Beschrijving van de organisatie

Zdruzenie za volonterizam VOLONTERSKI CENTAR BITOLA - Bitola (VCB Bitola) is a non-governmental organization located in Bitola, Republic Macedonia, formed in 2009 by young individuals, former EVS volunteers, having previous experience in various non-governmental organizations and international projects, motivated to contribute to the development of their local community.
The main goal of VCB Bitola is to provide new opportunities for young people who are living out of the capital city of Macedonia - Skopje, not having many possibilities for professional development, especially after finishing their high school or university education when, in case they are not moving to the capital city, they are dealing with many difficulties when looking for first job or developing own business ideas. Thus, the main idea of VCB Bitola is to provide these young people chances to work on themselves and enhance their skills and competence, including communication in foreign language, ability to work in multicultural environment, and especially in the field of project management by providing opportunities to become entrepreneurs and develop own ideas into business, such as, for example, the touristic potential of the hosting venue, including possibilities of eco-tourism, adventure tourism and other ways of using and increasing the potential of the whole area around the hosting region.

As far as our motivation for becoming a host organization of EVS volunteers is concerned, we see EVS volunteers as a link between the local community and the international community, between local customs, traditions, perceptions, on one side, and the fundamental European values, on the other. We think that both sides will profit from the EVS programme: the EVS volunteer themselves, and the people from the local community where the volunteers will be living, through interaction between each other, exchanging opinions and developing new ideas for actions and projects that could be implemented in the hosting venue of the EVS projects or also in countries of EVS volunteers after their return and have an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and transform their new knowledge and abilities in new projects that could inspire others to take active part in voluntary based activities. We consider this to be very important input as voluntary work and volunteerism in the Republic of Macedonia is a concept that is still not generally accepted, and moreover, it has also in many cases negative connotations and it is not seen as an opportunity for development. Thus, we see the presence of EVS volunteers in the local community as an important element that can motivate local youth that is, in many cases, very passive and not seeing voluntary work as a possible way of developing skills and competencies. Also, we believe that EVS volunteers can bring new ideas to the local community that can be developed within the hosting organization and contribute to development of the city and its surrounding.