Seminars together with incoming and outgoing volunteers
What challenge inspired this recipe? Combine outgoing volunteers’ preparation activities with incoming volunteers’ on-arrival or follow-up activities. Sharing a common space for both groups has proven for us to be a vital part of their preparation / follow-up. They can learn from each other, about their host countries and the language, and share common struggles, […]
Repair resources
What challenge inspired this recipe? We’ve experienced that often things get broken in the accommodations of the volunteers and there’s not always budget to fix it. We are therefore trying to motivate participants to try to repair the things themselves in the spirit of sustainability and gaining new skills. ✍️Grenzenlos Ingredients : For this practice […]
Work plan for the first week in the host organization
What challenge inspired this recipe? Starting in a new home and organization is associated with nervousness, excitement and uncertainty. At the same time, hardly anyone is thrown in at the deep end; most organizations, even in the working world, think about a nice entry and “onboarding” process, but unfortunately rarely communicate their thoughts in advance. […]
Jour Fixe (monthly ESC community meetings)
What challenge inspired this recipe? In order to strengthen the personal contact with the volunteers and to find an alternative to constant “check in emails”, as well as to strengthen the connection of international volunteers and the local community, the idea of “jour fixes” – regular (voluntary) meetings in cafés, bars, or also free outdoor […]
Welcome folder
What challenge inspired this recipe? Before arrival to their host country, the volunteers receive all important and relevant information for their project start via e-mail. However, as we have experienced that many volunteers don’t read the information sent to them via e-mail, especially in the hurry/excitement before their departure from the home country, we always […]
Welcome days
What challenge inspired this recipe? Often volunteers have to wait 1-3 months (or in special cases even longer) for the on-arrival training provided by the National Agency. We therefore host “welcome days” for all newly arriving volunteers within the first week after their arrival. In the 1-2 welcome day program, Grenzenlos provides the volunteers with […]
Mental health resource Padlet
What challenge inspired this recipe? Many volunteers are facing mental health struggles during their ESC volunteering project. The Padlet presents different resources, exercises, information etc. on various mental health issues and support options. ✍️Grenzenlos Ingredients : Resources to collect all the info, to check it regularly and keep it up to date Resources to explain […]
Mental Health support infosheet
What challenge inspired this recipe? Many volunteers are facing mental health struggles during their ESC volunteering project. The causes, symptoms, and consequences are very diverse. Many youngsters will not openly speak about it or ask for help when they need it. To lower the barrier for them to seek help, we provide them with an […]
Mental Health and Illness Awareness Breakfast
What challenge inspired this recipe? The topic of mental health (and illness) is receiving more and more attention in society, but is unfortunately still subject to enormous stigmatization. The idea was therefore to raise awareness, inform and provide support within the framework of volunteer activities. ✍️Grenzenlos Ingredients : I communicate the meetings in good time […]
COALA System
What challenge inspired this recipe? Order to enable peer-to-peer support for incoming ESC volunteers we created the COALA-system (COALA= cooperative alliance of assistance) = “local buddies”. ✍️Grenzenlos Ingredients : You will need to organise a training / preparation for the local volunteers in which they have to be briefed about the aims, structure and process […]