08 10 18+

VSS25 ARTOPOLIS III – PHYSICAL THEATRE,

Kosjeric ART 27/07 – 10/08 10 18+

VSS26 INFO RALLY, Nis CULT 31/07 – 11/08 10 18+

VSS27 SCOUTING AROUND!, Zajecar CONS

31/07 – 11/08 10 18+

VSS28 REbicycle, Pancevo RENO/ENVI 01/08 – 14/08 12 18+

28 years of workcamp tradition in Serbia

Young Researchers of Serbia/Voluntary Service of Serbia

• the oldest nature protected area of Europe - Obedska Bara (VSS36)

• the last remaining desert in Europe - Deliblato Sands (VSS19)

• Medieval Fortress where the Danube is the widest and deepest - Golubac

(VSS32)

• Little Yugoslavia - a Yugo-nostalgic experience (VSS35)

• the oldest urban settlement in Europe dating 8.5 millenniums back to the

Stone Age - Lepenski Vir (VSS32)

• Workcamps & Scouts working together (VSS27)

• bike repairing, sustainable transport promotion and bike tournaments for

biped lovers (VSS13,20,28)

• learning about forced migrations through Serbia and how to be a part of

the solution (VSS21)

• the coolest elderly people of Belgrade (VSS02,12,30)

• village games without borders (VSS10)

• archeological and conservation work on the 16th century fortress (VSS38)

• reviving abandoned buildings with new age creativity (VSS11)

• art festivals where volunteers are protagonists (VSS23,24,25)

and much more in 38 workcamps in Serbia this summer

VSS29 ENERGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS,

Obrenovac RENO/ENVI 01/08 – 15/08 15 18+

VSS30 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER III, Belgrade ELDE 01/08 – 18/08 10 18+

VSS31 IT'S TIME FOR CAMP(ING)! Nis CONS/RENO 02/08 – 13/08 10 18+

VSS32 THE RURAL MURAL, Golubac RENO 04/08 – 18/08 15 18+

VSS33 MORIEK – PICNIC TIME!, Bor RENO 08/08 – 22/08 10 18+

VSS34 CULTURAL RENOVATION, Jazak ENVI/CONS 08/08 – 19/08 12 18+

VSS35 LITTLE YUGOSLAVIA, Subotica RENO/ENVI/

CULT 09/08 – 24/08 12 18+

VSS36 BIRDS’ ELDORADO - OBEDSKA BARA,

Pecinci ENVI 20/08 – 02/09 12 18+

VSS37 LUDAS THE SWAN LAKE II, Hajdukovo ENVI 03/09 – 16/09 10 18+

VSS38 OTTOMAN TALES, Kupinovo ARCH/MANU 10/09 – 23/09 10 18+

VSS39 ANCIENT ROME FEST,

Sremski Karlovci CULT

13 days in mid-

September 10 18+

VSS01 VILLAGIZATION!, Kanjiza

Type: MANU/RENO/CONS

Dates: 19/04 – 30/04

Number of volunteers: 10

Age limit: 18+

Partner: Local Democracy Agency - LDA Subotica is a non-profit organization

with the aim of fostering good governance and active participation through

cross-sectoral partnerships, for sustainable and inclusive local development.

Enhancing the culture of participation and civil dialogue at local level,

supporting youth activism and volunteering as well as promoting intercultural

dialogue and regional cooperation are our main types of activities, including

also networking at regional and European level.

Project: The voluntary workcamp is a part of the local community’s rural tourism

development plan, implemented in Totovo village. The volunteers will contribute

to the work in progress in this rural community, which has an ambition to improve

the tourist offer and further utilize the natural and cultural heritage, by engaging

all the community members. Work of the volunteers will therefore represent an

added value and a new way of contributing to the sustainable local

development.

The volunteers will be in charge of cleaning and greening of a mini "skansen"

(open-air museum) and an arboretum (botanical garden), arranging

appropriate green areas in the village, and assisting in the construction of the

Danube river model, as one of the future tourist attractions of the village. The

work will also include assistance in refurbishing the old local school which will be

transformed into the School Museum and the House of traditional crafts. The

tasks will generally include preparing the area for planting and planting of trees,

lawn mowing, cleaning the terrain, construction and painting.

Accommodation and food: Accommodation will be provided in the Youth

Centre equipped with beds, bathrooms with showers and a kitchen. Sleeping

bags are not required. Meals will be provided by the organizers. The volunteers

will also have the opportunity to prepare meals by themselves with the available

groceries, so to share their favourite meals.

Location and leisure: Totovo village is a village in the Municipality of Kanjiza, in

the northern Serbia, the region of Vojvodina, approx. 30 km from the Hungarian

border and about 200 km from Belgrade. This rural community, known for its long

tradition in farming, is continuously developing in rural tourism, which is initiated

by the local community and based on the preservation of their natural heritage.

During leisure time the volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in

creative workshops of traditional handicrafts, enjoy birds watching and horse

riding. Also, a field trip to the nearby Tisa River and the City of Subotica will be

organized.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Budapest (HUN)

Train station: Subotica

VSS02 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER I, Belgrade

Type: RENO/SOCI/ELDE

Dates: 24/04 – 06/05


Age limit: 18+

Partner: In 2016 the Gerontological Center of Belgrade hosted its first workcamp

although it wasn’t the first project organised with the volunteers. The results were

wonderful and both residents and the volunteers were satisfied and motivated

to repeat similar experience. With this notion, it is our pleasure to invite you to

join us at another workcamp with this wonderful group of people.

NOTE: These are probably the coolest elderly people in Belgrade! Take a look at

their surprising calendar for 2017 at http://www.blic.rs/galerija/naslovna/deke-i-

bake-kao-tinejdzeri-korisnici-gerontoloskog-centra-beograd-vole-sve-sto-

vole/rb3867e. The center hosts close to 600 residents and it is the largest in the

country and one of the largest in Europe. The Center is built according to

modern building standards and it employs professional staff to take care of the

residents and create an atmosphere of free and solidary community life. The

idea for the organization and implementation of the international volunteer

workcamps arises as a need for assistance in improving the quality of life of the

residents.

Work: The volunteers will be working with elderly people, residents of the elder

care center “Bezanijska kosa”, which is a part of the Gerontological Center of

Belgrade. They will participate in creative workshops with residents, planed with

professionals. Besides that, they will maintain the garden (planting flowers,

cutting grass and cleaning paths in yards), enjoy walks with the residents,

spending quality time with them.

Accommodation and food: The volunteers will be accommodated in four-bed

rooms of the Center (sleeping bags are not required), with toilets and showers.

Meals will be shared with the Centre residents.

Location and leisure: The area of Bezanijska kosa is in a quiet part of the city of

Belgrade and belongs to New Belgrade municipality. There will be an excursion

organized to important places of cultural and historical heritage of Belgrade.

The volunteers will have a workshop with the centre’s employees about

communication with elderly people and meeting their needs.

Requirements: The volunteers should be motivated for work with elderly people

and send a project related motivation letter at the time of application.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/bus station: Belgrade

VSS03 INTERACTIVE PARK, Kragujevac

Type: RENO/MANU

Dates: 28/04 – 07/05


Age limit: 18+

Partner: This workcamp is organized by the NGOs “Sunce” and “Interaktiv” from

Kragujevac, the regional contact point for the promotion and organization of

workcamps of Young Researchers of Serbia. The Association “Interaktiv”

organizes workcamps since 2013. So far, four camps were organized, with the

participation of more than 40 foreign and 30 local volunteers. The association is

engaged in the development of youth activism and volunteering in its region.

Work: Veliki Park (The Big Park) is located in the centre of Kragujevac and is the

favourite place of leisure for all generations. Due to harsh winter weather

conditions and its popularity, the park needs to be renovated. The volunteers will

work on marking the traffic safety educational signs in the park, painting

benches of the outdoor classroom, painting tennis tables and writing eco

messages on the boards, collecting garbage and old leaves. Traffic safety

classes are one of the most popular activities in the Park, as these classes allow

children to learn about traffic safety in a fun and interesting way. The 6th of May

Kragujevac celebrates the day of the city and the volunteers will give support to

the children's festival.

Accommodation and food: Volunteers will be accommodated in a fully

equipped house. They will cook in teams of two volunteers with ingredients

provided by hosts.

Location and leisure: Kragujevac is located in the region called Sumadija, in the

Central Serbia, situated on the banks of the Lepenica River. It is the fourth

biggest city in Serbia, the administrative centre of the Sumadija District. On the

1st of - International Labour Day, a picnic trip will be organized on the Lake

Sumarice. The 6th of May is the City Day of Kragujevac and the municipality

organizes various events, carnivals and concerts. We will enjoy acivity tour, visits

to museums and other places of interest. A workshop on volunteering and

environmental protection will be organized as well.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Nis

Train/Bus station: Kragujevac

VSS04 IN SEARCH OF AZBUKA, Trsic

Type: ENVI/RENO

Dates: 03/05 – 13/05


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Association "Svetionik" has been successfully working since 2000 in its

region. The activities of the organization are: support to young people, social

policy and community development. We support youth activism and youth

projects. More than 5000 young people have implemented their own, very

different and creative ideas which improve the situation of young people in their

communities.

Work: This workcamp will be organized as a joint initiative of several partner

organizations with the aim of promoting the spirit of volunteerism, environmental

protection and the development of rural and eco-tourism. He volunteers will

work on renovation of an outdoor gym as well as a small trim trail in Loznica. The

work involves brushing and painting the installations. They will also clean a few

public spaces: 2 walking paths in the memorable village Trsic, the area around

the monastery Tronosa and the area around the monument on the mountain

Gucevo. The work includes collection and separation of garbage for recycling

and designing, constructing and placing wooden boards with environmental

friendly messages.

Accommodation and food: Accommodation and meals will be provided in the

guest house "Cuvarkuca" in the village Trsic with beds, bathrooms with showers,

restaurant and a kitchen. Sleeping bags are not necessary.

Location and leisure: Trsic is a village in Western Serbia, famous as the birthplace

of Vuk Karadzic, the reformist of the Serbian language. The historical part of the

village is under the protection of the state and it is the most visited open air

museum in Serbia. There is the Vuk's birth house, the Museum of languages and

scripts, an outdoor amphitheatre, the House of writers, a gallery and a number

of buildings of traditional architecture, characteristic for the 19th century. Beside

its cultural heritage, Trsic is surrounded by beautiful hills, forests, streams,

meadows and it is a place very much visited by tourists.

The participants can enjoy the sights of the village Trsic, an excursion will be

organized to nearby sights, as well as workshops on photography, Serbian

traditional dances (kolo) and cooking of the traditional food.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Bus station: Loznica

VSS06 ART4DIVERSITY I, Donja Toponica

Type: TEEN/ART

Dates: 24/06 - 06/07


Age limit: 15 – 17

Partner: The local partner organization “Grupa Kobra” has put a lot of effort in

the past years in developing and improving life conditions of its small community

concerning its environmental protection and encouraging youth activism in this

rural area. It is a group of 11 young people that got active since 2007, when

they realized that if they do not do something for their village and for

themselves, no one will. Although young, they received twice an award for their

activities from the Ministry for Youth. It has been eight years that they organize

international workcamps with the aim to familiarize the local young people with

their peers from other countries as they do not have opportunities to travel. It is

simply phenomenal, but during the workcamp, 100% of the local community (all

350 of them) get involved in one way or another, whether is for working with the

volunteers, baking pies, organizing excursions, or simply hanging out or

welcoming the volunteers at the station.

In the past workcamps they turned an illegal dump into a children’s park, they

created a small resort with a beach volleyball terrain, reconstructed and

repaired an abandoned cultural center. Gatherings and activities together with

the local youth are essential to this workcamp, the hosts would use the

opportunity to present their local community, tradition and customs and,

together with the participants of the camp, to encourage rural development,

youth mobility and intercultural understanding. This will be 9th international work

camp in Donja Toponica.

Work: There will be different art workshops on the subjects of tolerance, equality

and differences. Using their creativity through drawing posters, making photos

and making videos they will cover issues related to the “No hate speech”

campaign and promote the equal opportunities for everyone without

discrimination. We want to trigger about respect and understanding between

participants in the camp and between participants and local youth. After the

camp the volunteers will be the ambassadors that disseminate the importance

of this idea further in their circles. Participants will learn on the subject of

differences in general. They will create posters and a video that will be used for

the promotion of the idea off the “No hate speech”, about understanding and

valuing diversity. Finally, they will prepare the exhibition of their work.

Accommodation and food: Participants will be accommodated in a local

public building that has been renovated by the hosting organization and turned

into a local cultural centre. They will sleep on mattresses and in sleeping bags

(no need to bring). Food will be prepared by the host. In the Cultural Centre

there are kitchen, three toilets, a shower and one hall for leisure time. It is

located in the centre of the village of Donja Toponica, next to the bus station.

Location and leisure: Donja Toponica (15 km from Nis) is a village of merely 350

inhabitants, situated very close to Nis, one of the biggest cities of Serbia. There

will be organized a visit to the historical sites in the city of Nis (the birth place of

the Constantine the Great) and an excursion to the countryside, to our local

partner Zoo Planet and their animals and they will have a chance to ride a

horse if they want. It will be possible to spend one entire day for sport or other

activities with local youth according to the preferences of the participants.

Requirements: It is expected from participants to be creative and team players

and to bring their smart mobile phones or photo cameras for the part of making

photos and videos. It is possible to have vegetarian meals. They should be

nature and village lovers.

Participation fee: 120 EUR used for obtaining qualified coordinators for teen

groups.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Nis, Sofia (BGR)

Train/Bus station: Nis

VSS07 LUDAS THE SWAN LAKE I, Hajdukovo

Type: ENVI

Dates: 02/07 - 15/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Public enterprise Palic-Ludas, the manager of the nature protected

area organizes this workcamp in the last 16 years.

Work: The Special Nature Reserve Ludas Lake is one of the oldest protected

areas in the world, known as wetlands of international importance as well as an

ornithological reserve. The lake has rich bird fauna consisting of 214 recorded

species, 140 of which are protected as natural rarities. They represent an

essential feature of this valuable reserve for Serbia and Europe. Ludas Lake is the

habitat of many endangered species, and is also an important station for

migratory bird species. The volunteer activities will mainly focus on the

revitalization of areas: cutting and removal of invasive plant species that

threaten the natural habitat; repairing of educational paths in the woods of

Ludas and Selevenjska; taking part in mowing and maintenance of steppe

meadows at the Ludas Visitors’ Center; repairing the facade of the Fishermen's

Huts. These activities are carried out as measures of active protection of nature

in order to preserve habitats, as well as the maintenance of the site’s

infrastructure. Volunteers interested in projects related to the village and nature

conservation are more than welcome.

Accommodation and food: In small houses, so-called research stations, in the

attic with sleeping mattresses, male and female toilets and showers. Bed sheets

will be provided but volunteers can bring their sleeping bag. Lunch and dinner

will be served in a restaurant, and breakfast will be prepared by participants,

from the food provided by the hosts.

Location and leisure: Hajdukovo and Ludasko Lake are 12km from Subotica, in

the far north of Serbia. The free time is planned for various activities like birds

watching, boating on the lake, as well as the education of participants in

relation to the conservation of biological and landscape diversity, ecological

corridors and other habitats of importance for nature conservation.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Subotica

VSS08 TONIGHT WE PROWDLY PRESENT, Omoljica

Type: RENO/SPORT

Dates: 03/07 - 16/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The Youth Association "Sunflower" was founded in 2013 with the aim to

promote youth activism, volunteering, culture, sport and education and has so

far organized three workcamps to improve the quality of life of young people in

the village.

Work: This year volunteers will renovate 10 sport fields and playgrounds in

Omoljica. The work consists of sanding and painting the existing exercise

constructions, marking sport fields as well as repairing benches and garbage

bins. The participants will organize joint sport competitions involving the local

community. A high number of young people from the local community will take

part in the work and sport activities.

Accommodation and food: The volunteers will be accommodated in the school

which is located in the center of Omoljica. The volunteers should bring their own

sleeping bags. Within the school there is a kitchen with all necessary equipment

as well as showers and toilets. Meals will be prepared by volunteers, food will be

provided by the organizers of the camp.

Location and leisure: Omoljica is a village of about 6300 inhabitants and is

located in the north of Serbia, 16km from Pancevo and about 30km from

Belgrade. It is surrounded by parks, rivers, lakes, and there is also a mineral spring

with temperatures above 37 ° C. In free time the host will organize a trip to

Pancevo, the Danube and a recycling factory. Various workshops, such as

traditional sewing techniques and folklore, film evenings and socializing with the

local community will be organized.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Timisoara (ROM)

Closest city: Pancevo

Notes: It is desirable that volunteers have an interest in sports

VSS09 VILLAGE WITH THE VIEW, Sicevo

Type: RENO

Dates: 05/07 - 16/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The Youth Association "Klisura" was created as an initiative of young

people and enthusiasts who want to make Sicevo a better place for living, by

supporting agriculture, sports, rural tourism and by motivating young people to

remain living in the countryside instead of moving to bigger towns and cities.

They organize cultural and sport events, renovate parks and hiking trails. This is

the second time they organize workcamps in order to draw the attention of the

locals on the importance of preserving the environment and creating conditions

for sustainable development of rural tourism.

Work: The volunteers will do a little renovation work in the village and on

improving its infrastructure: the park and small sport complexes will be

renovated and a panoramic podium over the great view of the surrounding will

be made. The volunteers will also clean the landfill and dig 2 canals for draining

stagnant water. They will also prepare, paint and set up a wooden welcoming

board and the map of the village. The work consists of brushing and painting

metal constructions, work with wooden materials (not on scales and only with

hand tools), cutting grass and bushes. We expect significant participation of

local volunteers for work and socializing, as they are eager to meet the

international volunteers!

Accommodation and food: In the local school, 500m from the workplace, with

toilets and showers and real beds. No need for sleeping bags. The volunteers will

prepare meals from ingredients that will be provided by the host and some

eager locals already can’t wait to share their specialities!

Location and leisure: Sicevo is a small village located in the Sicevo Gorge, the

area of outstanding natural beauty. It is surrounded by many monuments,

springs and gardens, as well as the Sicevo cave with remains of the Neanderthal

man. The World Cup in paragliding was organized in Sicevo in 2005, so imagine

the surroundings! Sicevo is located near the city of Nis in the South-East Serbia.

During free time excursions will be organized to important natural, cultural and

historic sites, as well as lectures about survival in nature and the vast use of

plants from nature.

Language: English

Airport: Nis, Belgrade, Sofia (BUL)


VSS10 VILLAGE GAMES WITHOUT BORDERS, Bikovo

Type: SOCI/FEST

Dates: 05/07 - 19/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The local association "Bikovo" organizes this workcamp for the 2nd time.

Work: The summer festival "Village games without borders" are going to be

organized for the ninth time, and since last year the participation of foreign

volunteers has been giving international character to the Games. The volunteers

will contribute to the idea of the host to increase the quality of life to the village

inhabitants with this festival and to show how little is needed to have a full and

fun summer in the village. The international volunteers will give an added value

to this rural event. The tasks will be linked with to the technical support of the

whole manifestation: renewing old and making some new

equipment/installations for the games, cutting grass and cleaning the park

where the games are going to be held, making and setting up garbage cans

and share promotional flyers for the Village Games. In addition to supporting the

Village Games, with the help of the locals the volunteers will work on setting up

two houses for the village vulnerable families. The volunteers should expect

manual work, cleaning, painting and work with hand tools.

Accommodation and food: The accommodation will be at a farm on the

outskirts of the village Bovine, 500m from the village center. The Farm is an

authentic old agricultural estate, a real monument of “the old times”, with a big

yard, garden and summer houses, workshops, etc. The volunteers should be

prepared for basic living conditions, outside toilet and solar shower, but there

are real beds inside to sleep on. It is necessary to bring a sleeping bag.

Participants will prepare breakfast and dinner by themselves while lunch will be

prepared by the local households in the manner of this village customs.

Vegetarian and vegan food will be provided upon request.

Location and leisure: Bikovo is a close to Subotica in North Serbia (near the

border with Hungary). It has 1,487 inhabitants, mostly Croats, Serbs, Hungarians

and Bunjevac. The local population is mainly engaged in agriculture or

employed in Subotica. The volunteers will be one of the participating teams in

the Games. The volunteers will participate in a workshop on knitting, a lecture

about traditional culture of the local area and Serbia. In free time the volunteers

will enjoy the daily summer life with the locals. Visits to Subotica and the

International Palic film festival are going to be organized, as well as horse riding

with the help of an instructor.

Language: English



VSS11 NEW AGE CREATIVITY, Krusevac

Type: RENO/CULT

Dates: 10/07 - 22/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Association "Fakiri sa juga" is a non-profit organization based in

Krusevac, engaged in activities to promote art and culture for young people,

which, by the words of this organisation Krusevac is greatly lacking.

Work: The aim of this project is to enable the Alternative Cultural Center which

will, in the spirit of the times in which we live, enable creative activity of young

people, show the ways in which computers, projectors, lighting and other

modern media can help young people discover and use their creative potential

and meet the requirements of modern audience. The local municipality office

in Bivolje supported our initiative and ceded an abandoned building for the

project. The workcamp will bring together young people from different countries

to exchange ideas and work together on the renovation of the building that will

become a place for creative activities of young people. The volunteers will help

clearing the ground that belongs to the building (cutting grass, branches and

bushes, cleaning garbage) and comes all the way down to the river, do minor

repairs of the facade, paint woodwork, interior walls as well as repairing and

redesigning old furniture.

Accommodation and food: The volunteers will be accommodated in a house,

the social center for young people, with kitchen and common toilets and

bathrooms, in double rooms. It is necessary to bring a sleeping bag. The

volunteers will independently prepare meals from food that will be provided by

the organizer. The house is located near the workplace.

Location and leisure: Krusevac is a city located in Central Serbia, on the river

Rasina and has about 75,000 residents. In the Middle Ages, it was the capital of

Serbia. One day of the workcamp will be reserved for visiting nearby locations:

Lake Celije and Jastrebac Mountain. Participants will have the opportunity to

learn about the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city of Krusevac. We

will hold discussions and workshops on the possibilities of abandoned spaces

converted into useful ones.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Krusevac

VSS12 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER II, Belgrade

Type: ELDE

Dates: 10/07 - 28/07


Age limit: 18+















residents.








rooms of the Center (sleeping bags are not required), with toilets and showers.

Meals will be shared with the Center residents.

Location and leisure: The area of Bezanijska kosa is in a quiet part of the city of







Language: English

Airport: Belgrade


VSS13 EXTREME VOLUNTEERING, Uzice

Type: ENVI

Date: 13/07 - 24/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Guide Association “Kapedunum” http://www.kapedunum.rs/ organises

this workcamp for the first time and they are very enthusiastic!

Work: Surrounded by picturesque nature and the river canyon Djetinja,

numerous bikes and walking trails, the town of Uzice is increasingly visited by

environmentally conscious tourists, nature lovers and young travellers who want

to explore small towns in Serbia. The volunteers will help organizing competitions

in mountain biking on Tornik, a famous ski center on the mountain Zlatibor,

prepare the bike path with the help of local volunteers (remove rocks, mark

signs, fix obstacles), and take photos of the race. They will help build a hiking trail

through the Djetinja gorge by clearing debris away and superfluous vegetation.

We expect the locals to get involved too, as they have already started asking

about you, our international volunteers!

Accommodation and food: The hostel in a 4-bed rooms with shared toilets and

showers. The volunteers will prepare meals from food that will be provided by

the organizer.

Location and leisure: The city of Uzice in western Serbia is geographically

located in the middle of the world famous tourist attractions such as Mokra

Gora, Drvengrad, the National Park Tara, Zlatibor, Sirogojno, Drina River House

etc. The city is just the step away from the untouched nature and is ideal for an

active vacation, cycling, paragliding, climbing etc. Uzice has significant cultural

and historical heritage, starting from its mention in the writings of Dubrovnik from

the 14th century whose witness is a medieval fortification "Stari Grad" which still

stands on the hillside of the city, offering outstanding views over the city. There is

the first hydropower plant in Europe and the second in the world, built by Tesla's

principles. Probably the most famous historical value of the city is The Uzice

Republic is - the first liberated territory in the World War II. Guided excursions will

be organized to the natural, cultural and historical sites of Uzice. The volunteers

will also participate in workshops on the topic of environmental protection.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Uzice

Special Remarks: Volunteers should bring their own camera.

VSS14 ART4DIVERSITY II, Donja Toponica

Type: TEEN/ART

Dates: 15/07 - 27/07


Age limit: 15 – 17

Partner: The local partner organization “Grupa Kobra” has put a lot of effort in

the past years in developing and improving life conditions of its small community

concerning its environmental protection and encouraging youth activism in this

rural area. It is a group of 11 young people that got active since 2007, when

they realized that if they do not do something for their village and for

themselves, no one will. Although young, they received twice an award for their

activities from the Ministry for Youth. It has been eight years that they organize

international workcamps with the aim to familiarize the local young people with

their peers from other countries as they do not have opportunities to travel. It is

simply phenomenal, but during the workcamp, 100% of the local community (all

350 of them) get involved in one way or another, whether is for working with the

volunteers, baking pies, organizing excursions, or simply hanging out or

welcoming the volunteers at the station.

In the past workcamps they turned an illegal dump into a children’s park, they

created a small resort with a beach volleyball terrain, reconstructed and

repaired an abandoned cultural center. Gatherings and activities together with

the local youth are essential to this workcamp, the hosts would use the

opportunity to present their local community, tradition and customs and,

together with the participants of the camp, to encourage rural development,

youth mobility and intercultural understanding. This will be 9th international work

camp in Donja Toponica.

Work: There will be different art workshops on the subjects of tolerance, equality

and differences. Using their creativity through drawing posters, making photos

and making videos they will cover issues related to the “No hate speech”

campaign and promote the equal opportunities for everyone without

discrimination. We want to trigger about respect and understanding between

participants in the camp and between participants and local youth. After the

camp the volunteers will be the ambassadors that disseminate the importance

of this idea further in their circles. Participants will learn on the subject of

differences in general. They will create posters and a video that will be used for

the promotion of the idea off the “No hate speech”, about understanding and

valuing diversity. Finally, they will prepare the exhibition of their work.

Accommodation and food: Participants will be accommodated in a local

public building that has been renovated by the hosting organization and turned

into a local cultural centre. They will sleep on mattresses and in sleeping bags

(no need to bring). Food will be prepared by the host. In the Cultural Centre

there are kitchen, three toilets, a shower and one hall for leisure time. It is

located in the centre of the village of Donja Toponica, next to the bus station.

Location and leisure: Donja Toponica (15 km from Nis) is a village of merely 350

inhabitants, situated very close to Nis, one of the biggest cities of Serbia. There

will be organized a visit to the historical sites in the city of Nis (the birth place of

the Constantine the Great) and an excursion to the countryside, to our local

partner Zoo Planet and their animals and they will have a chance to ride a

horse if they want. It will be possible to spend one entire day for sport or other

activities with local youth according to the preferences of the participants.

Requirements: It is expected from participants to be creative and team players

and to bring their smart mobile phones or photo cameras for the part of making

photos and videos. It is possible to have vegetarian meals. They should be

nature and village lovers.

Participation fee: 120 EUR used for obtaining qualified coordinators for teen

groups.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Nis, Sofia (BGR)


VSS15 UPCYCLE! UPGRADE! UNDERSTAND!, Backi Petrovac

Type: ENVI/RENO

Dates: 15/07 - 27/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: "YMCA Serbia" is an organization dedicated to work with children and

young people (between 8 and 30 years old). Our goal is to support personal

development of children and young people by organizing activities for their

leisure time, enabling them to live better and more fulfilling lives. This will be the

second time we organise workcamps.

Work: This workcamp will be a tempting option for the volunteers and the local

young people to, apart from manual work, engage themselves in a creative

sense. We will continue the work started last year and includes collection of

garbage, cleaning and arrangement of green spaces (parks, ponds, gardens),

painting, repairing and making furniture from the used material (wooden pallets)

as well as renovation work of the Youth Centre.

Accommodation and food: The volunteers will be accommodated in the

premises of the Tourist Organization of Backi Petrovac, within a 10-min walk from

the youth centre where most of the work and activities will take place. Sleeping

in real beds (sheets and pillows provided). The kitchen, toilets and showers are

provided at the venue. The volunteers will prepare their own meals from food

that will be provided by the organizer, so to share their favourite meals with their

new friends and learn about cuisines of other countries.

Leisure time: Backi Petrovac is a small town in Vojvodina, situated 25km from

Novi Sad. It is a typical agriculture town in Vojvodina, more than 260 years old,

known for its Slovak traditions. An excursion to Novi Sad is going to be organized.

Various lectures and workshops on topics of local culture and history, as well as

environmental protection are planned.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Novi Sad, Backi Petrovac

VSS16 ABORETUM, Sremski Karlovci

Type: RENO/CULT

Dates: 17/07- 31/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Vojvodina Environmental Movement (VEM) is one of the contact points

of YRS–VSS involved in sending and hosting volunteers for more than 7 years

now. VEM is a non–governmental organization that aims at the creation of

sustainable communities, by working on development of environmental

protection, ecotourism, youth and volunteer programmes.

Work: The aim of the international volunteer workcamp 'Arboretum' is to

increase awareness of the cultural, historical and educational significance of

the natural monument „Dvorska basta” through improving its infrastructure and

implementing educational tours of the same. The volunteers will participate in

renovating and painting wooden benches, wooden bridge, removing coarse

waste and the undue plant material from the stream. They will also help with

delivering of educational walks for local residents and their animation. Local

volunteers will also take part in the work. “Dvorska basta” translates to “The

Court’s Garden” and it used to be a botanical garden.

Accommodation and food: The first part of the workcamp, the volunteers will be

accommodated in a youth center “Eco Center Radulovacki”

(ekoloskicentar.org), with beds (sheets and pillows), shared bathrooms, working

spaces and Wi–Fi included.

Location and leisure: Sremski Karlovci is situated on the slopes of the Fruska Gora

mountain, just by the river Danube, in the region of Vojvodina, North Serbia. It is

a small, picturesque town with rich past and represents the centre of the Serbian

culture and history. It is the place of the oldest Serbian high school and the

oldest Serbian theological school, together with the Chappell of Peace (place

of peace treaty between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy alliance, famous for

the first usage of the “round table” in history). During the leisure time we can

offer guided tours around the town and Novi Sad, the second largest city in

Serbia. During the workcamp, workshops on the history and dendroflora of

“Dvorska basta'' as well as different methods of animating the visitors are going

to be held.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci

VSS17 WETLANDS CONSERVATION, Sremski Karlovci Type: ENVI

Dates: 17/07- 31/07


Age limit: 18+


of YRS–VSS involved in sending and hosting volunteers for more than 7 years

now. VEM is a non–governmental organization that aims at the creation of

sustainable communities, by working on development of environmental

protection, ecotourism, youth and volunteer programmes.

Work: The aim of the workcamp is to enhance the ecotourism offer of Sremski

Karlovci, by developing the infrastructure for realization of ecotourism

programmes and increasing the visibility of areas within the special nature

reserve “Kovilj–Petrovaradin Wetlands”. The activities on the workcamp

contribute to raising awareness on the importance of conservation of special

nature reserves. This is the second year VEM is organizing “Wetlands

Conservation” workcamp.

The volunteers will work on two sites within “Kovilj–Petrovaradin Wetlands” – “Old

Danube” location, cutting and removing the invasive plants, creating walking

paths and cleaning the area, and “Kurjacka greda” location, painting the

wooden infrastructure, setting up educational materials.

Accommodation and food: The first part of the workcamp, the volunteers will be

accommodated in a youth center “Eco Center Radulovacki”

(ekoloskicentar.org), with beds (sheets and pillows), shared bathrooms, working

spaces and Wi–Fi included. Lunch will be served in a restaurant, while breakfast

and dinner will be prepared by volunteers in the center. The second part of the

workcamp, participants will be accommodated in the wetlands, near the town.

Tents, sleeping bags and mats will be provided. There is a wooden cottage for

storing food and other necessary things that should be kept under key. There will

be also equipment for preparing food (breakfast and dinner will be prepared by

volunteers, while lunch will be brought by the organizer).

Location and leisure: Sremski Karlovci is situated on the slopes of the Fruska Gora

mountain, just by the river Danube, in the region of Vojvodina, North Serbia. It is

a small, picturesque town with rich past and represents the centre of the Serbian

culture and history. It is the place of the oldest Serbian high school and the

oldest Serbian theological school, together with the Chappell of Peace (place

of peace treaty between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy alliance, famous for

the first usage of the “round table” in history). During the leisure time we can

offer guided tours around the town, hikes to the Fruska Gora mountain and a

visit to Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia.

During the workcamp, participants will gain knowledge about biodiversity of

'“Kovilj–Petrovatadin Wetlands”, through workshops about the flora and fauna

of the nature reserve. In addition, they will acquire practical skills to maintain the

potential of ecotourism sites. They will have the opportunity to participate in

workshops on the concepts of sustainable development, protection from fire

and floods, and first aid.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci

Special remarks: The volunteers should be prepared to work outdoors, and stay-

in-the-nature part of the workcamp (from 3 to 5 days, depending on weather

conditions)

VSS18 BLOOMING OF THE TISA, Titel

Type: ENVI

Dates: 18/07 – 29/07


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The public enterprise “Titelski breg” coordinates and directs activities for

the protection and maintenance of natural and cultural resources of the special

nature reserve “Titelski breg”, organizes and organizes events to promote its

natural, cultural and tourism potential. This is the third year that workcamps are

organized there, as a part of the reserve conservation.

Work: The volunteers will be working on the revitalization of the reserve: cutting

and removal of invasive species, waste disposal, production and installation of

birdhouses and info boards (using hand tools), photographing and preparation

of internet presentations or the nature reserve “Titelski Breg”. One joint activity

will be organized with the local community of Titel.

Accommodation and food: In the premises of the public enterprise “Titelski

Breg”, sleeping on mattresses, so bring your sleeping bag. Rooms are equipped

with toilets. Solar showers will be installed. Volunteers will prepare their own

meals from food that will be provided by the organizer.

Location and leisure time: Titelski breg is the loess plateau that extends for 18km

in the province of Vojvodina, in Northern Serbia. It is located near the Tisa river

and the town of Titel. Even if the altitude of the “breg” (eng. hill) is only 128m, as

Vojvodina is the biggest European plain, when standing on the top of the hill,

one has a feeling of standing on an island overlooking the sea. Titel’s

confluence of two rivers and the vast surrounding green leave a deep

impression.

Excursions by boat on the river Tisa will be organized. During free time, the

volunteers can stay at Titel’s beautiful beaches and the courts for beach

volleyball. Several workshops and lectures will be organized, for the volunteers to

gain basic knowledge of the location, Special Nature Reserve "Titelski breg" and

its national and international importance.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Novi Sad

VSS19 STORIES BY THE LAKE, Deliblato

Type: ENVI

Dates: 22/07 – 04/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The Sport Fishing Association “Deliblatsko Jezero”, a local NGO from

Deliblato is the manager of the Special Nature Reserve Kraljevac, with the

special initiative to engage youngsters and youth in the active nature

conservation. The Reserve was declared “the first category protected area of

greatest national importance” in 2009. The Sport Fishing Association “Deliblatsko

Jezero” protects its biodiversity, maintains order in the Reserve and organizes the

Park Ranger Service. This workcamp is going to be organized for the fifth time.

Work: This workcamp directly contributes to the sustainable tourism in the

Special Nature Reserve Kraljevac. The volunteers will reconstruct picnic areas,

construct the Eco trail (brushing and painting), cut and remove invasive plant

species, make two small bridges and rubbish bins with a help of professionals,

arrange the indoors and paint walls of the Visitors’ Center. The volunteers will

present the results of the workcamp to the general public at the Reserve Open

Day.

Accommodation and food: Accommodation will be provided in the Research

and Education Center of the Special Nature Reserve "Kraljevac“,

in twin rooms and 6-bed dorm with shared facilities (toilets, showers and kitchen)

in the Visitors’ Center. Sheets and pillows will be provided. The volunteers will

prepare meals, from the food that is going to be provided by the organizer.

Location and leisure: On the outskirts of Deliblatska Pescara (Deliblato sands, the

only remaining desert in Europe http://www.serbia.com/visit-serbia/natural-

beauties/unique-nature/deliblato-sands-the-european-sahara/), in the midst of

the Vojvodina plains, in the picturesque village of Deliblato, lies an oasis of

peace and tranquillity, the Special Nature Reserve Kraljevac. Lake Kraljevac

with its floating and permanently anchored islands, surrounding reed beds,

woodlands, meadows, and pastures supports a rich diversity of plant and animal

life. http://srpkraljevac.rs/en/2015/10/18/snr–kraljevac/

Volunteers in the Reserve can enjoy sport fishing and other leisure activities, such

as rowing and swimming in the clean and peaceful waters of Lake Kraljevac,

hiking, birdwatching, nature photography, painting, as well as sport fishing.

During the Eco camp two field trips will be organised, to the recently declared

protected area of meandering rivers Karas Nera situated at the border with

Romania and to the Special Nature Reserve Deliblatska Pescara, the largest

sand–steppe area in Europe.

During the workcamp, series of workshops will be organised covering a variety of

environmental issues, nature conservation and basic carpentry techniques.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Belgrade, Pancevo

Special remarks: Volunteers should be prepared to work outdoors in all weather

conditions.

VSS20 VOLUNTEERING ON 2 WHEELS, Ruski Krstur

Type: RENO

Dates: 24/07 - 05/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The Tourist Association “Ruski Krstur” was founded in 2013 in order to

promote the touristic potential of the village. Seven associations joined their

work and activities in order to represent, enable and create the touristic profile

of the village Ruski Krstur.

Work: The aim of this workcamp is to improve and raise the quality of touristic

profile of the village. Volunteers will repair old bicycles, donated by the local

families to be used by tourists, guests and the associations in Ruski Krstur. The

work includes sanding and painting frames as well as mounting of new and used

parts on bikes. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to paint a bicycle in

their own design. Volunteers with basic skills in bicycle mechanical work would

be very useful in group. A significant number of young people from the village

will take part in the work, as they are already eager to host international

volunteers for several years in a row!


premises of the local Caritas, with a kitchen and common toilets. The showers

are in Youth centre, 50m away from accommodation. Sleeping will be on

mattresses, so bring your sleeping bag. Volunteers will prepare their own meals

from the food that will be provided by the organizer.

Location and leisure: Ruski Krstur is a village in the municipality of Kula. The

village is mostly inhabited by Ruthenians, who in this region have a centuries-old

tradition and the cultural center of the Ruthenian nationality in Serbia, in Ruski

Krstur. An excursion is going to be organized in consultation with the volunteers,

creative and educational workshops as well.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Novi Sad, Kula

VSS21 VOLUNTEERS FOR INCLUSION, Sombor

Type: SOCI/RENO/MANU

Dates: 31/07 – 13/08


Age limit: 18 +

Partner: IDC (Initiative for Development & Cooperation) is a group of enthusiasts

led by the principles of solidarity, active inclusion, equal rights, decent jobs and

satisfied people. These principles are integrated in all our programs and activities

which we continually keep on innovating. Among the many activities we do

mostly we work with vulnerable social groups who live below the poverty line,

and with them we are trying to fight for a greater social inclusion.

Work: During workcamp volunteers will go directly on the field and assist the

socially vulnerable households depending on their respective needs. The

workcamp volunteers will be raising awareness, promoting international

solidarity, peace, social inclusion, justice but also organizing quality time for

young people. The camp raises the questions, connects and turns the attention

to the two very important topics and matters in the world at the moment: social

vulnerability and poverty through the direct assistance to the priority families

which are socially vulnerable and topic of the refugees from the countries

affected by the wars in the Middle East by raising the awareness both at a

smaller scale – among the actual volunteers, but more importantly at a bigger

scale – raising the awareness of the local community in terms of the refugee

crisis. The working days will be spent doing the field activities which include the

renovation of parts of the houses, yard renovation, repairing furniture belonging

to the families, but also repairing and renovating second-hand furniture, all for

the future use of socially vulnerable households.

Accommodation and food: The volunteers will be accommodated in premises

of local school. Sleeping will be on mattresses. Sleeping bags are provided. The

volunteers will be cooking by themselves, with the kitchen at their disposal, as

well as the groceries for preparing all kinds of cuisines.

Location and leisure time: The volunteers will have the opportunity to learn

about the rich cultural and historical heritage of Sombor. One day is scheduled

for a joint excursion around Sombor. Sombor is located in the northwest of

Serbia’s northern province of Vojvodina, bordering Hungary to the North and

Croatia on the West, across the Danube River.

Several educational and creative workshops will be organised.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade, Osijek (CRO), Budapest (HUN)

Train/Bus station: Sombor

Special remarks: Participants are expected to be strongly motivated to work

with socially vulnerable population and migrants.

VSS22 FEEL THE BEAT OF THE MOUNTAIN, Valjevo

Type: ENVI/FEST

Dates: 08/08– 20/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: “Divcibare” association gathers young people who love Divcibare and

who volunteer to contribute in development of rural tourism of this region. This is

a young NGO, but its members have a very rich experience in organizing and

participating in workcamps. They want to give better recognition to and boost

tourism of Divcibare, the place of extraordinary beauty but not nearly known

and visited by tourists. We organize workcamps with the aim to promote touristic

potential of Divcibare and Maljen mountains.

Work: The volunteers will take part in various activities aimed at improving the

environment of Divcibare as well as developing new tourist facilities: marking of

hiking trails and preparing camping grounds for the guests of the non-profit

music festival which is going to be held in the last days of the workcamp. Before

the festival, the volunteers will design, build and set recycling bins. During the

festival volunteers will do waste sorting.

Accommodation and food: in a house, with real beds, but they should bring their

sleeping bag. Water, electricity, toilets and showers will be available as well as

a place for keeping valuable things and preparing food. Volunteers will cook

meals by themselves, with the food provided by the organiser, so to experience

different cuisines and try out their favourite home recipes!

Location and leisure: Divcibare is a famous touristic destination near the town of

Valjevo in Western Serbia, on the Maljen Mountain. It is located 38km south of

Valjevo and 107km from Belgrade. Divcibare is at 980m of altitude. See:

http://www.divcibare.org.rs/en/ Excursions will be organized in a way so the

volunteers will have an opportunity to meet Western Serbia from a point of view

of the locals. Volunteers can spend their free time hiking and cycling. They will

enjoy the daily summer life of the local community and know the authentic way

of life of generations of people who live on the mountain slopes of Maljen. A

meeting with scientists from the nearby Research Center "Petnica" will be

organized, as well as several workshops in cooperation with partner

organizations.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Valjevo

VSS23 ARTOPOLIS I – SOUNDING, Kosjeric

Type: ART

Dates: 27/07 – 10/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The idea of the Kosjeric Art Camp originated from The Club of Friendship

based at The Centre for Anti-War Action in Belgrade. The camp was deliberately

set outside the city of Belgrade in order to make a smaller local community

benefit from international inputs, but also to give a chance to international

participants to explore the capacities of a Serbian inner city and its surrounding

natural beauties. This will be the 14th year of art workcamp in Kosjeric.

http://artcamp.ktowngroup.org.rs

Work: The main concept of the Art Camp is to enable international young people to meet across the borders and share their artistic interests and skills, while rising of the life quality level in this local community especially through the

interaction with the local young people.

The idea for the music workshop is based on picture and sound interaction and

wider communication as well as possible collaboration with other workshops

that take place in Kosjeric camps (mural and graffiti and theatre workshop).

The work process will be separated into three phases:

a. Sound and spaces – participants would carry out music for the video

material that will be recorded in various localities.

b. Sound and movement – participants will make several improvisations

together with the theatre workshop that will take in hand stage movement.

c. Sound and colour – in cooperation with the mural workshop, the

volunteers will produce several compositions connected with mural and graffiti

that will be produced during the workcamp.

Accommodation and food: Accommodation is provided at private houses of

local families with the meals in some of the local restaurants.

Location and leisure: Kosjeric is a small town in the western part of Serbia (120

km south from Belgrade), well known for its beautiful nature. Thanks to its natural

features and well organized authentic rural tourist households, Kosjeric is one the

leading destinations of rural tourism in Serbia. Main agricultural activities of

Kosjeric are cattle-breeding and fruit production, so the whole area is abundant

in fruit orchards of extraordinary quality, around which livestock enjoy the

freedom to roam in the pastures.

One excursion will be organized. There will be a mini lecture on synthesis and

interaction among different kinds of art expressions.

Requirements: It is necessary to be able to play at least one instrument. Please

explain well in your motivation letter (https://istrazivaci.wufoo.eu/forms/kosjeric-

art-workcamp-application/) you should send together with the application form.

Participation fee: 30 euros. The extra fee is going to be used as support to the

camp budget to cover costs of materials for work.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Kosjeric

VSS24 ARTOPOLIS II – MURAL AND ART OF GRAFFITI, Kosjeric

Type: ART

Dates: 27/07 – 10/08


Age limit: 18+






natural beauties. This will be the 14th year of the art workcamp in Kosjeric.


Work: The main concept of the Art Camp is to enable international young

people to meet across the borders and share their artistic interests and skills,

while rising of the life quality level in this local community especially through the

interaction with the local young people. The workshop will consist of two groups,

organized around the idea of "street galleries". First group's task will be painting

murals and introducing innovations to the technical procedure of the wall

painting itself. The basic medium shall be acrylic façade paint; moreover,

interventions and experimenting with the third dimension are also sought after.

The overall goal of the second group is introducing new forms of expression and

graffiti art. An art that's been marginalized throughout decades and classified as

subculture gets its own legitimate place and recognition, through a

phenomenon of a "street gallery". Possible synthesis and collaboration between

these two groups is possible depending on ideas and agreement among

members. The participants will, according to their own affinities, decide

between 2 groups, where they will express their creativity to the full extent. The

first days will pass in getting acquainted with basics of mural painting and

graffiti, as well as in exchanging ideas among participants themselves. Apart

from the joint masterpiece, there is also a possibility of creating stencils, tags.



Location and leisure: Kosjeric is a small town in the western part of Serbia (120km

south from Belgrade), well known for its beautiful nature. Thanks to its natural








Requirements: Participants are expected to have at least basic art skills

(painting). Please explain well in your motivation letter

(https://istrazivaci.wufoo.eu/forms/kosjeric-art-workcamp-application/) you

should send together with the application form.



Language: English

Airport: Belgrade


VSS25 ARTOPOLIS III – PHYSICAL THEATRE, Kosjeric

Type: ART

Dates: 27/07 – 10/08


Age limit: 18+






natural beauties. This will be the 14th year of art workcamp in Kosjeric.


Work: The main concept of the Art Camp is to enable international young

people to meet across the borders and share their artistic interests and skills,

while rising of the life quality level in this local community especially through the

interaction with the local young people.

Physical Theatre is based on the search for the stage expression through

physical training and creative abilities, e.g. the concept of the group. Theatre

workshop is meant to integrate efforts of other workshops- sounding for music

and movement as well as the street art workshop for scenography.

The theatre workshop will seek inspiration in the stories of Kosjeric community-

local beliefs and customs, superstitions and legends.

The emphasis is based on group work, space perception and the use of space

as stage material, as well as on the use of the body as an instrument of

expression.

The physical training consists of coordination and stretching exercises, building

of stamina, working on contemporary dance techniques and choreography

units.

The work on the concept is dived into four steps:

1st step: imitation, improvisations, imagination

2nd step: communication, remembering

3rd step: organizing the production and directing

4th step: public presentation of the work

The project wants to trigger interaction between international volunteers, local

residents and space, as well as the intergroup communication and communal

production.



Location and leisure: Kosjeric is a small town in the western part of Serbia (120

km south from Belgrade), well known for its beautiful nature. Thanks to its natural








Requirements: The workshop is open to everyone interested in the above

mentioned ways of expression. Please explain well in your motivation letter

(https://istrazivaci.wufoo.eu/forms/kosjeric-art-workcamp-application/) you

should send together with the application form.



Language: English

Airport: Belgrade


VSS26 INFO RALLY, Nis

Type: CULT

Dates: 31/07 - 11/08


Age limit: 18+

Partners: The association "Green Key" exists since 2006 with the aim to preserve

and improve the environment on the principles of sustainable development. This

is the 2nd workcamp they organise.

Work: Nis is the third biggest city in Serbia and is becoming more popular as a

tourist destination but has a poor source of information (for example, there is no

info material nor even an info panel at the airport, which since recently has

become a point for low cost flights to/from Serbia). The aim of this workcamp is

to provide more quality information and better access to info materials for the

visitors of Nis. The volunteers will take and collect photo materials in order to

make brochures "Environmental guide for hikers" and "Photo tourist informator“.

They will also design the info boards "Tourism potential of the city of Nis," as well

as hiking and walking trails on the mountain Suva Planina. They will write

informative texts, translate in their native language sand post on social media.

Recorded materials will be used for organizing a final photo exhibition. One day

is planned to set up a mosaics in one of the public places in the city. Also, one

day is reserved for cleaning public places of waste together with the locals and

campaigning about responsible waste disposal.


elementary school in Nis, with the use of a kitchen, showers and toilets. Meals will

be prepared by the volunteers, from the food provided by the organizers, so you

could try out your favourite family recipes and learn what people from other

countries usually eat at their homes. Bring home-made recipes!

Location and leisure: Nis is the third biggest city in Serbia and the biggest city in

the South-Eastern part of the country. It is known as the birthplace of the Roman

Emperor Constantine. During its long history, it belonged to different empires and

countries which left it a rich cultural and historical heritage. In the free time, trips

and hiking in the vicinity of Nis will be organized.

During the workcamp, different debates are going to be held on the topics of:

tourism in places from which volunteers come, mobility of young people as well

as a lecture on the cultural heritage of the city of Nis and valorisation of natural

resources for development of sustainable tourism.

Language: English

Airport: Nis, Belgrade, Sofia (BGR)


Special Remarks: The volunteers should bring their own camera.

VSS27 SCOUTING AROUND!, Zajecar

Type: CONS

Dates: 31/07 - 11/08


Age: 18 +

Partner: The Scout organization “Djordje Simeonovic” and TOC – Timok Youth

Center, are non-political, non-profit, nongovernmental, civic society

organizations focused on the development of specific life skills in balance with

the nature, the affirmation of healthy lifestyles for young people, as well as the

fostering of cultural and ethical values of citizens and the society.

Work: The volunteers will continue with the activities started on our first

workcamp last year: making fences, gates, lookouts, fireplaces, amphitheatres

and the balcony around the scout’s home in the Park-forest “Kraljevica”. We will

use hand tools and natural materials, mostly stones and wood.

Accommodation and food: In the scout’s house in Park-forest “Kraljevica”, with

the use of the kitchen and bathrooms. You need to bring your sleeping bag and

a pillow cover. Meals will be organized by local hosts and there will be a

possibility for volunteers who want to make some dishes they particularly like

form their countries.

Location and leisure: Zajecar is placed in Eastern Serbia and it has a population

of around 40000 people. It is placed in a pit between 2 mountain arcs,

Carpathian and Balkans. There are 2 rivers (The White and The Black Timok) that

go through the town and their flows meet to form one river, The Big Timok.

Around Zajecar there are 3 artificial lakes, and a very important archaeological

site Gamzigrad (with famous Felix Romuliana), an archaeological site, spa resort

and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serbia

http://www.serbia.travel/culture/archaeological-sites/Gamzigrad.a-

143.651.html. During free time the volunteers will have a possibility to use the own

pool and rivers for swimming and also they will have an opportunity to visit

Zajecar and its cultural heritage. Several workshops related to the topic of

workcamp will be organized.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Zajecar

VSS28 REbicycle, Pancevo

Type: RENO/ENVI

Dates: 01/08 -14/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: “Connecting People” is a youth organization from Pancevo, established

in 2013 with the idea of creating possibilities for young people to fulfil their

potentials and encourage positive changes in the society. “Connecting People”

was founded by the Regional volunteer center, the network of the regional

volunteer programs organizers. The organization is a contact point of YRS–VSS for

the international volunteer exchange. This is the third workcamp they organize.

Work: The volunteers will repair old bicycles that will be used by the local

volunteer service helping the elders as well as for the other actions of the

association. The volunteers will also work on the removal of the old paint,

painting as well as removing, cleaning and fixing parts of bicycles. They will mark

new bicycle roads on the streets of Pancevo. Cycling as an ecological,

sustainable way of transportation and a healthy lifestyle will be promoted

throughout many street manifestations, together with the citizens of Pancevo.

Accommodation and food: In the rooms of the Shooting club “Pancevo 1813”.

The volunteers will sleep in rooms equipped with beds but they need to bring

sleeping bags. Meals will be prepared by the volunteers from the ingredients

provided by the organization. There are bathrooms and showers in the same

building.

Location and leisure: Pancevo is a town in Banat, at the river Tamis with more

than 75.000 inhabitants. This is a modern, multicultural city with developed

industry and many different cultural happenings. It is situated in a flat area, really

convenient for cycling. A city tour on bikes will be organized, a trip to the

Belocrkvanska lakes http://www.tos.org.rs/node/1008 , if conditions allow, to

Deliblato Sands a Special Nature Reserve will be organized as well. This place is

called “European Sahara” as it is the last remaining desert in Europe

http://www.serbia.com/visit-serbia/natural-beauties/unique-nature/deliblato-

sands-the-european-sahara/. An Intercultural evening will be organized, where

volunteers will have a chance to present their country, its customs and food and

other, more personal perception of their culture, so to reflect together on the

concept of culture in an international surrounding Moreover, the volunteers will

be introduced with the principles of the local volunteer social service and one

discussion on the topic of sustainable transport will be organized as well.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Pancevo

VSS29 ENERGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Obrenovac

Type: RENO/ENVI

Dates: 01/08 - 15/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Obrenovac is one of the 17 Belgrade municipalities. It is named after the

royal family Obrenovic, whose summerhouse and library are still there. It is

surrounded by three rivers, with a recreational area and a spa. Obrenovac is

proud of its rich cultural life. In May 2014 the town was severely flooded. In some

parts of the town the water remained for more than six weeks. The damages

were terrifying. Our five workcamps organized since gave great results as the

volunteers were helping families in the renovation of their homes. Dozens of

homes were renovated. The host of this workcamp for the past 5 years are Youth

office of Obrenovac and Obrenovac Youth Foundation. They say now it is time

for something different.

Work: Obrenovac is considered to be the main battery that supplies almost half

of the country with electricity since the largest Serbian thermal power plant

“Nikola Tesla” is located on the periphery of the town. Living next to the power

plant has its side effects. Environmental protection represents a great challenge.

In accordance with those challenges the volunteers will be involved in different

environmental outdoor activities such as revitalization of a town picnic area

Zabran, landscaping, clearing and marking walking paths, clearing them of

excessive vegetation, placing resting benches and other.


cultural and ecological center EKO-YARD. They will sleep on mattresses, so

sleeping bag is needed. There is a kitchen, bathrooms with showers. The

volunteers will cook by themselves from the ingredients provided by the hosts.

Location and leisure: Obrenovac is situated only 30 km from Belgrade, the

capital city of Serbia. The picnic area Zabran is an oak wood isolated from the

traffic noise and one of the favourite places among the local inhabitants. There

are several excursions planned, one of them to visit Belgrade. Volunteers will

have the opportunity to participate in various workshops on importance of

environmental protection with the focus on recycling. At the end of the

workcamp an exhibition of works from the workshop is planned, so the

volunteers share the results with the citizens of Obrenovac.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Obrenovac

VSS30 AGE IS JUST A NUMBER III, Belgrade

Type: ELDE

Dates: 01/08 - 18/08


Age limit: 18+















residents.








rooms with beds (sleeping bags are not required) of Center, with toilets and

showers. Meals will be shared with the Centre residents.

Location and leisure: Area of Bezanijska kosa is in a quiet part of the city of







Language: English

Airport: Belgrade


VSS31 IT'S TIME FOR CAMP(ING)!, Nis

Type: CONS/RENO

Dates: 02/08 – 13/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: In 2015 the Association “Kamenica” claimed a devastated camp

settlement along the favourite picnic site for the inhabitants of the third biggest

town of Serbia, Nis, called “Kamenicki vis”, which was not operational for the last

10 years. Their goal is to renovate the camp and to open an educational and

recreational youth camp, which will be fully integrated with the natural,

economic and social environment, so they can offer free programs for children

and youth. From the very beginning, the Association “Kamenica” introduced

workcamps to this project. This is the fourth camp that we organize in order to

contribute to the development of area through improving the existing tourist

offer and establishment of new tourist attractions.

Work: The volunteers will paint camp houses, maintain the campground and set

up guideposts. In the second half of the workcamp the volunteers will

cooperate with partner organizations in arranging paths in concrete that

connect the camp with picnic and sports facilities. With help of a professional

worker, the volunteers will set up (sand and paint) 5 camp houses. Together with

local volunteers, they will build the forest road that will connect the camp with

the nearby „Samar cave”. It implies removing bushes and branches, tracing a

new path through the forest. During the days of "Open doors" campers will be in

the role of promoters of the refurbished and new tourist facilities to the citizens of

Nis and representatives of the media and so to present results of their work

during the Workcamp’s Final Event

Accommodation and food: In the camp site in fully equipped wooden houses.

The volunteers will prepare meals by themselves, food will be provided by the

organizers.

Location and leisure: The campsite "Kamenicki vis" is located in the mountains, at

the altitude of 800 meters, only 13 km from the center of Nis. It offers a clear view

of the entire city and its surroundings. It is surrounded by natural beauty, rich

flora and fauna, historical monuments and archaeological sites. During free time

the volunteers can use basketball and football courts or hike. It is also planned

to have a guided tour around the area to get to know the local cultural and

historical heritage as well as to visit Nis. One workshop about rural development

will be organized.

Language: English

Airport: Nis, Belgrade, Sofia (BGR)


VSS32 THE RURAL MURAL, Village Dobra, Golubac

Type: RENO

Dates: 04/08 - 18/08

Number of volunteers: 15 Age limit: 18+ Partner: JAZAS youth of Pozarevac was founded in 2007. It promotes

volunteerism and youth participation, youth health and safety and society

advancement. JAZAS organizes workcamps since 2014.

Work: This year we would like to improve conditions in a village school, attended

by the pupils from two villages. The volunteers will work on the school’s facade

(painting a mural), classrooms (repairing furniture) and its courtyard (building

and placing resting benches and sport installations, mainly on the volleyball

court).


school’s gym, with beds with mattresses and sheets (no need to bring). The gym

has showers and toilets, but we will have a solar shower as well! The volunteers

will prepare the meals with food provided by the host, as there is a fully

equipped kitchen in the school. We expect the locals to be eager to join with

the typical dishes from Serbia.

Location and leisure: The village Dobra is located in the North-East Serbia, inside

the Natural Park Djerdap, about 150km away from Belgrade, 30km from Donji

Milanovac and 24km from Golubac and its famous fortress overlooking the

Danube, where it is is at its widest and deepest of its entire stretch through

Europe. http://www.serbia.com/visit-serbia/cultural-attractions/palaces-and-

fortresses/golubac-the-guardian-of-the-danube/

In free time we will get to know the very rich nature of the area; there will be a

trip orgnised to see the Golubac fortress, Trajan’s table and the oldest urban

settlement of Europe, called Lepenski vir, dating back to 8.5 millenniums ago to

the young Stone Age of Europe. We will organize different workshops, games,

traditional dances, sport activities, fishing, ride with a catamaran and we will

also be special guests for the Youth Day in Golubac.

Language: English Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Golubac

VSS33 MORIEK – PICNIC TIME! Bor

Type: RENO

Dates: 08/08 – 22/08


Age limit: 18+

Partner: Young Researchers of Bor is a non–governmental organization founded

in 1976, which gathers youth interested in volunteering, scientific and research

work in the natural and social sciences, ecology and protection of the

environment. It used to be a branch of YRS-VSS. Their activities are realized

through research projects and programs, schools, ecological camps, etc. The

workcamp is a joint initiative of several local partner organizations working

together on introducing the spirit of volunteerism as well as developing and

improving rural and eco–tourism. Also, the goal is to motivate local people to be

active in different ecological activities. The tradition of past dozen international

workcamps continues proudly even this year.

Bor is an industrial city, one of the biggest polluters in Serbia. This is why the local

partner aims to present a clear picture of ecological awareness of Bor and the

surrounding area and to raise ecological awareness of local population as well

as the participants of the workcamp. Young Researchers of Bor are one of the

contact points of YRS–VSS for the international volunteer’s exchange.

Work: The volunteers will work on the renovation and marking of hiking trails on

the mountain Stol, they will renovate a little pond mountain picnic place using

sand paper, paint and hand tools for work. One working day the volunteers will

spend in the village of Luka, where they will work together with the locals on

renovation and cleaning of the village. Volunteers will participate in the

celebration of the International Youth Day (12 August) in Bor.


mountain hut with a dining room, a kitchen, toilets and showers. Meals will be

provided by the organizers. If someone would like to bring their own tent, there is

a suitable place for it.

Location and leisure: The village Luka cherishes cultural and artistic tradition and

is rich in preserved folk customs. During the free time volunteers will attend

workshops and lectures and will have the opportunity to visit the town of Bor.

Language: English

Airport: Nis, Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Bor

VSS34 CULTURAL RENOVATION, Jazak

Type: ENVI/CONS

Dates: 08/08 – 19/08


Age limit: 18 +

Partner: Environment Engineering Group organises this workcamp for the sixth

time in the Jazak village on the Fruska Gora Mountain with the goal to support

the development of a local NGO named “Centre for rural development and

applied learning” in Jazak, as well as to help promote the village Jazak through

innovative ideas of the international volunteers. We believe international

workcamp volunteers could motivate the local community, especially young

people, to get involved in the social life of the village, giving their contribution to

its development.

Work: The volunteers will help with connecting small and undeveloped village

Jazak with touristicly more advanced Vrdnik spa. They will build a new walking

and cycling path (removing bushes and branches, tracing a new path through

the forest) and help promote it as a new tourist activity. In addition to the

construction of the mountain track, during the workcamp the volunteers will be

renovating smaller public spaces in the village of Jazak and renovating premises

of the Centre for rural development and applied learning.

Accommodation and food: In the Centre there are 2 rooms with bathrooms, and

there is one bungalow with bathroom as well. There is also a common room for

free time activities and Wi–Fi. The volunteers will prepare meals on their own,

with food provided, and with help of a local lady, eager to add new

international recipes to her book but also share her specialities!

Location and leisure time: Jazak is a small village in the northern part of Serbia,

on the slopes of the Fruska Gora Mountain, a national park of extraordinary

beauty, home to sixteen beautiful monasteries. Jazak is situated at 80 km from

Belgrade, 25km from Novi Sad, and 12 km from the closest town of Ruma.

Together we will visit a nearby monastery “Jazak”, a swimming pool, and one

day we will visit the city of Novi Sad. Workshops on environmental topics will be

organized.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Ruma

VSS35 LITTLE YUGOSLAVIA, Subotica

Type: RENO/ENVI/CULT

Dates: 09/08 – 24/08


Age limit: 18 +

Partner: Mini-Yugoslavia and Koncept EEE, are two NGOs from Subotica that

created a special piece of land called the Park “Yugoland” in 2003. The territory

represents the territory of the second Yugoslavia; during the era of Tito. The

information tables introduce facts about the country at that time. There is also a

small museum. The park is spread over more than 3 hectares with more than

4,000 trees. Why it is called the 4th Yugoslavia, you can read here:

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC376C2_mini-

yugoslavia?guid=b95f1978-2cd0-49f7-9fc2-511dab7a41d2. The most important

reason why “Yugoland” was founded is the Yugo-nostalgia. The mission of the

organisation is preserving the Yugoslav culture and tradition, promoting

Brotherhood Unity of South Slav Nations, maintaining the tradition of important

events and dates in the history of South Slavic people. The hosting organisation

is also active in preserving biodiversity, planting trees, composting, promotion of

renewable energy resources and sustainable development. Our actions are

directed to strong public advocacy towards changing bad habits regarding the

use of natural resources and in terms of dealing with waste.

Work: This workcamp should contribute to the creation of a new touristic space

in Park Yugoland - "Mini Yugoslavia - Open Air Museum". The idea is to provide

tourists with interesting information about the history of the Yugoslavia, giving

visitors an insight into the historical museum items. The volunteers will set up an

exhibition inside the Park, draw on the walls and paint picnic benches, improve

the greenspace & garden, make and install tourist information boards. The work

will manual and with hand tools, mostly outside in shade and on fresh air!

Accommodation and food: It will be provided on site, in tents with mattresses &

sleeping bags, with solar shower cabins. Food will be prepared for the volunteers

by the host. Fresh fruits and vegetables will be provided in large quantities. We

will encourage volunteers to get involved in cooking, so to share favourite home

recipes and taste different cuisines.

Location and leisure time: The Park spreads on more than 3ha and has around

4000 trees. The town of Subotica is known for its rich cultural heritage,

multicultural spirit, vibrant cultural events and good food. There will be an

excursion to Subotica organised. There will be workshops on environmental

protection.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Subotica Special remarks: Volunteers need to bring sleeping bags.

VSS36 BIRDS’ ELDORADO - OBEDSKA BARA, Pecinci

Type: ENVI

Dates: 20/08 – 02/09


Age limit: 18 +

Partner: The Special Nature Reserve “Obedska Bara” is the second oldest

protected area in the world (the oldest in Europe) and a wetland of

international importance (listed as a Ramsar site and IBA and IPA area).

Obedska Bara, famous ornithological site, is an oxbow lake surrounded with

marsh and forest habitats. Wetlands are among the world’s most threatened

ecosystems and this one has been gravely degraded, the most important

problem being the overgrowing and disappearance of wet meadows. This year

it will be full 20 years Young Researchers of Serbia organises the workcamp and

the results are wonderful - so far because of our activities several bird species

have returned and the working site has the richest bird fauna in the reserve.

Work: Volunteers will be included in the project “Return of the Ibis” of wet

meadows revitalization by removing tree branches and clearing other

vegetation. In this way we are helping fighting overgrow of the wet meadows.

For our work in here we have been awarded with several important awards in

the field of environmental protection and represent example of good practice

in the field of active conservation and nature protection. Some work in the area

of medieval fortress will be done.

Accommodation and food: in two renovated houses in Ethno Park, sleeping on

folding beds and mats. Volunteers need to bring sleeping bags. Food will be

prepared for volunteers by a local cook.

Location and leisure time: Obedska Bara (www.obedskabara.rs) is located at

50km from Belgrade and 75km from Novi Sad. Lectures on wetlands and

Obedska Bara's recent environmental problems will be given. Volunteers can

also swim in the lake and the river Sava, watch the birds and explore the

beautiful nature of the area. An excursion to Belgrade will be organised.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Belgrade

VSS37 LUDAS THE SWAN LAKE II, Hajdukovo

Type: ENVI

Dates: 03/09 - 16/09


Age limit: 18 +

Partner: Public enterprise Palic-Ludas, the manager of the nature protected

area organizes this workcamp in the last 16 years.

Work: The Special Nature Reserve Ludas Lake is one of the oldest protected

areas in the world, known as wetlands of international importance as well as an

ornithological reserve. The lake has a rich bird fauna consisting of 214 recorded

species, 140 of which are protected as natural rarities. They represent an

essential feature of this valuable reserve for Serbia and Europe. Ludas Lake is the

habitat of many endangered species, and is also an important station for

migratory bird species. The volunteer activities will mainly focus on the

revitalization of areas: cutting and removal of invasive plant species that

threaten the natural habitat; repairing of educational paths in the woods of

Ludas and Selevenjska: taking part in mowing and maintenance of steppe

meadows at the Ludas Visitors’ Center; repairing the facade of the Fishermen's

Huts. These activities are carried out as a measure of active protection of nature

in order to preserve habitats, as well as the maintenance of the site’s

infrastructure. Volunteers interested in projects related to the village and nature

conservation are more than welcome.

Accommodation and food: In small homes, so-called research stations in the

attic with sleeping mattresses, male and female toilets and showers. Bed sheets

will be provided but volunteers can bring their sleeping bag. Lunch and dinner

will be served in a restaurant; breakfast will be prepared by participants, from

the food provided by the hosts.

Location and leisure: Hajdukovo and Ludas Lake are 12km from Subotica, in the

far north of Serbia. The free time is planned various activities like birds watching,

boating on the lake, as well as the education of participants in relation to the

conservation of biological and landscape diversity, ecological corridors and

other habitats of importance for nature conservation.

Language: English



VSS38 OTTOMAN TALES, Kupinovo

Type: ARCH/MANU

Dates: 10/09 – 23/09


Age limit: 18+

Partner: The Srem Region has been permanently inhabited since the early Stone

Age with many clear signs of life just below the ground surface. Thanks to those

signs we are able to see activities, ways of life even the way of thinking of the

inhabitants of past time. The overall excavations of all historical layers show that

this part of the region has an extraordinary rich cultural background. The locality

“Ethno house” in Kupinovo village should provide evidence on communities

living here since the Iron Age. Many of the localities are endangered due to

agriculture or construction, especially in industrial zones, but not this one. The first

excavations started four years ago and after three workcamps the results were

very positive.

Work: The volunteers will continue the work from the previous years in the area of

the fortress Kupinik, destroyed in 1521 when Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent

conquered this region. You’ll join the team of volunteers led by a local

archaeologist in the continuance of the field works in the compound of the

Kupinik fortress in Kupinovo. These would be the first conservation works on the

fortress probably since it was destroyed. The volunteers will clear the area under

the vertical parts of the fortress walls and the paths towards the fortress

connecting it with the village.

Accommodation and food: in two renovated houses in the Ethno Park, sleeping

on folding beds. Bring your sleeping bag! Food will be prepared by a local cook.

Location and leisure: Kupinovo is 50 km south-west of Belgrade in the Srem

Region. It is well known by the famous special protected area “Obedska bara”,

the oldest protected area in Europe. There are some very important cultural and

historical monuments in this area which will be shown to the volunteers during

leisure time.

Special requirements: This is a perfect workcamp for students of

archaeology/history or anyone especially interested in archaeology and history.

Language: English

Airport: Belgrade

Train/Bus station: Belgrade

VSS39 ANCIENT ROME FEST, Sremski Karlovci

Type: CULT

Dates: 13 days in mid-September (including arrival and departure days)


Age limit: 18+


of YRS–VSS for sending and hosting volunteers for more than 7 years now. VEM is

a non–governmental organisation that aims at the creation of sustainable

communities, by working on development of environmental protection,

ecotourism, youth & volunteer programmes.

Work: This will be the 9th time the workcamp is being organized in Sremski

Karlovci, during the Wine Fest that gathers around some of the best wine makers

of the region. The initial idea was to provide alternative ways of spending time

during afternoon hours, for visitors of the fest, because of the lack of interesting

programme during this period of the day, and also to help with promotion of the

festival itself. First two years of the workcamp were solely focused on workshops

for kids. The following 3 years were dedicated to the topic of the Roman Empire,

because of the link between the town and this ancient empire. During the last

years the main focus was on creating live shows both on stage and among the

crowd. Two years ago, it was decided that the focus will be on the educational

and creative programme, using various workshops and activities, that showed

the visitors of the Wine Fest how the Romans were living and we will continue

doing so this year. The volunteers will help in preparing the festival, by organizing

an event for children and youth on the topic of the Roman Empire and its

influence on the region. The volunteers will prepare decorations, games and

workshops for the event. There will also be a possibility to organize a small show,

since there is a stage at one of the venues of the event. Also, the volunteers will

assist with the promotion of the event.

Accommodation and food: in a fully equipped youth center. Lunch will be

served at the nearby restaurant, while breakfast and dinner will be prepared by

the volunteers, with the food provided by the organiser. Small, but fully

functional kitchen will be available.

Location and leisure time: Sremski Karlovci is situated on the Fruska Gora

Mountain, just by the river Danube, in the region of Vojvodina. It is a small,

picturesque town with rich past and represents the centre of the Serbian culture

and spirituality. In the middle of September, it is hosting a traditional Wine festival

that gathers around some of the best wine makers of the region. In one part of

its history, this town was under territory of Roman Empire, and it is said that one of

its emperors brought the grapes from Sicily to this region. Sremski Karlovci is

situated at 12 km from Novi Sad. A guided site seeing tour of the town will be

organized, as well as the trip to Novi Sad. There will also be a possibility to

organize a hiking tour around Fruska gora or to explore the Danube and its

wetlands by boat. The volunteers will have the support from students of

archaeology, specializing in the topic of the Roman Empire.

Language: English


Train/Bus station: Novi Sad, Belgrade

Documents

YRS-VSS workcamps 2017 - yap.it workcamps 2017.pdf · WORKCAMPS 2017 About YRS – VSS Young Researches of Serbia (YRS) is a non-profit, non-political NGO officially established