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Last replied
29 May 2023
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Description
We are a registered NGO set up in early 2017 to provide a unified response to the so-called European Refugee Crisis. We work alongside a number of partners such as Choose Love and Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to provide essential services and support to refugees and migrants living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, France and Serbia. Our aim is to provide care and support for refugees and other displaced people by engaging volunteers to step in where governments and large organizations do not.
Due to the borders being closed after the Paris Agreement in 2015, many refugees and migrants became trapped in Serbia, unable to progress their journey into other parts of Europe. The government have opened transit camps in and around Belgrade to provide support for those affected. There are around 6,000 refugees and migrants in Serbia at the moment. Many more people are in camps or squats around the country and in the centre of Belgrade there is a growing number of people living outside of formal accommodation.
Currently, in Belgrade, we are running a shower and laundry project. Here we are providing free showers and washing clothes for anyone who does not have access to laundry or shower facilities. Our project aims to support people who are sleeping rough across the city. The conditions that people sleep and wash in are extremely tough, due to the dangerously cold winters access to washing facilities is vital for both health and comfort; a hot shower and clean set of clothes can completely change someone's day.
NOTE: We have a minimum age of 21 years old, some exceptions are made for those who have worked with refugee's and asylum seekers beforeTypes of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkLanguage practiceDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteering with us allows you the opportunity to learn about the culture of both the beneficiaries we work with and Serbia itself. You will learn about the issues affecting refugees in the Balkans and how grassroots organisations are run; seeing first hand how quickly the humanitarian crisis can change and how flexible NGOs like ours need to be. You will also be living and working in a new country, with people from all over the world, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn about other cultures.
Not only is this a chance to develop and share your skills but you can also really see the difference that your work makes to the lives of the people you are helping. Based on the feedback we get, volunteering with us can be a unique experience. You’ll quickly be part of the team as everybody involved cares deeply about the work we do and everybody is working towards the same goal.
There are also occasionally opportunities for those staying longer, to apply for Coordinator roles within the team, when they become available, which can be a great chance to develop your skills (usually a minimum commitment of 3 months is required for Coordinator roles).
You’ll be provided with various documents and briefings to ensure our level of professionalism can be upheld, even if you haven’t had any previous experience working with vulnerable populations.Help
We are a responsive and small NGO and our projects may change as circumstances do. We therefore ask for open minded and dedicated volunteers who understand that the projects may not stay the same for the duration of their stay and are willing to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the beneficiaries.
Spending your time helping others is rewarding, and doing it alongside volunteers who share the values of solidarity and caring for people in need, adds to the experience. We often work long hours, the work can be difficult, and it is not glamorous, but at the end of the day there is an incredible feeling of accomplishment.
We currently have two projects: Belgrade and Subotica:
In Subotica, we support people in the region sleeping rough with mobile shower and laundry services, clean drinking water, food items and essential non-food items such as blankets or clothing items. We provide support to approximately 2500 people on the move each month.
In Belgrade, we run a water, sanitation, hygiene centre where we provide free showers and laundry services to people sleeping rough in the city.
Desirable skills:
-Drivers for Subotica project are essential
-People who have experience providing water, sanitation and hygiene support
-Electrician/Plumber/Builder
-Urdu/Farsi/Arabic/Pashto speakers or people with knowledge of Afhgan, Pakistan culture who can act as
cultural/language translators
However, if you don’t have any of these skills but are enthusiastic, hard working and a team player, we would still love to hear from you!
While we try to incorporate everybody’s strengths and establish dedicated roles for the work that needs to be done, spontaneous projects will at times require us to employ a more “all hands on deck” approach so welcome volunteers who are able to be flexible in their roles.
If you have any other experience that you think might be relevant, please let us know!
Days at the WASH centre, shifts are 9 - 5:30 with 1 hour break, the "outreach" shift is more chilled, 10 - 2 with a 1 hour break. You do a variety of shifts throughout the week, and we can accommodate if you need extra "admin" days or want to get involved in other areas of the project :)
If you are interested in joining us or would like more information, please get in touch! In your first message please tell us a bit about your background and experiences and why you would like to volunteer with us. We look forward to hearing from you!
WE REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 4 WEEKS COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEER WITH US.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Most of our volunteers will spend their stay in Volunteer House. It is a hostel style accommodation with up to 10 people divided over 5 bedrooms. It has everything you need: a small kitchen, a washing machine, a living room and garden. There are supermarkets, kiosks, pharmacies, bars, coffee shops, bakeries as well as other stores within walking distance of where we live. The accommodation is basic and functional. We are not wheelchair accessible. There is a social atmosphere and we all are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the house. We have a dog that lives with us but stays in the garden.
We ask for 600RSD (approx €5) per night to stay in our accommodations. All revenue from this goes straight back into covering rent and funding the work we do.
You will need to provide your own breakfast and lunch every day and evening meal one day a week as well as any other spending money you require.What else ...
Living and working so closely together creates somewhat of a family atmosphere and we usually share our evening meal together which we take in turn to cook in pairs. This allows us to talk about the day’s work, explore thoughts and feelings about how things are going and therefore steadily improve our working atmosphere as well as our relationships with each other.
The cost of living (particularly food) is relatively low in the Balkans so it doesn't take much to live comfortably here. There are supermarkets, bakeries, kiosks and some restaurants within walking distance of where we live.
We have a dog at the volunteer house who lives outside but is very sweet!
In your time off there are plenty of interesting cultural and natural places to visit around the city. Museums, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops are only a short bus ride away. Subotica is a really beautiful and interesting city with many places to visit. Located near the Hungarian border it’s easy to visit nearby cities on your time off and also explore a bit more of Serbia.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days a week, two full days off
Feedback (39)
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There are so many things I learned while working with all these incredible kind and open minded volunteers - it was one of the best experiences I have ever had.
Thank you so much for everything.
This is a really special place for sure. It is amazing the work that they are doing.
When i was there they still were working in the Obrenovac camp providing meals and doing activities with the guys.
It was my first time in contact with emmigrants in this conditions and was a… read more
Wish you all the best :)
I was supossed to stay only 3 weeks and ended up staying 2 months, and I would probably still be there if I could.
This place is a real life changing experience. It's hard working, not always easy, but you will be surrounded by the most amazing and generous people, have a… read more
Incredibly well organized and committed, every single day they this guys are doing an amazing work, feeding and helping hundreds of people that are living one of the most terrible humanitarian crisis we face in the world. And all with an unforgettable atmosphere. I don't… read more
I planned on staying 1 month, and much like many, ended up extending to 5 months. It was hands down the best experience I've ever had in my 22 years on this planet :-). Your fellow volunteers will become your family, and the people you're helping will touch your heart.
I truly couldn't have asked… read more
On my way here I did not know what to expect. I arrived at 4pm on a Monday afternoon and was greeted by other volunteers… read more
If you feel comfortable in a diverse group of people (a group that made me feel part of it right away) than this could be a place for you. Days can be long, but only if you are up to it. Work doesn’t feel like work, at least to me it did not, it is just something you want to… read more