SERVIZIO VOLONTARIO EUROPEO
GRECIA

ORGANISATION: Conservation volunteers in Greece, Kifissia

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: The objectives of this project is the involvement of young volunteers in nature protection and caring for wildlife.
The Aegean Wildlife Hospital has recently aquired land at the area of Kamares, on the Cycladic island of Greece. The land which is 12500 sq m., will be transformed in such a way as to house the permanent facilities of the Aegean Wildlife Hospital. The land includes an old farm house. When the project is finished the land will house:1.Office and library 2.Infirmary 3.Intensive care room 4.Accommodation facilities for volunteers and staff (kitchen, WC, showers, sleeping room ) 5.Aviaries and two lakes for the waterbirds. Therefore the activities of the particular project include construction of parts of the facilities of the AWH as well as the caring for the wounded birds of the hospital.
During their stay the volunteers will acquire the skills necessary for the project . For the construction work, volunteers will be joined in July-August by a larger group of intensive volunteers who will participate in the workcamps, organised by C.V.G. in cooperation with Alliance partners.
The Aegean Wildlife Hospital has relied in the past on the contributions of local volunteers.This has worked on and off, so having volunteers on a 6 month basis is new and it will of course add to our costs. On the other hand, the volunteers will help with the projects and their presence is much needed.

TASKS OF THE VOLUNTEER: The volunteers will basically help with the construction of aviaries and renovation of the building at all stages. At the same time they could help with the everyday work carried out at the original establishment of the hospital which include daily cleaning of premises, feeding of animals, learning how to handle and treat wildlife and especially birds. The volunteers will work together with other volunteers of the AWH for the construction of the new premises under the supervision of an experienced builder, a carpenter or painter. On the other hand the volunteers will also help with the rehabilitation of the recovered wild animals of the Hospital ,under the supervision of an experienced rehabilitator. During morning hours 9.00 am-15.00 pm, from Monday to Friday, the volunteers will be occupied in reconstruction/ renovation work at the building of the AWH, as well as constructing of aviaries, planting trees and caring for the wounded birds. During the afternoon and weekends the volunteers will have the opportunity to integrate in the local community in the way mentioned below.(II .6)
In addition during July and August, the 2 volunteers will be joined by two groups of international volunteers, who will live and work of the same project for helping in the construction work.

SUPPORT SYSTEM:
Technical
The volunteers will receive all the techical support needed by the staff of the Aegean Wildlife Hospital for acquiring the necessary knowledge for animal treatment and rehabilitation. In learning rehabilitation they will have plenty of support.
Technical support will also be provided for the reconstruction work, in the form of necessary equipment and technical quidance by skilled technicians.
Personal :
Intercultural preparation is offered by Miss A. Benetou, a Psychologist and member of the board of C.V.G. The volunteers will be regularly contacted by their mentors:
Mrs Galatia Paradisi, general manager of AWH and
Mrs Pepi Xenariou, EVS- coordinator of C.V.G. during their stay for personal support and problem solving if difficulties occur.
Linguistic :
The volunteers will be offered a crash course in Greek, arranged by the Hellenic American Union.

ORGANISATION: Institute of training and development "DIMITRA", Larissa

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:  Bee.Com - Youth information

PROJECT 1: BEE.COM
As provider of the Internet in the Thessaly region, Bee.Com will create an opportunity for hosting two volunteers for a period of twelve months to work in the technical department supporting the network and communication activities and the design of web site pages for their customers.
The volunteers should have some knowledge of I.T. but, more importantly, have an artistic flare for presentation. Bee.Com is presently actively involved in promoting the Internet for local and regional events and the presentation of social activities which promote fund-raising opportunities within the social sector. A high level of tuition will be given to the volunteers in computing and electronic presentation which will enhance their employment opportunities on returning to their home country.

PROJECT 2 : YOUTH INFORMATION BUREAU
DIMITRA provides an Internet service (Job Club WWW//dimitra.hol.gr) for local and regional youths who are unemployed, to help them find employment. DIMITRA can provide two volunteer placements for a period of twelve months within this activity.
The volunteers will be involved in the reception and dissemination of information to the job seekers, updating the database and helping the job seekers use the technology efficiently in order to seek employment. I.T. tuition will be given to prospective volunteers.

TASKS OF THE VOLUNTEER: Due to the diversity of DIMITRA’s activities, we are in a position to host young volunteers and provide them with meaningful work and cultural experiences as well as providing technical support and a true learning experience.
The proposed projects offer the participants (volunteers) the opportunity to enhance the prospects of employment on return to their home countries as well as participating in socially active programme that will benefit the community at large. The volunteers will work in the technical department supporting the network and communication activities and the design of web site pages for their customers Will be invoved also in the reception and dissemination of information to the job seekers up dateing the database and helping the job seekers use the technology efficiently in order to seek employment.

SUPPORT SYSTEM:
Technical
I.T. Technical support will be provided within all the proposed programmes as well as an induction into the organisational work in DIMITRA and the specific programmes volunteers will be involved in.
Personal :
As the volunteers will be spending the majority of their working time within DIMITRA there will be a close relationship between the allotted monitors and volunteers.
Linguistic :
It is proposed that linguistic support will be provided as an integral part of the volunteers’ programme (see programme)

ORGANISATION: Loutra Ypatis : alternative forms of tourism - Hercules, Loutra Ypatis

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: It’s significant to mention that Mount Oeta and the River Sperchios is an inseparable ecosystem. There is a nature reserve on Mount Oeta with lush fauna and flora. The delta of the river Sperchios is protected by the Ramsar Treaty. Loutra Ypatis is between Mount Oeta and the River Sperchios and there is a spa. Therefore, the scheme of the activities will concern the supplementary services to the hosts. In order to offer supplementary services, the following measures have to be taken:
1. Designing and marking a network of footpaths using G.I.S on Mount Oeta and the River Sperchios.
Construction of footpaths, restoration of existing footpaths and creation of a viewing site.
2. The creation of a jogging track in the park of Loutra Ypatis with simultaneous physical exercise under the instruction of signs signifying what needs to be done at each point.
3. The creation of information signs at central points and at the starting points of the footpaths. Small signs with arrows showing the direction to be followed and the amount of time needed.
4. The publication of thematic tourist guides and the creation of the respective daily, two-day, weekend, and weekly visits. Instructions for creative recreation.
5. Information kiosk
6. A network connecting each of these sites. Tracing, recording and observing the flora along the footpaths
The above concern visitors of all ages. The project eco - tourism Hercules will be connected with a project of
agricultural tourism which will be realized via Leader (European Initiative).

TASKS OF THE VOLUNTEER: The volunteer will participate in the above mentioned activities. The duration of a work day will be five to six hours in the morning. One afternoon a week there will be a meeting with the local authorities. On another afternoon, there will be meetings and discussions with cultural organizations and with youth groups. Until the end of June, there will be visits to all the secondary schools and high schools of the region. There will be free time for touring after the afternoon siesta on a daily basis and at weekends. The tours will be planned by the organizer. There will be a discussion on the progress of the work and the planning of the next steps twice a week. Finally, the volunteers will be able to attend and participate in religious and cultural festivals.

SUPPORT SYSTEM:
Technical:
Skouras Thanasis, mathematician
Alexakis Dimitris, technologist civil engineer
Dardiotis Kostas, architect, engineer.
Mantes Kostas, engineer of information systems.
Alexaki Alexandra, computer information systems
We will be able to provide the technical assistance for the function of G.I.S, design tables and the necessary equipment for the constructions which will be planned.
Personal :
Liaskos Fanis, mathematician
The mentor will be available on a daily basis for any problem the volunteer may encounter
Linguistic :
Alexaki Alexandra, translator

Following the quidlines given by the Hellenic National Structure, there will be a three weeks intensive langauge course after the volunteers arrival. The course wll be available for the whole service if wanted by the volunteers for their interaction with the locals. Moreover, there are locals who have a good command of the English language who will be available to the volunteers.