Introduction
Kiili Youth Centre is a dynamic youth work organisation in Estonia, providing a safe and supportive environment for young people aged 7–26, with a primary focus on younger participants aged 7–12. The centre operates based on the principles of open youth work, where young people are free to participate, express themselves, and develop their ideas in a non-formal learning setting.
The youth centre is open on weekdays and offers a variety of activities that support young people’s personal development, creativity, and social skills. The programme is flexible and adapts to the interests, needs, and seasonal opportunities of the young people. Activities range from daily youth work and workshops to camps, events, and community initiatives.
The volunteer will join the youth centre team and take part in everyday activities, supporting the planning of programmes and helping to create a welcoming space where young people can express themselves and feel supported.
Location
The project takes place in Kiili, a small and peaceful municipality located just outside the capital city, Tallinn, in Estonia. Kiili offers a calm and safe environment, ideal for youth work, while still being closely connected to urban life.
The volunteer will be based at Kiili Youth Centre, where daily activities with young people take place. At the same time, the volunteer will live in Tallinn, providing access to a vibrant city with diverse cultural life, international communities, and various leisure opportunities.
There is a frequent and reliable public transport connection between Kiili and Tallinn, making daily commuting easy and convenient. This allows the volunteer to experience both a local community setting through their work in Kiili and a dynamic city lifestyle during their free time.
Proposed Activities
The volunteer will be actively involved in the daily life of the youth centre, including:
- Engaging with young people through daily youth work activities
- Creating dialogue, supporting, and guiding young people in their development
- Helping young people discover and develop their talents and key competences
- Supporting young people in implementing their own ideas and initiatives
- Planning and organising activities, workshops, and events together with the team
- Contributing their own ideas and leading activities based on their interests and skills
- Participating in camps, trips, and seasonal events
The work is dynamic and flexible, with each week varying depending on the needs and interests of the young people. The volunteer is encouraged to be creative, proactive, and adaptable.
Volunteer Profile
We are looking for a volunteer who:
- Is motivated to work with young people, especially children aged 7–12
- Is enthusiastic, creative, and open to sharing ideas
- Shows initiative and is willing to take an active role in activities
- Is flexible and able to adapt to a changing environment
- Enjoys working in a team and communicating with diverse groups
No specific professional background is required, but a genuine interest in youth work and a positive attitude are essential.
Learning Outcomes
During the project, the volunteer will:
- Gain knowledge about open youth work practices in Estonia
- Develop communication skills by working with young people of different ages and backgrounds
- Gain experience in working with diverse groups, including young people with special needs
- Improve organisational and time-management skills through activity and event planning
- Develop creativity and digital skills, including social media and visual content creation
- Strengthen self-reflection and personal development competences
- Gain insight into Estonian culture and language.
Impact
The volunteer will contribute to creating a positive and engaging environment at the youth centre by actively participating in daily activities and supporting young people’s development. Through their presence, they will encourage communication, creativity, and participation among young people.
The volunteer will also bring an international perspective, helping to increase young people’s awareness of different cultures and opportunities such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. Their involvement will motivate local youth to be more open, confident, and interested in international experiences.
At the same time, the volunteer will promote intercultural understanding by sharing their own culture and experiences, contributing to a more inclusive and tolerant community.
Application
To apply, fill in the application form in the left column and send it to evs@estyes.ee
NB! We are flexible regarding the project dates which means we can change the service dates to some extent according to the needs of the volunteer.
The project is supported by the Estonian Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps from the Erasmus+ program.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
