Description of organisation

KVT, the Finnish Branch of Service Civil International (SC), is a non-governmental organization that promotes peace, cooperation, equality and active citizenship. KVT was established in Finland in 1947, so we already have over 70 years of experience in promoting peace and organizing responsible grassroots volunteering projects. KVT’s most important activity is organizing international short-term voluntary projects (workcamps) in Finland and sending volunteers to projects abroad – both short and long-term. KVT also organizes and participates in international seminars and trainings and offers volunteers ways to stay active also locally through various working groups, events or joining the KVT board. KVT is a volunteer-led organization, where volunteers make the decisions about policies and activities. There are a wide variety of activities that are planned, organised and created by our volunteers with the support from the office staff. We work closely both with our partners from our international network SCI and our local partners in Finland when organizing activities and offering volunteering possibilities to people with different backgrounds.

KVT's main audience is young adults, but we welcome volunteers from all kinds of backgrounds: we offer volunteering opportunities for individuals and families, students and retirees and we also provide opportunities to asylum seekers and immigrants living in Finland. We believe that living and working together with people with different backgrounds helps volunteers break down their own barriers and prejudices. It allows them to experience a world of mutual respect and understanding. Our international volunteering projects bring people together to work for a common goal in projects which benefit the local communities. KVT sees volunteering in grass-roots projects as a significant part of democracy and being an active citizen. Voluntary workcamps and long-term volunteering create new shared experiences and friendships between people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that volunteering is a great way to be an active part of a society, broaden your worldviews and build skills and contacts that carry you through life.