News

As the most beautiful time of the year approached, we enjoyed Christmas as much as our children, immersing ourselves in their illusion and joy to learn and discover new things every day. In the Hungarian culture, which is present in our village, Cristuru Secuiesc, Santa Claus visits the children for the first time on December 5th at night. On that same day, “Mikulás” came to pay a little visit to the children and gave them a present, without forgetting about us.

Meanwhile, during this last month of the year, the teachers dedicated themselves, among many other things, to prepare the triumphant Christmas market that they hold every year, where we did our little bit. In the market, we were able to interact with parents, teachers, assistants and children, having a great time with them outside our usual schedule. Before starting, the children sang a carol that they had prepared in advance, which we ended up trying to learn. This not only helped us to understand better the language but also to integrate with them more deeply.

Later on, when the second date of Santa’s arrival approached, he left great gifts for the children, that also welcomed Anna, who had just joined the kindergarten.

In addition to this, we participated in other interesting activities; Natalia attended a photo session with her children; Anna went to the radio together with her class, where they distributed gifts to children with fewer opportunities and Nerea brought gingerbread cookies that her children decorated to their liking.

Working with children for two months has an effect both on ourselves and on them, the ones we are here for. As time goes by, we become closer to them and begin to understand them better and better, even without knowing their language. We feel their energy, warmth and welcome as we work with them. However, it doesn´t feel like a job for us, but as an enriching experience that fills us with satisfaction and mutual learning. 

In this period of time, we have been able to observe how the children remember some English words and even try to use them when communicating with us. For instance, it makes us incredibly happy to be part of their learning process and see how they apply it to everyday life— like when they are painting and suddenly tell you the colors in English or make the effort to say “thank you” or “goodbye” showing their gratitude for our presence.

Every moment with them is unique. For example, when they make the effort to learn our names or when they remember little details about us or moments we lived toguether with them before. Without any doubt, these have been an incredible months, surrounded by wonderful teachers and our little ones, who teach us as much or even more than we teach them.

News

At Három Galamb Association, a variety of interconnected activities take place, all aligned with a common goal: to provide young people – as we call them in the centre –  with a routine marked by the lunar calendar. This yearly cycle not only brings meaning to their lives but also highlights significant events to be celebrated collectively, such as Christmas and its markets.  

Each Christmas market we participate in, is unique, with its own mix of participants and products. However, the preparation process remains the same: months of brainstorming, gathering, crafting, cooking and labelling. Every detail is planned and executed by a team of young people, teachers, volunteers and relatives, working hand in hand with coordination. The result of such effort is a variety of items we produce, ranging from flavourful chutneys to bookmarks, felted fairies, soaps and cookies. I even had the chance to make a traditional sweet from my region called panellets, made with sweet potatoes. Although they didn’t sell particularly well, I felt immense joy in showcasing a piece of my culture – a fulfilling experience.  

At the Christmas market in Miercurea Ciuc, we set up our space with high hopes and enjoyed a wonderful time selling, buying and even searching for lángos. The hard work paid off. Similarly, at the Christmas market in Odorheiu Secuiesc, although I couldn’t stay until the end, we managed to decorate our tent more elaborately. It looked fantastic! Events like these make you realise the immense effort everyone puts in, especially the young participants, who take pride in selling the items they have carefully crafted together.  

Apart from the Christmas markets, we were also preparing a theatre play depicting the nativity scene. Music served as the guiding thread of the performance, with songs linking each part of the story. Each of us had a specific role; for instance, I played one of the shepherds. 

Even now, as we create more projects, the young people eagerly ask “What is this for?”. Their excitement to share their daily creations is infectious.  When people ask me about our work, I always answer: that to live our lives to the fullest in a respectful environment where we learn how to interact with one another, manage our emotions and communicate effectively. This commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding allows us to continue working together, no matter our differences.

News

Hello, my name is Maria Chițea. I’m 23 years old and I come from Brașov, Romania. I got to be a volunteer in ESC last year and it was a nice and fun experience. I volunteered in a Sports oriented Kindergarten in a town in Germany, called Potsdam. At first, I didn’t really know what to expect, cause it was a very new experience for me to work with kids and also in a country, away from my family and friends. The city itself, wasn’t new to me, because I visited already a few years back, and I loved it.

The kindergarten ” Schulplatz 1″, where I volunteered, was a small one, with only 57 kids. So there were only 3 groups of kids with ages 2-6 year old. I got to work at first with 4-5 year old children. Slowly, I got to know every group of kids and I enjoyed that. At first, I found it a bit difficult to connect with the kids, because I didn’t really know how to do it and what to do to get them to like me. But slowly, I became their friend and started to be seen as a play partner, whom they can trust.

Not only was I a play partner, I had a lot of other thinks to do, such as to help the teachers to organize fun activities for the kids (ex. games, reading activities, making fruit salads, doing massages with massage balls/ tools etc.). Another task of mine was to support the kids during lunch and snack time and also during nap time.

In a year, I got really close to my group of kids and I learned so much about them. I also got to attend a sport event made especially for kids, where they could show their abilities (how fast they are, how responsive they are, to show up for their teammates…). This event made me think, that I actually enjoy being surrounded by them and would like to start a career as a kindergarten teacher. So I decided to do exactly that and I’m happy about that.

So, I can totally say, that this project was eye-opening for me and showed me that I needed to work with kids to be truly happy. I’m very thankful for everyone I met during this amazing project, including my teachers, the other volunteers ( who I met at the seminars along the way and also my roommates), and my mentors. I recommend to everyone to do such a project.

News

We have reached our second key milestone in the YouthINC: Empowering the Voices of Youth for Diversity and Inclusion project!

Our methodological and technical guides for youth workers and educators are now ready for use. These resources offer innovative tools and insights for finding and honoring invisible heroes within communities through storytelling and virtual monument creation.

Available in Hungarian, English, and Romanian, these guides include case studies, workshop concepts, and technical instructions to help youth workers inspire critical thinking, creativity, and inclusion in their activities.

Download the guides from here:
– Guide-HU
– Guide-RO
– Guide-EN
– Tech Guide HU
– Tech Guide RO
– Tech Guide EN

News

The Green It Up project has officially come to an end, leaving a lasting impact on the local community of Cristuru Secuiesc. Designed to enhance environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices, the project engaged over 280 participants throughout the year in a variety of interactive activities and workshops.

The initiative focused on four main themes: biodiversity, selective waste collection and recycling, upcycling and composting, and the reduction of water and air pollution. Through engaging workshops and practical events, participants gained hands-on experience and knowledge to incorporate eco-friendly habits into their daily lives.

Among the key activities were the Big Cleaning Day, the construction of bee hotels and bird feeders, and upcycling workshops. These initiatives not only encouraged responsible environmental behavior but also strengthened the community’s commitment to sustainability. The involvement of a diverse range of participants, from young students to adults, highlighted the widespread interest and need for such programs.

As the project concludes, its legacy remains. The planted flovers, the installed bee hotels, and the knowledge shared will continue to benefit the community. Green It Up has successfully demonstrated that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant environmental change. A heartfelt thank you to all participants and supporters who contributed to making this project a success!

For the workshop presentations and tools click HERE.

News

Are you ready to connect, learn, and create new opportunities for your youth organization? Seeking to collaborate with youth workers from across Europe and gain new insights into the challenges and solutions in youth work?

Join us for “Unite for Change” – a dynamic, community-building event for youth workers in Tábor, Czech Republic from April 24-29, 2025!

 

 

What is Unite for Change?

This 4-day intensive networking and community-building activity will bring together youth workers and educators from various youth organizations. Together, we’ll:

– Exchange best practices and learn from each other
– Discuss the challenges we face in youth work and find solutions
– Plan new projects and activities, forging lasting international partnerships
– Gain fresh motivation and ideas to fuel future projects

Who can participate?

This training is designed for:

– Youth workers currently involved in organizing international projects
– Active participants who are eager to share their best practices and contribute to group activities
– Individuals fluent in English
– Youth workers available between April 24-29, 2025

Why should you apply?

– Gain valuable knowledge from diverse experiences across youth work
– Build meaningful partnerships with other professionals from various countries
– Collaboratively develop new initiatives that will help tackle common challenges
– Enjoy the beautiful city of Tábor, a historical town in South Bohemia
– Accommodation at Hotel Palcát near a tranquil lake, perfect for outdoor activities

 

Participation in the training is free, with travel, accommodation, and meals provided by the Erasmus+ program.

Before submitting your application, please carefully read the English information package available HERE to be fully informed.

You can apply by filling out the online questionnaire available HERE until December 10, 2024!

News

Are you working with ESC and local volunteers and finding it challenging to keep everyone on the same page? Have you noticed that tools and methods that worked perfectly in the past no longer seem effective?

You’re not alone – this is a natural challenge. That’s why we’ve been developing new, practical tools and activities tailored to the needs of the new generation.

 

 

We are inviting you to a wonderful small town in Italy with a breathtaking seaside which waits for you to equip you with practical tools and skills to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments in your ESC volunteer projects and not just so.

 

Who can participate in the training?

• Motivated youth workers from ROMANIA who have turned 18 and are working with ESC volunteers
• Those who speaks English at a good communication level
• Those who are blessed with good communication skills
• Those interested in improving their working system with their volunteers
• Those available between 16-23rd of Januar, 2025
• Those willing to share what they have learned and achieved during the training after the activities

 

Participation in the training is free, with travel, accommodation, and meals provided by the Erasmus+ program.

Before submitting your application, please carefully read the English visual information package HERE and the more detailed information Padlet HERE to be fully informed.

You can apply on the following link by clicking HERE until November 29, 2024!

News

Our local youth had the opportunity to travel to Spain, where they could learn about personal and environmental self-care in a family-like atmosphere from October 1 to 9, 2024. These aspects promote individual well-being and foster deeper connections with the community and the environment. Six young people from Transylvania participated in the “Ruralize You! – Disconnect to Reconnect” youth exchange, along with participants from Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. Their detailed report is as follows:


“When we arrived, there was a special energy in the air. Not only were we excited about meeting new people, but we were also thrilled by the opportunity to represent Transylvania in such an international program. The day started with introductions and an explanation of the program’s goals. During the “Agree, Neutral or Disagree” game, I already felt that this was not going to be an ordinary activity – they really wanted to go deeper with emotions and relationships. During the evening’s intercultural presentation, Spain showcased its culture, which had a great impact on us: the music, the dance, and the stories completely captivated us.


The second day was perhaps one of the most defining. During the “Looking to ourselves” and “Recognising Emotions” sessions, we confronted our own inner feelings and fears. It deeply touched me how open we became with each other, and we felt increasingly connected not only with ourselves but also with others. The day ended with a magical Spanish cultural night, further strengthening the sense of international unity.


The third day provided perhaps the deepest spiritual experience. In the “The value of the present moment” session, we learned how important it is to live in the present and appreciate what we have now. During the “Emotions channelling techniques” session, we learned different methods to manage and process the tensions within us. In the evening, we hosted the Romanian cultural night, which was a fantastic success! Our music, folk dances, and food filled us with warmth and pride, making this night unforgettable.


On the fourth day,  we had the chance to relax a bit and enjoy the program’s venue. During our free time, we visited Malaga, swam in the ocean, and enjoyed the city’s diversity. This day was not only a physical but also a mental recharge. These first days brought not only experiences but also deep emotional bonds with the rest of the group. Representing ATA as a local volunteer group in such an international program was a great honor, and day by day, we felt more connected with the participants, sharing each other’s cultures and experiences.


Sunday was a truly active and busy day. We visited a wonderful place, the Caminito del Rey canyon. The hike took about two hours, and it was a beautiful place, though also tiring, but overall, we had a great time.


On the seventh day, we set out again. We started the morning with yoga at an authentic yoga studio. Most of us had no previous yoga experience, so this was truly memorable. We experienced the balance between body and soul, first with physical exercises, then with mental meditation. Afterwards, we headed for volunteer work, dividing into teams to clean up the area around the road leading to the city, thus learning the value of community work. After lunch, we had some free time in Álora, during which we visited the swimming pool and explored the city. The day ended with the Polish and Portuguese cultural night, where we tried a traditional Polish game and learned Portuguese dances. It was an exhausting but very fulfilling day.

On the eighth day, we spent the morning getting to know and completing the Youthpass, then in the afternoon, we had the final evaluation of the week. In the evening, we reached our last program: the farewell party. It was really hard to return to reality and accept that we had to say goodbye. This week left lasting memories for all of us, as we discovered a piece of ourselves and the world as well.”

News

We have reached the first milestone of our project YouthINC: Empowering the Voices of Youth for Diversity and Inclusion.

In June 2024, three youth workers from each of the six partner countries (Hungary, Romania, Germany, Kosovo, Albania, and Israel) participated in a training session in Kosovo. During this training, they explored methodologies such as Philosophy of Childres, The Way Council, and Interfaith Encounters in detail.

The handbook, which contains the material from the training, provides guidance for youth workers, educators, and facilitators on how to use these methods. It is now ready for publication.

The handbook can be downloaded in Hungarian, English, and Romanian from here.

News

Are you ready to explore Paris, meet new friends, and develop your own projects?

 

 

Join us in Sarcelles, France, for an exciting youth exchange focused on cultural exchange, creativity, and gaining project management experience.

Who can participate in the training?

• 7 motivated youngsters between 18-25 years old
• One leader who has turned 20 years old
• Those interested in cultural diversity, teamwork, and personal growth
• Those available between 26. November and 04. December 2024
• Those who are not afraid of being active in a multinational community
• Those willing to share what they have learned and achieved during the training after the activities

 

Participation in the youth exchange is free, with travel, accommodation, and meals provided by the Erasmus+ program.

Before submitting your application, please carefully read the English information package available HERE to be fully informed.

You can apply by filling out the online questionnaire available HERE until 15th of October, 2024!