I am Vesile Yücel, I´m 24 years old. I am a graduate of Anatolian High School, I studied 112 health primary and emergency services at the university. In 2017, I went to university to study Paramedic First and Emergency Aid and took part in various volunteer activities at my university.
I have undertaken and implemented voluntary work such as aged care centres, child welfare institutions and food distribution to the homeless. I gave voluntary trainings to the local people in order to meet the blood needs of children with leukemia and to inform them about health. I like to help people.
I want to communicate and learn about the culture and history of the place I am visiting.
I arranged health checks and living conditions. I was also interested in nutrition and sports order. Then I voluntarily cared for premature twin babies at home. After my process was over, I organized volunteer activities at the orphanage. I worked voluntarily in the fields of solidarity and psychological interaction in the elderly care center. I arrived in Romania at the beginning of January.
I’m here because I love helping small communities. I feel good here because I can interact with many people during the day and do good. I love doing social activities with children in kindergartens. Due to my profession, I wanted help and learn form this area and this region.
I am here because I think I’d be too active voluntarily in this situation. I would like to be supported by your community for performing any task on time and diligently. I love getting to know people and their cultures. I am happy to meet and help more people. Being here will contribute to my future idea of working and volunteering in Europe, learning a better language and helping more people.
In this process, I will learn culture and order better. Children and youth are the future of a nation.
The last transnational meeting of the STEP1 project took place between 16-17 November in Poland. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the implemented activities, as well as the final results of the project. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Portuguese associations, Spanish and Greek partner organisations, our own team and the Polish partner, who also hosted us this time. 
The primary objective of the project was to increase the number of local volunteers and to involve and prepare young people for volunteering. For our part, we can say that during the 24-month term, we involved 242 young people in the project at local level, organized 4 events dedicated to the project, which was about promoting local volunteering opportunities, enriched our team with 7 local volunteers, thanks to which we currently count 28 local volunteers. The last local event of the project will be organised at the end of this month, on this event we would like to present the results of the project to the local community. 
At the same time, near the presentations, we had the opportunity to take part in a snowy trip in, the majority of the team visited the Samotnia peak, the weather was foggy, but the fresh mountain air was refreshing for us. 
The project was supported by the Portuguese National Agency under Erasmus+ Youth in Action. Associations involved in the project: Just Do It (Poland), You in Europe (Greece), Imagina (Spain), Casa da Juventude de Amarante (Portugal), initiated by Psíentifica (Portugal).
The Partnership Building Activity on SYNERGIES was an Erasmus+ training course that ATA was doing between November 4 and 10 as part of our Youth Accreditation and it hosted 23 youth workers, project managers and staff members of 15 different youth organizations from across 11 European countries.
On the first day we discovered who everyone is, the mobility program, objectives, our community, and our NGOs, all this through non-formal and teambuilding activities. The day ended with an intercultural snack night.
The second day made sure that all participants understand the (common) past of the 15 associations present in the meeting and the concept of synergies on local and international level. For this, we made 4 different sessions where everyone could share their own experiences and best practices in different interactive formats.
On day three, the 23 youth workers and NGO staff mainly concentrated on sharing best practices and experiences connected to communication (with target groups, stakeholders, and partners), cooperation and project management. We did this both with non-formal activities and hands-on presentations or debates. It was a day full of learning.
Day four started with 3 study visits to regional partners of ATA. First, we went to the Kilátó Association which does sustainability actions for the community and to the Three Doves Association, which works for the integration of the disabled, both in Porumbeni Mici. Before lunch, we went to the Berde Mozes Unitarian Highschool, our long standing partner in Cristuru Secuiesc. In the afternoon, we had the chance to see best practices from our partners from Europe and had a debate on participation fees in Erasmus+
Day five was extremely busy. First, all the 7 partners with Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation and ESC Quality Label have presented their upcoming projects for 2023 and 2024 and put these of the timeline in the wall. There were 20 Youth Exchanges, 15 Training Courses, 22 Long ESC and 17 Teams ESC projects presented. After this, in the afternoon, the group has gone to Sighisoara Medieval Fortress for a cultural break.
On the sixth day, we made 13 open space sessions, and in each, 3 parallel sessions were held to understand each mobility, define objectives, activities and target groups, see who can be sending organization in the 72 Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps mobilities we will do in 2023 and 2024.
On the last day we made our final commitments towards the partnerships that have been built, we made a short visit to the local museum. In the afternoon the youth workers reflected on their learning, wrote about their achievements and we evaluated the meeting. For closing, we had a Youthpass ceremony.
The fruits of this PBA will be visible in our town and abroad with the youth exchanges training courses and volunteering projects we and our partners will do together in the next 2 years.
First, there were five, then there were four – now there are five again, still counting though.
At the beginning of our 10-month volunteering experience, there were 5 of us young folk from all over Europe. We had Nerea and Abril from Spain, Timotej from Slovakia, Quentin from France, and Jaanus from Estonia. We were a colourful little group. All motivated and ready to work. During our first days, we visited many places and many people we would work with work at in the future. Unfortunately, a 10-months long volunteering period could be challenging, especially for those who never lived in any other place, but at home. A few days passes, and it became clear, that our youngest volunteer, Abril, was not ready for such a big change. Eve her motivation could not overcome her homesickness. In the end, she went back to Spain. The rest of us continued our daily lives here, sort of forming 2 teams.
Timotej and Nerea were one of these dynamic duos, helping out in the local kindergarten and disabled centre. They love working with kids, and the kids seem to love working and playing with them. And I would say the same when it comes to young adults with special needs. Of course, time will tell, but I am optimistic. And I feel like, working with these amazing young adults might be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding.
Timotej is a young volunteer from a small village near Košice in Slovakia. He came here, to Cristuru Secuiesc, because he wanted to see new places and meet new people. He always liked to help others and improve the world we live in little by little. He is motivated and hopes that he can be at least a little help in the life of the community.
Nerea flew all the way from Spain to a wintery Romania in order to become a volunteer here at ATA. She enjoys singing, learning new skills, discovering new places, and loves working with others. This might be the secret to why she is so good with kids. She is motivated to learn some Hungarian and Romanian. So please, feel free to say hi to her at the market.
Quentin and Jaanus however spent most of their time helping the local herbalist lady, Naomi, with different activities such as, for example, wildberry picking. Spending time in nature is quite calming, and seeing the surroundings change, the transition from green to orange, brown, and red is beautiful. It almost made up for the lack of cinema in the town. I honestly cannot wait for the first snow, and yes, I know it is a bit early for that, but still. One can dream!
Now, Quentin arrived here from France, Lyon to be more exact, and arrived to make the community’s life a bit more colourful. He loves learning about other cultures, and he wants to discover Transylvania while living here. A volunteer who aims to discover, we love to see it! In his spare time, he enjoys a good movie night and some quality music.
The next volunteer, Jaanus, enjoys spending his time in nature. However, he is a bit scared to get lost, so if you come across a lost Estonian from Tallinn, please point him in the direction of our office. We hope to finish the program with no volunteers lost in the forest. Other than spending time outside, he is motivated to see as much of our country as possible. He is ready to experience a new and different culture, and with this, improve himself.
All 4 of us have been to a few classes at school, in order to meet and greet the students. Getting to know the kids is something that is challenging at first but seeing them grow and learn different things always makes me smile. Helping the next generation to reach their full potential is a challenge I would gladly take on!
Also, we have helped out in the local library, either carrying books or helping them with the story-therapy session. Sometimes it is nice to spend time at a quiet place, just a little break from the noisy weekdays. And of course, how wouldn’t love to help the lovely librarian lady? Truly a sweetheart.
One of the most fun activities, at least so far, has been harvesting grapes at a local vineyard in Cristuru Secuiesc. Quentin, Timotej, and Jaanus partook in this activity, and they all had a great time.
On a positive note, we didn’t stay as four, but a new fifth international volunteer arrived just last Tuesday the 18th of October. Javier is our newest volunteer, who also came from Spain. So far, he has already been to the kindergarten, the library, the herbalist, etc. I would say he gets along with the kids quite well, so I remain optimistic.
Javier is the fifth volunteer at the organization. He also moved here from the other end of the continent, from Spain. He wants to experience something new while also helping others. By volunteering, he can both help and develop himself, learn new skills and have some fresh air. Moreover, he is looking forward to learn about the language, the food, and the traditions in this area.
Additionally, four of the volunteers, everyone except Jaanus, also helped out organizing a concert here in Cristuru Secuisec last Friday that began6 PMM. So far it seems that everybody is enjoying their time here and are more than happy to help out the local community in any way possible.
From all of us international volunteers working here with ATA, we wish you all the best!
Cheers to an epic 10-month adventure with all of you!
We are thrilled to introduce our upcoming Erasmus+ partnership building activity on Synergies, a pivotal part of our Youth Accreditation program. Scheduled to take place from November 4 to November 10, this training course will bring together 23 dedicated youth workers, project managers, and staff members from 15 diverse youth organizations spanning 11 European countries.
This immersive training course is designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and cultivate a strong sense of community. Participants will embark on a journey of discovery as they delve into the mobility program, explore our collective objectives, understand the essence of our community, and gain insights into our NGOs. Non-formal and team-building activities will set the stage for dynamic interactions.
Throughout the training course, participants will have the opportunity to grasp the common history shared by the 15 associations present at the event and comprehend the concept of synergies at local and international levels. In interactive sessions, attendees will share their own experiences and best practices, enhancing the collective knowledge base.
One day will be dedicated to the exchange of best practices and experiences related to communication with target groups, stakeholders, and partners. Participants will engage in a dynamic mix of non-formal activities, hands-on presentations, and debates, making it a day brimming with valuable insights and new skills.
Our program will also include enlightening study visits to regional partners of ATA and exploring best practices from our European partners and engage in stimulating discussions, including a debate on participation fees within the Erasmus+ program.
As the training course progresses, we will provide a platform for our partner organizations with Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation and ESC Quality Label to present their upcoming projects for 2023 and 2024. These projects encompass a wide array of opportunities, from Youth Exchanges and Training Courses to Long ESC and Teams ESC initiatives.
In the latter part of the training course, we will facilitate open space sessions, enabling attendees to understand each mobility, define objectives, activities, target groups and identify potential sending organizations for the mobilities.
The fruits of this partnership-building activity will not only enrich our local community but will also extend its impact far beyond our town. Collaborative youth exchanges, training courses, and volunteer projects are on the horizon, as we work together with our partners over the next two years. We invite you to be part of this exciting journey as we build synergies and create lasting change together. Stay tuned for updates and further details!
At the beginning of September 2022, we set off to Amarante, Portugal, to take part in a youth activity, blended mobility to be more precise, about volunteering. After a long but exciting flight, we arrived in the city of Porto, where the locals were already waiting for us to take us to the main office of the organization, the CJ building. We had our accommodation here, the programs were held here, as well as we ate every day here. On the first day, we got to know the other participants, the organizers, the city itself, and the youth center and got an insight into the life of the local volunteers. Over the next few days, we participated in a wide variety of programs and activities, put together a workshop on volunteering, and participated in a work camp. We helped locals and local volunteers pick apples and hazelnuts on an agricultural school’s farm, in return we were able to try riding in the school’s riding hall. We also created a museum exhibition in which we presented our own volunteer organization, ATA, and through these demonstrations, we were able to gain insight into the work of other youth organizations. In the evenings, we could take part in various cultural sessions, learned different cultural dances, tasted cultural dishes, and learned interesting things about other countries. On the last day, we were able to go kayaking on the river, and after a short evaluation, we had to say goodbye to our new friends, because the program was over, and we had to go home. All in all, during the program, we were able to gain new knowledge about the various voluntary projects, how exactly they work and what their role is in the European Union. This program has given us the opportunity to make new friendships without borders.
This article was written by one of the participating youth in the blended mobility.
