News

27^th-31^st July 2026:

The second week of Short Term Summer Fun took place under the theme “Creativity” in Criseni. Next to creating fun experiences for the children, the goal was to help them foster their creativity through arts and crafts.

Every day the camp started with some music and a dance. On Monday the children were taught the first steps of the “Cotton-Eye Joe” dance. This was followed by the kids learning each other’s (and the volunteers) names. As the first craft of the week, the children created their own covers for little booklets. The booklets were filled with different small tasks they had to perform each day. By creating the covers themselves and having no bounds set to their creativity, each child could create an individual booklet. Aside from paper and pens, cotton and crepe paper were used to make masterpieces! After a short snack break the rest of the day was spent playing “Remember ball”, an active sports game which the kids absolutely adored. The day ended with some feedback from the children and the daily leaving ritual.

Tuesday began with some short games to get to know each other. The craft of the day was making salt dough. After making the clay-like material the children created various trinkets using cookie cutters and clay equipment. Once again, there were no limits as to what they could make which lead to wonderfully individual results such as jewelry trays, pendants and pizza -shaped trinkets. Afterwards the dough was set out to dry and harden until the end of the week. The sports activity was made up of three variations of tag games which the children truly enjoyed after all the sitting during the craft.

On Wednesday the children had to find natural materials in the garden in different colors. These materials were later used to decorate paper flowers the kids created with the help from the volunteers. This was followed by an official football match and a dance lesson as well as the daily leaving ritual.

The following the day the craft activity was creating monsters. Once again, the creativity of the kids was demanded, as they only received paper cups and crafting materials. With the help of glue, paper and googly eyes, volcano monsters, Frankensteins and zombies were created. This was followed by an obstacle course, which they really enjoyed (especially Boti).

The last day of the week was bittersweet. The children spent the morning decorating the trinkets they created from salt dough and played various ballgames afterwards. Although all of them had a fantastic time, the day did bring some sadness, as the children were disappointed that the camp was already finished. After receiving the final feedback from the kids which was very positive, the volunteers too felt sad to see the children go.

Overall it was a very successful and enjoyable week, during which the children could foster their creativity and enjoy time with other people.

News

Between 20 and 24 July, the first summer camp of this year’s Short Term Summer Fun project took place in Cristuru Secuiesc. During the five-day World Traveler Camp, children had the opportunity to explore the cultures of different countries through fun and interactive activities while also developing their Romanian and English language skills.

Each day of the camp focused on a different country. Monday was dedicated to Spain, Tuesday to France, Wednesday to Germany, Thursday to Romania, and Friday to England. The program featured a wide variety of activities: we started each morning with a group dance to a song in the language of the country of the day, which created a cheerful atmosphere and set the tone for an exciting adventure.

One of the camp’s unique features was that every participant received their own “passport” on the very first day. By the end of the week, these passports were filled with stickers depicting the flags of the countries they had “visited,” giving each child a special keepsake to remember their journey around the world.

Creativity also played an important role throughout the week. The children made masks, room decorations, 3D monsters out of cardboard boxes, and clay figures, while also having the chance to draw and make bracelets. The various arts and crafts activities encouraged everyone to use their imagination and experiment with new techniques.

Of course, the children had plenty of outdoor fun as well. Almost every day, we visited a nearby park, where the participants enjoyed team games, skill-based challenges, and lots of laughter. They quickly discovered their favorites: games such as Hi-Ha-Ho, Chicken-Fox-Snake, and musical chairs became so popular that, at the children’s request, several of them returned to the program on the final day of the camp.

Language-learning activities were another important part of the week. Through playful games and interactive tasks, the children practiced their Romanian skills while also having many opportunities to communicate in English with our international volunteers. Thanks to the multilingual name tags they received on the first day, they also learned how to introduce themselves in different languages.

At the end of each day, we took time to reflect on our experiences together. Using a feelings wheel, the children shared how they felt by expressing their thoughts through drawings or a few simple words. It was wonderful to see that almost all of their feedback throughout the week reflected just how much they had enjoyed the camp.

Friday’s pizza party and face painting activity provided the perfect ending to our first camp. Although many of the children were sad to say goodbye at the end of the week, we are delighted that we were able to create so many happy memories and smiles. It was an unforgettable experience for our volunteers as well, and we are already looking forward to the upcoming summer camps of the Short Term Summer Fun project.

News

We were delighted to welcome the short-term ESC volunteers participating in our Short Term Summer Fun project. Over the coming weeks, they will actively contribute to summer programmes organised across the Székelykeresztúr micro-region.

The volunteers will spend a total of 59 days in our community. During this time, they will take part in organising and delivering nine summer camps. The camps will be held between June 20 and September 10 in Székelykeresztúr and the surrounding settlements.

Our first day together was filled with positive energy and great conversations. We had the opportunity to get to know the volunteers, learn more about their personalities, interests and motivations. At the same time, they gained an insight into the work of our association, met our team and learned more about our goals and the communities we work with.

During the programme, the volunteers also had the chance to explore our small town, Székelykeresztúr. They discovered some of its most important places, experienced its atmosphere and learned more about everyday life in the local community. This first day was not only about orientation, but also marked the beginning of a new and diverse community.

Throughout the project, the volunteers will support the implementation of various educational, recreational, cultural and community-building activities. Their creativity, experience and international perspectives will help create meaningful and memorable summer programmes for the participating children and young people.

The weeks ahead promise to be busy, exciting and full of new experiences. The nine camps will bring plenty of opportunities for teamwork, learning, meeting new people and creating unforgettable memories for both the volunteers and the local communities.

We hope that the relationships formed and the experiences gained throughout the project will have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

We are looking forward to a fantastic and truly eventful summer!

Follow our website and social media pages, where we will regularly share updates about the camps and our experiences together. We will also introduce each of our volunteers in the coming weeks.

News

   In the middle of June, one member of our organization, together with two members of the local Synergy group, travelled to Georgia as part of an Erasmus+ KA2 project. During the visit, we learned from the programmes and experience of our partner organization, DRONI. The main goal was to discover the methods and good practices they use to successfully reach, engage, and motivate young people in their local community.

Where did it all start?

In Cristuru Secuiesc, our organization, leads monthly Synergy meetings, where representatives of local institutions and organizations come together. Through presentations, discussions, and joint activities, participants learn from one another and work together to create more opportunities for everyone in the community, especially young people, to take an active role in the cultural and social life of the town and the surrounding region.

After several years of successful cooperation, this local initiative grew into an international Erasmus+ partnership project called “Synergy of Practices to Counter Civic Apathy Among Young People in Central and Eastern Europe.” The project brings together organizations from Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine to learn from each other’s work through study visits, exchange experiences, and develop new methods that encourage young people to become more active in their communities.

During our visit to Georgia, we discovered many inspiring initiatives, but what impressed us the most was the enthusiasm and motivation of the local young people.

Although Georgia is not part of the European Union and young people often have fewer opportunities than their peers in EU countries, this has created a strong interest in non-formal education and the programmes offered by youth organizations. Everywhere we went, we could feel their curiosity, commitment, and willingness to learn.

Kornis Melinda, a member of the Synergy group, shared one of her favourite experiences: “One of the most inspiring practices was DRONI’s DroniCoins strategy. Young people receive virtual coins for volunteering and participating in different activities. Later, they can exchange these coins for different rewards and learning opportunities. It is a creative way to motivate young people and encourage active participation.”

We also visited the public library in Zugdidi and one of its community branches, where young volunteers organize reading clubs, book walks, lecture series, and even a Night at the Library programme, all without financial rewards or complicated bureaucracy. Their dedication showed how much can be achieved when young people are trusted and given ownership.

Our hosts also introduced us to the Eurobus initiative, which organizes educational trips across the Caucasus region. During these trips, young people learn about volunteering, Erasmus+, and international opportunities.

We were not only observers during the visit, we also became active participants. Each international team prepared a workshop and delivered it to local groups in a rotating format. As Melinda described: “It was a great experience to work directly with the local young people. Their interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn were truly inspiring.”

The following day, in Batumi, we also had the opportunity to see how Eurobus activities can be adapted for young people with special needs. We explored different games and quizzes and discussed how they can be used in inclusive youth work.


Of course, the visit was not only about professional learning. We also experienced Georgian hospitality and traditions: At the library, we tasted elarji, a traditional Georgian dish made from just two ingredients: cornmeal and stretchy local cheese. Our hosts also organized a khachapuri cooking workshop, where we prepared one of Georgia’s most famous dishes ourselves.

This study visit was much more than a professional experience, it was also a personal development. It reminded us that meaningful youth participation starts with creating opportunities for young people to learn through experience, build communities, and take an active role in shaping their environment.

We are returning home with many new ideas and practical methods that we would like to adapt to our own community. The experiences and good practices we gained will be used in the future to strengthen our local communities and to engage and involve young people even more effectively. We came home with plenty of new ideas. Who knows, maybe in the near future we will even develop a city-wide reward point system for active young people…

 

News

Some days ago, we visited a school in Eliseni and the town hall of Secuieni, bringing a variety of activities and materials with us. We organized workshops for children, teenagers (from first to eighth grade), and adults. For our group, the workshop process began earlier with the planning, writing, and organization of the activities we wanted to offer to the participants.

Our main activity focused on upcycling. After showing a short introductory video on the topic and discussing how waste materials can be transformed into something new and useful, we moved on to the practical part.

The participants worked in small groups to design and create a game from scratch, such as a basketball court, using only the recyclable materials we had brought with us, including cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, markers, and colored paper. Alongside this main activity, we played games and dedicated our attention to the participants, ensuring that they felt appreciated, valued, and supported throughout the process.

During the evaluation session at the Yellow House, we concluded that we had successfully engaged many participants and sparked interest and curiosity about sustainability in some of them.

At one point, Mate joined the conversation and said something we will not forget: “We, ATA, are the opportunity these children have.” This idea completely changed the way we viewed the workshops and the project as a whole.

Our main goal was not simply to involve participants in activities. Our most important objective was to be there. Simply being present meant showing them new perspectives and possibilities they may not have known existed. These workshops are not about us or our performance in the classroom. They are about the participants, for the participants, and created together with the participants, regardless of who facilitates them.

Therefore, our primary objective is to be present and active. That day, we made them laugh, run, create, and explore. Not every participant became fully involved, but every one of them witnessed and experienced a workshop based on non-formal education.

We still have room to improve as educators, and we are aware of that. However, we were there, and we shared that experience with them. We believe that this is what truly matters.

News

Before starting the project, I was motivated by the idea of contributing to an initiative that creates opportunities for young people in Transylvania, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Green Growth project focuses on developing non-formal educational workshops for young students and adults, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and green development.

During the project, we visited different schools and had the opportunity to engage with students from the same region but with diverse life experiences and backgrounds.

What I did not fully anticipate was what I would discover once I arrived.

The idea of community-based education has always resonated with me. I believe that meaningful learning happens when it is connected to real places, real people, and, most importantly, real needs. The Green Growth workshops were designed not only to teach sustainability concepts but also to encourage young people in Transylvania to think creatively about their environment and their future. In many schools, we worked with disadvantaged students who had never encountered these topics before and might not have had the opportunity to learn about them otherwise.

I also wanted to move beyond the role of an observer. I had previously worked alongside vulnerable communities, and each experience left me with the same realization: proximity matters, but it is not enough. I wanted to contribute to something tangible, and this project gave me that opportunity.

What struck me most was not the lack of resources that many children experienced, as I had expected that to some extent. Instead, it was the quiet details of everyday life that I had not imagined. Several children had cuts on their fingers from chopping wood at home. One child told me, almost casually, that for his birthday he had received a glass of water and a piece of chocolate. Others were being raised by older siblings because their parents had left for seasonal work and returned only when they could.

These were not stories of exceptional hardship for them. They were simply part of daily life. Yet every group we worked with was full of creativity. Every child possessed a natural imagination that they poured into their creations during the workshops. That was what made the experience both joyful and heartbreaking: knowing that not all of them regularly have access to spaces where they can freely express themselves and create. For some, this workshop may have been one of the few occasions when someone sat beside them and said, “Your ideas matter.”

Seeing the children happy and fully engaged in the activities helped me understand the true value of community-based projects. Such initiatives meet people where they are. They do not expect disadvantaged communities to come to resources; instead, they bring resources directly to them. They build upon the strengths that already exist within local communities: creativity, resilience, and knowledge. Workshops like these offer children a valuable opportunity to feel included, to be seen, and to participate in activities that spark curiosity and encourage new ideas.

There were moments that were emotionally difficult to process. Witnessing the gap between what these children deserve and the circumstances in which many of them are growing up was challenging. Yet I also left with something unexpected: hope.

The same children who faced significant hardships were remarkably curious, imaginative, and eager to learn. Their potential was never the issue; access to opportunities was. This realization reinforced my belief that inequality is not only about material deprivation but also about unequal access to spaces where creativity, critical thinking, and personal development can flourish. It reminded me how important it is to create environments that allow every child to explore their abilities and imagine a future beyond the limitations imposed by their circumstances.

I hope that my contribution, however small and temporary, added something meaningful to the experience of those students. I hope they enjoyed the workshops and found them interesting, but most importantly, I hope the activities sparked their curiosity to explore new topics, such as sustainability, more deeply. I hope they felt, even for a brief moment, that someone showed up for them and valued their ideas beyond the classroom.

What I am taking away from this experience is harder to summarize. I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to work with communities rather than simply for them. I was reminded that some of the most important skills are the ability to listen, to be present, and to allow people to surprise us with their imagination and insights.

My goal was never to present a single correct solution to issues such as recycling. Instead, I wanted to show that every new idea has value and that meaningful change happens when people grow together. The image of a room full of children, some living in very difficult conditions, creating something together with enthusiasm and joy, is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

News

As part of our Short-Term European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering project within ATA Green Growth, our team organized four environmental education workshops for children from the local school in Atid/Etéd. The workshops aimed to promote sustainability, environmental awareness, and responsible everyday practices through interactive learning.

The workshops were the result of several days of preparation. As ESC volunteers, we worked closely together to design educational games and activities focused on ecology, recycling, waste reduction, and environmental protection. Significant effort also went into preparing the materials, with cutting, crafting, and assembling done by hand to create an engaging and hands-on learning experience for the children.

One memorable aspect of the preparation process was witnessing Miriam’s exceptional paper-cutting skills, which brought creativity and precision to many of the materials used during the activities.

The success of the workshops was also supported by the diverse strengths within the volunteer team. Alexis

 demonstrated strong leadership skills, helping coordinate activities and ensuring smooth implementation across all sessions. Lillian contributed greatly through his charisma and positive energy, quickly building a strong connection with the children and encouraging their active participation. Jakub showed consistent dedication and reliability, support

ing both the preparation phase and the workshops themselves, and contributing significantly to the overall success of the project.

During the workshops, the children actively participated in games, discussions, and team challenges designed to encourage learning through experience. The activities allowed them to explore environmental topics in an accessible and engaging way, while also encouraging reflection on how everyday choices can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Beyond the educational component, the events created a space for meaningful interaction between ESC volunteers and the children, fostering collaboration, curiosity, and exchange of ideas. The positive atmosphere throughout all sessions made the experience both impactful and rewarding.

Although a great deal of preparation took place behind the scenes, seeing the children engaged, curious, and motivated to learn made all the effort worthwhile. We hope these workshops inspired them to continue exploring environmental topics and to take small but meaningful steps toward protecting the environment in their daily lives.

News

Last week, our short-term ESC project Green Growth officially began, welcoming 12 international volunteers from Hungary, Tunisia, France, Italy, Germany, and Poland. The young participants will spend two weeks in Cristuru Secuiesc and the surrounding area, working together to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and community involvement.

 

The Green Growth project is implemented through the framework of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), with the main goal of raising awareness about environmental protection, recycling, and sustainable living. Throughout the project, the volunteers are not only participating in hands-on activities, but also closely collaborating with local communities and young people. 

During these two weeks, the volunteers will carry out three mini-projects in Cristuru Secuiesc, Újszékely, and Etéd commune. As part of these activities, they will organize a total of 16 workshops for children, young people, and local residents. The workshops will focus on sustainability, recycling, environmental protection, and eco-friendly everyday practices through creative and interactive non-formal education methods.

In addition to the educational activities, the team will also organize 3 community clean-up actions aimed at improving local environments while encouraging community participation and responsibility. Through these initiatives, the volunteers hope to show that even small actions can create meaningful positive change when people work together for a greener future. 

By the end of the project, the participants will also create educational videos presenting their experiences, project activities, and practical environmental protection tips. These videos will help spread awareness online and encourage other young people to become more active in volunteering and sustainability-related initiatives.

For us, Green Growth is about much more than environmental protection. It is also about intercultural learning, community building, solidarity, and creating new international friendships. We are extremely happy to host such a diverse and motivated group of young people in our community, and we are proud to work together towards a more sustainable and conscious future. 💚♻️

News

Sometimes people simply arrive in a place.
And sometimes people bring life with them.

Eight months ago, eleven young women from eleven different countries arrived in Cristuru Secuiesc as part of the 11th edition of the “Development Support from Transylvania” ESC project. At that time, they were strangers to one another. Different languages, different stories, different dreams.

The 11th edition of Development Support from Transylvania turned out to be special in many ways.

For us, these eight months became much more than a volunteering project. It felt more like a long story that we continued writing together day after day. A story filled with laughter, tired but happy evenings, shared dinners, spontaneous adventures, and moments that will never be forgotten.

The first days were all about getting to know each other. New rooms, new streets, a new language, new people. Then, somehow, almost without noticing, everything changed. Shared breakfasts turned into long conversations. Activities became inside jokes. And strangers became people who were there for each other even on the difficult days.

And in the meantime, something truly beautiful happened.

During these eight months, the volunteers reached more than 800 children through workshops, English-language activities, cultural programs, and non-formal educational sessions. They were present in schools, kindergartens, community events, local programs, and the activities of the Three Doves Association.

The kindergarten activities became an especially important part of the project. The children quickly got used to and grew attached to the volunteers. The games, songs, and creative activities always brought joy and positive energy. These moments gave not only the children new experiences but also meant a great deal to the volunteers themselves.

Another important element of the project was the Travelling School program, where children had the opportunity to discover English, other cultures, and creative activities in a playful and engaging way. Interactive workshops, team-building games, and cultural sessions brought color and inspiration to the everyday lives of many young people.

But this project was never only about workshops and events.

It was also about the moments when a real community was formed.

About baking gingerbread together before Christmas.

About handing out flowers in town on International Women’s Day.

About career guidance sessions organized for local young people.

About inspiring conversations with women and about women.

About the theatre group, where many participants found the courage to truly open up for the first time.

About the workshops at the Christmas Market.

About the weaving and furniture-painting activities created together.

During these months, an Instagram page was also launched to share the atmosphere, stories, and everyday life of Cristuru Secuiesc from a different perspective. A volunteer blog was created as well, where the girls could share their thoughts, experiences, and emotions.

There were exhibitions, barbecue evenings, spontaneous picnics, and movie nights.

There were shared breakfasts before busy days.

Countless birthdays celebrated together.

Long evenings filled with conversations on the sofa.

Quiet moments of rest in the garden after demanding days.

Together they travelled to many places:
to the Christmas Market in Sibiu,
to Harghita for skiing,
or to learn how to make traditional Transylvanian laska.

They also took part in the “The Angel Brings It” Christmas campaign, delivering gifts to children.

There were hundreds of kilometers travelled by bus, bicycle, on foot, and by plane.

There were evenings filled with laughter and endless conversations.

And of course, there were difficult days too, when they found strength in one another.

I believe this is what made the project truly special.

Because by the end of the project, we no longer saw eleven volunteer girls.

We saw eleven people who had found a home alongside one another.

And when the time came to say goodbye…

the tears came too.

Those honest, quiet tears that only appear when we know something truly meaningful has come to an end.

And yet, somehow, it did not really end.

Because genuine human connections do not disappear with a plane ticket or a farewell hug.

These eleven young women left a piece of themselves here in Cristuru Secuiesc.

And I believe we left a small piece of Transylvania in them as well.

Thank you for everything.

For your smiles.

For your energy.

For your hugs.

For the endless conversations.

For your work.

And for the love you brought into this community.

You will always remain part of the Development Support from Transylvania family.

News

I am very happy to share with you that applications are now officially open for the 12th edition of our long-term ESC volunteering project “Development Support from Transylvania”, which will take place from October 2026 until May 2027 in Cristuru Secuiesc, Romania.

I am especially proud that this is already the 12th edition of the project. Over the years, we have managed to build a stable, supportive, and international community. Volunteers from many different European countries have joined us throughout previous editions, contributing to the local community while also gaining unforgettable experiences and personal growth.

At ATA, we have been working for more than 15 years to bring Europe closer to Transylvania and Transylvania closer to Europe. During these years, we have organized numerous international projects, worked with hundreds of young people, and hosted both short- and long-term volunteers from different parts of the world.

The aim of the “Development Support from Transylvania” project is to support the development of the local community through the involvement of international volunteers. Volunteers can participate in various activities such as organizing school and community programs, language activities in English and Romanian, sustainability and environmental initiatives, and inclusion activities supporting young people with disabilities.

The project offers two main volunteering opportunities:
• NGO Support – supporting NGO and community activities
• Inclusion Support – working together with children and young people with disabilities in partner institutions

For me, this project is not only about volunteering, but also about community, personal development, human connections, and meaningful experiences that stay with you for a lifetime. I truly believe this experience benefits both the local community and the volunteers themselves.

We provide volunteers with:
• accommodation
• travel reimbursement
• monthly food and pocket money
• health insurance
• mentoring and language support

We are looking for young people aged 18–30 who are open-minded, motivated to learn and grow, and excited to become part of a small-town community in the heart of Transylvania.

📌 Application deadline: June 25

How to apply

Please send your CV in English and your motivation letter to:
📧 office.ata@gmail.com

Additionally, please complete the application form here:
👉 https://forms.gle/rcA8VNysfrCbbV4V7

Infopack

If you would like to know more details about the project, activities, accommodation, and the hosting community, you can check the full infopack here:
👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1opzi-QtIG3GlcRnq6ub8pOxi4H_-asDx/view?usp=sharing

What is volunteering life like with us?

If you would like to get a better feeling of what ESC volunteering looks like in our organization, check out the videos from our previous ESC teams:

🎥 2024–2025 ESC team video:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uopP72FYlgk

🎥 2025–2026 ESC team video:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYDuad6FPxA

For more updates and information, follow our social media pages — more details are coming soon!