Beschrijving van de organisatie

UNA Exchange has been involved in delivering EVS projects since the programme began as a Coordinating and Sending organisation so we have a lot of experience with the programme. Every year we coordinate the hosting of several EVS volunteers in the South Wales area and work closely with them for the duration of their projects. We also send volunteer abroad on projects and act as a contact point for them throughout their time away. Through this work we have developed a real working knowledge of EVS and the different support structures that volunteers need at every stage of their projects.

Having seen so many successful projects, UNA Exchange is looking to expand our experience and start hosting ourselves. As an organisation we use volunteering as a vehicle for volunteers to explore issues such as cultural awareness and global citizenship and we believe that we could offer potential volunteers a really interesting and fulfilling project with us here in Cardiff. As an office with truly international reach it would also be great to bring in more diversity and feel the benefits that having a long term international volunteer working with us would most certainly bring.

Motivation to be part of EVS:
UNA Exchange is an independent charity specialising in international voluntary service, especially for young people. The organisation promotes voluntary opportunities as a means to achieve international understanding and work for peace, whilst supporting community development.

EVS is a unique opportunity for young people around Europe and partner countries to meet, learn and share valuable experiences regardless of their background and ability. .

UNA Exchange is committed to supporting volunteers throughout their EVS journey – we provide regular occasions where volunteers can meet up, share experiences and obtain advice and information about volunteering.

Current and previous involvement in EVS:
UNA Exchange has been involved with EVS since 1998 and since then has become an EVS sending and co-ordinating organisation for host projects in Wales, and an approved training provider for the programme.

Currently we co-ordinate 14 EVS hosting projects in Wales ranging from environmental work to social and community work and we continue to send over 25 young people on EVS projects every year.

Through a centralised programme co-ordinated by the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisation UNA Exchange has also hosted and sent volunteers on EVS Workcamps We hope to develop our involvement in EVS, Short Term EVS and the Youth in Action Programme as a whole over the coming years to ensure opportunities are especially available to vulnerable young people.