Volunteering Teams

2024 VOLUNTEERING TEAM AT “GO ALIVE”

Arrival day : 8 May 2024 - Departure day : 8 June 2024

1 month with 20 volunteers

The volunteers stayed in the hotel “Elimeia 3” in Eani,Greece, and were accommodated in double/triple rooms with bathroom. Accommodation and full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) were covered by the European Solidarity Corps project. Also, the participants received 192 EUR as pocket money .

The Volunteering Teams Project aimed to:

– Organize the Kozani Youth Festival 2024, promoting youth culture, arts, and non-formal education.
– Encourage active citizenship and European solidarity among local youth.
– Empower young people by developing skills and fostering confidence.
– Promote cultural exchange and celebrate diversity.
– Enhance social inclusion, focusing on those facing challenges.
– Support environmental sustainability efforts.
– Advocate for youth work in citizenship and policy-making.
– Equip youth with skills for Kozani’s green and digital transition.

A Month of Dedication: Volunteers Help Bring Our 3-Day Festival to Life

Our festival was a success thanks to the incredible dedication of our volunteers.

Over 30 days, they worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help organize and prepare for the 3-day celebration. From logistics to event management, their commitment was key in ensuring everything ran smoothly. We are deeply grateful for their hard work, which made this unforgettable event possible.

Dances, quick breakfasts, and last-minute preparations marked the start of the first day of the Kozani Youth Fest 🎊 Maria and Marcos, founders of Go Alive, along with international volunteers, welcomed participants, and the Fest officially began! 🎉

1️⃣ The first workshop started at 10:30 with Greek volunteers presenting the history of voting. Guests learned about European elections and participated in an improvised vote.

2️⃣ The next workshop by KETHEA introduced viewers to the topics of addiction and active citizenship.

3️⃣ Then we discussed the definition of fake news and how to recognize it. Participants created their own fake news stories, which were surprisingly believable!

4️⃣ Before the break, we held a workshop on creating a good CV, job searching, and current career trends.

5️⃣ After lunch, five teams competed for the BIG prize in a Scavenger hunt, solving questions and quizzes about the European Union. Congratulations to Group 3 for winning! 👏

6️⃣ The next activity taught participants how to get an internship with European organizations.

7️⃣ The stress management workshop included finding out the most popular tools of stress management and ended with active group discussions.

8️⃣ Four teams took part in the Olympic Games, featuring a quiz about Europe and a song guessing game.

We ended the first day with the opening of a Hackathon focused on financial, time, HR, and risk management. Participants received instructions, a case study, and all necessary information in order to complete task in 48 hours⏳

As the European Parliament elections were just weeks after the festival, the event focused on citizenship and democratic participation, aligning with our mission of youth empowerment and well-being for all. We emphasized European Solidarity Corps values—solidarity, human dignity, and mutual understanding. Volunteers were assigned Greek buddies for support, and team leaders provided pre-project details.

The festival also promoted a fair, equal society, encouraging pluralism, cooperation, and non-discrimination through non-formal educational activities with local organizations.

Street Art Workshop: ARSIS led a session on street art, with participants suggesting ways to improve Kozani’s public spaces.
Speed Dating: Participants engaged in quick conversations with international volunteers.
Leadership & Teamwork: ESN hosted a workshop on leadership and team-building skills.
Human Rights: UOWM assigned roles to participants to explore diverse perspectives on human rights.
Green Skills: ΙΕΚ VOLTEROS discussed green skills and job opportunities.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship: CluBE taught participants about sustainable business practices.
First Aid: Hellenic Rescue Team provided life-saving skills training.
Hackathon: Teams competed to present project management solutions.

Supported by European Solidarity Corps, INEDIVIM, and local partners.

After the effort, the comfort! PARTY TIME

The Youth Party kicked off in Kozani’s main square. Our DJs set the perfect vibe, keeping everyone dancing until midnight. Thanks to our sponsors, free drinks added to the fun! Special thanks to @litsa_palama for hosting the event. It was an unforgettable night, leaving everyone with great memories. We can’t wait to see you next year at Kozani Youth Fest 2025! Big thanks to all the organizations that made it possible.

Remember, “Without U, it’s just Erope.”