Alice volunteered in Germany from September 2003 until July 2004 with Lebensgemeinschaft Sassen und Richthof. She learned to speak German and discovered anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy and a tool helping to support people with intellectual disabilities.

🎤How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering gave me confidence, helped me get to know myself better, introduced me to Germany, and taught me German, which I still use in my work from time to time. It also introduced me to anthroposophy. I discovered a unique approach to supporting people with intellectual disabilities. I met people who devote themselves to those who are more vulnerable, always with respect. I try to carry this kindness and respect for everyone into my everyday life."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"Volunteering matters because it shows us that we can thrive by helping others. It broadens our horizons. It allows us to discover another country and another culture. It helps us take a step back from our own lives, our country, our studies, and our future profession."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"I hope this volunteering programme continues for many years to come and enables young people from all social backgrounds to have an experience abroad and make friends for life."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Elizabet volunteered in 2021 in Sumy, Ukraine with CanYouAssociation. The volunteering was a deep immersion in non formal learning, gained by mentoring volunteers, managing administration, leading some youth clubs, supporting summer youth camps, and both participating and helping preparations for trainings.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

Volunteering was the masterclass in practical reality that my formal education wasn't—and I say that even with a Bachelor’s degree in Nonformal Education. It shaped my professional path in a concrete way: after finishing my project, I became one of the first officially recognized youth workers in my country under new legislation. I doubt that would have been possible without the guidance and example I received during my volunteering experience. On a personal level, it pushed me to question the thought patterns I used to fall into. More broadly, it taught me to examine life without immediately trying to fix it—to accept reality as it is, and work with it, not against it.

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

Volunteering is important because it's one of the few truly reciprocal forms of work. It gives what you give into it. It addresses tangible needs in a community while forcing the volunteer to move beyond abstract ideas and engage with complex realities. it connects bitovism with idealism somehow. You learn practical skills, see systems from the inside, and develop a clearer, less romanticized understanding of both problems and solutions.

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

Happy 30th! My wish is that this programme keeps giving more people the same raw, life-changing experience it gave me—that chance to live in the messy, beautiful reality of another community, learn by doing, and discover that the biggest shifts often happen within yourself. Here's to 30 more years of building real connections, not just projects.

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Aleksandra volunteered in Poland from April 2024 to April 2025 with CYM Horyzonty. CYM Horyzonty works to create a world of understanding and inclusion by promoting tolerance, solidarity, and active citizenship through non-formal education, social, and cultural initiatives such as courses, workshops, cultural programmes, language learning, and social inclusion initiatives, that engage youth, elderly people, and marginalized people from the local community of Poznań.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"One of the moments I’ll never forget from volunteering was just spending time with elderly people in Poznań. It was the little moments that really stuck with me. Sitting with them, listening to their stories, sharing a laugh, or even just being there quietly, made a bigger impact than I ever expected. Some of the connections didn’t even need language at all - they were about being present, sharing a smile, or holding someone’s hand. Seeing how much it meant to them to feel seen and included made me realize that even small gestures can leave a mark and change someone else’s day or even life."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering has honestly changed the way I see the world - and myself. On a personal level, it’s taught me patience, empathy, and how to really connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. Professionally, I’ve learned to organize events, explore my creativity, and work with teams in ways I never imagined, but the real growth went beyond skills. Volunteering showed me the impact one person can have, even in small ways, and reminded me that listening, learning, and being there for others can be just as important as achieving something on your own. It’s made me realize that life is richer when you give a little of yourself, when you step into someone else’s shoes, and when you see a community come alive because of shared effort and care."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." - Oscar Wilde

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Ivona volunteered in Portugal in 2024 for 12 months. She volunteered in a youth centre called Psientífica at the 'Centro de Juventude de Águeda'. The support organisation in Croatia was Udruga ZUM and with Psientifica, Ivona helped to organise activities for young people at local and international level, using non-formal education methods.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"I will never forget my arrival in my hosting town. I was overwhelmed with many different emotions: excitement and hope, mixed with fear and sadness about leaving my home. I would be lying if I said that I never doubted my decision to embark on this volunteering journey and move to a foreign country on my own. 

Conflicting thoughts were swarming in my head and every step of the way to my destination, I felt tempted to turn around and go back to the safety of what I knew. In that moment, I struggled to remember all the reasons I had chosen to volunteer. While sitting on the train to Águeda, I made myself a promise: I would try. I would stay for at least a week and then decide whether to remain for the full 12 months. I still remember that moment today. I was brave in one of the most challenging times of my life; I believed in myself and my ability to grow, and that courage rewarded me with the most beautiful and transformative experiences I have ever had."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

Together with other volunteers, I recognized the need for a safe and welcoming space for young queer people in our host town. The town was conservative and we had to find creative ways to spread the word and encourage young people to visit the youth centre. Only a few felt confident enough to join us at first, but they soon became our most engaged participants. We began organizing hangouts and creative workshops where they could share their perspectives and express themselves without fear of judgment. Gradually, word spread among the local youth and our small group started to grow. As attendance increased, we felt a stronger responsibility toward the participants and introduced educational activities which they received with enthusiasm. Starting with almost no support, we eventually built a vibrant community of nearly forty young people passionate in LGBTQIA+ rights. They continue to meet and support one another even today, long after the volunteers completed the project.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"The biggest impact of my project – and what helped me grow the most – was the power of community among the volunteers. Volunteering project is an adventure in itself. You begin alone, throw yourself into the unknown and try to understand who you are and what you want to achieve in this new chapter of life. I was one of seven volunteers with whom I shared responsibilities, a flat and much of my free time.

 At first, I felt scared and lost in a new country, far from everything familiar. We volunteers were all very different, yet we chose to be open, to welcome and respect one another, and to care for each other. I realised that home is much more than a place. I found home within myself because I allowed myself to be vulnerable with “strangers,” to love and be loved without expectations, to help and be helped. This stayed with me even after the project ended and we went our separate ways. My fellow volunteers are the greatest gift and the most transformative part of my entire experience."

Ivona and fellow volunteers during her project

A creative workshop

Psientífica event promotional material

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Ivor volunteered from May 2014 to May 2015 in Sicily with Associazione Culturale Strauss, supporting the local community in Mussomeli, and in particular children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"The most unforgettable part of my volunteering experience was the first few months, which felt like a complete break from everything I had known before. Living independently in Sicily was both exciting and overwhelming, as I adapted to a new culture and environment. I was deeply impressed by the lush landscape, the beauty of small towns, and the richness of local traditions. 

Sharing a home with volunteers from different countries broadened my perspective and encouraged openness. This intense period of discovery—of place, people, and myself—marked the beginning of lasting personal growth and a changed worldview."

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"My engagement contributed directly to supporting the local community in Mussomeli, particularly children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I assisted in teaching English in local elementary and high schools, led creative and recreational activities and provided care and companionship to children from problematic family situations at Casa Vanessa. In addition, I participated in activities such as park maintenance, ecological initiatives, and youth-oriented community projects. 

Through these actions, I helped ease everyday burdens within the community and supported social inclusion, education, and well-being, which made my work feel genuinely meaningful and socially valuable."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering was a major turning point in my life - a moment I will always look back on as the dividing line between “before” and “after.” It contributed significantly to my personal growth by strengthening my independence, adaptability and intercultural awareness. Living abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop resilience, strong communication skills and a deeper understanding of different cultures. 

Professionally, I improved my organisational skills, teaching abilities, language competencies (especially in Italian and English) and digital skills. Above all, the experience reshaped my outlook on life by reinforcing the importance of community, solidarity and giving back. It taught me that personal growth is deeply connected to making a positive contribution to others and to society at large."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Daniel volunteered with Active Zone Outdoor for 12 months from December 2022 until December 2023. the project focused on actively engaging people with and without visual impairment in sea and coastal activities for social interaction and inclusion.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"On a personal level, it greatly deepened my empathy and appreciation for equal rights and diverse perspectives, giving me a clearer vision for a more just world and strengthening my commitment to social justice. Furthermore, my involvement with sea sports fostered a stronger environmental awareness and responsibility for marine protection. 

Professionally, the experience sharpened my critical thinking by challenging me to analyze complex problems and ask better questions, not just seek easy answers. My communication and listening skills improved significantly, reinforcing the value of collaboration and teamwork. I also developed the ability to take initiative and participate actively in decision-making. 

Ultimately, this project turned my values into real social action, increasing my commitment to active participation and shaping me into a more empathetic and effective agent of change."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

Volunteering is vital because it addresses the gaps in support for marginalized groups. Volunteers act as a crucial human resource, making innovative, high-impact inclusion programmes (like adaptive sports) possible when they are neglected by traditional funding. Ultimately, volunteering challenges the status quo by actively showing what can be achieved right now, refusing to accept the societal exclusion of any group.

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

To keep encouraging, motivate young people and provide funded opportunities for them to take part in volunteering and solidarity projects.

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Niki volunteered in Cyprus for one year with Generation for Change where she helped individuals with a migrant background to enhance their digital skills. The purpose was for these people to present their cultural background in an event organised specifically around intercultural diversity and inclusion.

🎤 What has been the most memorable or impactful moment from your volunteering experience — something you will never forget?

"One of the most impactful moments I experienced during the project, was when we had a meeting to prepare a presentation with women from Afghanistan. They would present their culture and country. While we were making the presentation, and discussing about what to incorporate, the conversation shifted toward the current political situation, the hardships women, and generally people that oppose the regime in Afghanistan have to endure, their journey to Cyprus and the hardships they encountered here. Those two women are university graduates, and yet they are unable to work in Cyprus due to the national laws concerning asylum seekers."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"I realised that life can be more unfair to some people. Individuals like me, who are often found in advantaged situations, should do what they can to even the scale. Every little action counts."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"My wish is for more people to become aware that volunteering opportunities are widely available, and volunteering is needed in Cyprus. A few moments of one's time can have a huge impact to someone in need."

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

I decided to volunteer because I felt that my life needed to change. I had finished my undergraduate and master's degrees and needed to broaden my horizons and find my path. I was looking for a new direction that would redirect the entire path I had travelled, while also completing my doctoral studies online. And I found it.

Sometimes, we are afraid to leave everything behind and start afresh, without realising that what awaits us could be extraordinary. I sincerely believe that everyone should have the opportunity to volunteer at some point in their lives, as they would see how rewarding it is to give of yourself to others in need.
After deciding to embark on this new adventure, I applied for several projects and, after a few interviews, I finally ended up in Veszprém, a town not far from Budapest, to work in a kindergarten where we could teach not only Hungarian but also English.

Many associations, including the one I belong to, Európa Ifjúsága Egyesület, offer great opportunities that we should definitely take advantage of in order to grow more as individuals. I have acquired new skills like leadership, problem-solving, patience, communication, positivity...
If you are wondering whether to do it or not, make the decision. A new country may be waiting for you. 

Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

Matyáš, from Czech Republic, volunteered in Austria in 2024 for nine months with Die Bäckerei Kulturbackstube and the support of Brno for you and Cubic.

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Volunteering opened the door to the world of cultural production for me. It was the first time I truly experienced how joyful and fulfilling working in the cultural sphere can be. Over time, I became part of everyday life at a cultural center. I began to understand how important these spaces are: they bring people together, spark creativity, and serve as a natural third home for different communities. It was there that I realised just how fragile, yet powerful, moments of connection between people can be. They often happen by chance—at a concert, workshop, or evening discussion—and yet they can profoundly shape the way someone sees the world. At Die Bäckerei, I met people from diverse backgrounds, each with their own projects and stories. The inspiration I gained from them has stayed with me ever since. Ultimately, my volunteering experience shaped the direction of my career. After university, I stayed in the cultural field, continuing to build on my volunteering experience and skills."

🎤  Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"I believe volunteering matters because it gives people the chance to actively stand behind an idea that resonates with them. When we choose to volunteer, we’re not just supporting a project; we’re putting in our time, energy, and heart. Very often, it’s thanks to volunteers that events and initiatives happen at all. Without those extra hands, many of them simply wouldn’t be possible. Volunteering creates space for young people to get involved, show what they can do, and become a part of something they genuinely care about. It also teaches us that society isn’t just a collection of individuals, but a living network of mutual support. It reminds us that people want to contribute. Sometimes, they just need the opportunity and the story that inspires them. And when that happens, it creates a wonderful, warm feeling among everyone involved, a sense that we’re doing something that truly matters. It might only be a few hours a week, but the result can be a new friend, a new idea, or a change."

🎤 What is your birthday wish for the 30th anniversary of EU supported volunteering — and for the next 30 years to come?

"If I think about the 30th anniversary of EU-supported volunteering, I picture a huge birthday cake. Everyone who has ever taken part in it would add their own slice of effort, and together we’d end up with a cake made from countless individual experiences, encounters, and stories. And in the end, we’d cut it, taste it, and sit around one table sharing what volunteering has given us. I love the idea that in multilingual Europe, someone arrives in a country whose language they barely know and still finds their way to people, simply by being open, extending a helping hand, and being willing to help. Realising that—despite different languages—we speak the shared language of solidarity and the desire to create something meaningful is, for me, the essence of volunteering. I hope that the chance to travel and volunteer becomes more accessible to those who may not have many opportunities or don’t know where to start. May our shared cake grow even bigger, more colorful, and full of new flavours."

Matyas in a cultural centre

Matyas animating in a radio studio

Matyas and his group of volunteers

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Updated on Tuesday, 14/04/2026

One day, I learned about volunteering, and I immediately liked the idea. I started researching and then took the plunge. I found a project that suited me, in a country I wanted to discover, so I didn't think twice! It all started last year. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I needed a break and to get to know myself better. However, I've always loved spending time with children. I often babysat, especially for my neighbors' children, who I adore! 
I heard about volunteering from a woman whose son had volunteered 10 years ago and loved it! So I quickly did some research to find out if there was an organization near me that could give me more information. I came across an organization full of wonderful people, one of whom was particularly happy to help me! I later learned that she was organizing an “introductory” session about volunteering, and that totally convinced me! After many days of research, I came across this project in Nemesvamos, Hungary. I applied, had an interview, and was accepted shortly thereafter. I live and work with a Georgian girl and a Spanish girl, and we get along really well! As for the work, we work in a bilingual kindergarten/nursery. The teachers speak Hungarian and English, and some of the children come from other countries and therefore speak English. This kindergarten allows children to feel like they are in a peaceful place where they can grow and develop new skills freely, and spending time with them, we really feel that! I always knew that I loved spending time with children, but since I started working at this preschool, I enjoy spending time with them even more! 

Updated on Thursday, 09/04/2026