As a long-term volunteer, you will be based in our small Secretariat in Brussels and will work together with many volunteers all around the world and have the opportunity to see the world. The main focus of volunteering year is for you to have the chance to develop new competencies, get new experiences that will contribute to your educational and professional development, increase your intercultural awareness. You will be able to shape your voluntary work around your interests and areas you would like to develop more. 

You will also be involved in a variety of IFM-SEI projects during the year, as well as getting hands-on experience of contributing to the running of IFM-SEI. Some of the projects you may be involved with are: 

• Reach out and SCREAM: a project that aims to create stronger and clearer communication for partners internally and externally. It will create space to stimulate new projects among the network and develop new participative tools to Share, Communicate, Reach, Evaluate and Monitor (SCREAM).  
• Dream our G->LOCAL Movement: project that contributes to the education of young people through socialist values and non-formal education, where children and young people can become critical thinkers and active decision-makers in their lives and communities. It aims to support a young generation of youth workers to develop accessible and inclusive approaches to engage in youth work locally, nationally and internationally. 
• Journey of Youth Leadership: a two-year project to strengthen youth leadership in 12 youth organization in four world regions. The aim of the project is two-folded: to share governance practices and develop ideas on how to improve transparency and internal democracy inside organisations, and to develop a leadership academy to train and coach young people (aged 18-25) in leadership skills, which will support them to take on leadership positions of groups and in boards of organisations. 
• Kids Got Rights: a project that will see young people from across Europe working together to analyse how children’s rights are met, recognised and respected in each country and then creating together a toolkit of activities, sessions plans, resources and extra information on how we can make positive change. 
• Supporting thematic networks: supporting the work of one of our four thematic networks – rainbow, feminist, accessibility or migration network – to help deliver their education, campaigns and advocacy work. 

The position is voluntary, however there is financial support for the volunteer (if the grant is accepted) by the means of: 

• accommodation in Brussels (in a shared flat/house); 
• an allowance that includes money for meals, local transport and pocket money; 
• travel costs to Brussels (a lump sum depending on the distance to Brussels); 
• insurance for the whole year; 

• a language course (French or Dutch); 
• European Solidarity Corps training programme (to be confirmed) and lots of training and development opportunities within IFM-SEI and our member organisations; 
• an exciting and unforgettable experience, working for an international organisation in an international city! 

You can apply if you fit the following profile: 

• Aged between 18 and 30 (must have reached 18 and must not be older than 30 at the start date of the activity); 
• Active in a member organisation of IFM-SEI in Europe and the Middle East*; 
• Able to work in English (Spanish and/or French would be an advantage); 
• Able to commit to a year of volunteering in Brussels; 
• Computer literacy skills; 
• Basic knowledge of non-formal education; 
• Support from your IFM-SEI member organisation; 
• Your organisation has accreditation as an EVS sending organisation or holds Quality Label for volunteering projects**; 
• The motivation to take back what you have learnt to your IFM-SEI member organisation and share good practice; 
• Open-minded, friendly and flexible. 

We particularly encourage young people with fewer opportunities to apply! 

*This call is open to young people residing in the EU Member States and the following Partner Countries: UK, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Armenia, Norway, Belarus and Georgia. 

**If previously accredited with KA110, you are able to be a partner/sending organisation until 31.12.2021. If previously accredited with ESC52, you are able to be a partner/sending organisation until the end of the programme (2027). If you haven’t been previously accredited with KA110 or ESC52, you have to re-apply for the Quality Label as a partner organisation.              

This year has been a year of uncertainty, change and inexperience, but above all it has been an adventure and a learning experience. This experience gives you the opportunity to get to know new forms of internationalism and cooperation, to learn new skills and to apply what you already know. This year has been an unforgettable year for everyone, but for me it has meant getting out of my comfort zone and getting to know myself, my limits and what I am capable of doing. 

-Iris, ESC 2020

 

My European Solidarity Corps volunteer placement with IFM-SEI has been so incredible because I have had a unique opportunity to learn skills, meet people and develop my international perspective and outlook! The best part of this programme for me is that you drive your own learning and development, so I have really had the chance to think about what I want to develop and make that happen myself by doing! I have had the chance to learn about non-formal education, facilitation, as well as the more operational sides of project management. I would recommend this position to people who are looking for a dynamic, motivating and interesting working environment

– Nadia, ESC 2019

My voluntary year in IFM-SEI was amazing. I learned a lot about the world around me and how powerful educational work can be. I had many unforgettable opportunities and memories which I wouldn’t have without this experience. Now I have many new friends around the world and better knowledge to continue educational work on local level.

– Jassu, ESC 2018

My EVS with IFM-SEI was really special because it gave me so many incredible opportunities and I learned a lot about myself and what I value. I was based in Belgium for the year but it felt like I was actively practicing internationalism; I made lots of amazing new friends from all over the world.

– Frankie, EVS 2015-16

During my year at the IFM-SEI secretariat I learnt so much about socialist education and how to run an international youth movement that has the power to change society and to connect people worldwide through the motivation to change society. I got so much more self-confidence, because my colleagues empowered and believed in my educational skills. It was an amazing experience to work for IFM-SEI!

– Bine, EVS 2012-13

Being an EVS volunteer at IFM-SEI was a huge experience and fun at the same time. Together with the secretariat, we have been putting into practice IFM-SEI values; I gained more experience and expertise in non-formal education, improved my skills to make a positive change not only in my own life but in the community, I am a part of, too. It was the greatest and the most diverse adventure in for me so far.

– Teona, EVS 2014-15

My EVS was a life-changing experience. It is the biggest opportunity that I have ever gotten in my whole life. It was my first step into professional life. My EVS was also a life-saving experience. Working with IFM-SEI and being surrounded with great people sharing socialist values was extremely helpful. It provided me with the safe space that I needed at that moment. Doing an EVS also helped me learn a lot about myself and the world around me. It was a journey to my inner being that gave me the necessary skills and attitude that I needed in order to become an actor of positive change.

– Arnold, EVS 2015

If you are interested then send your CV, a motivation letter (up to one-page A4) and a support letter from your organisation. The motivation letter should outline why you would like to join IFM-SEI for a year as a long-term volunteer and what you feel you could bring to the role. We would ask for you to send all application documents to contact@ifm-sei.org by Sunday, 16 May 2021 (23:59 CEST).  

Please spread the word! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on the email address above.