Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) is a small environmental NGO based in the village of Ballinaglera in county Leitrim. We have a long history of sending and hosting young volunteers from across Europe, funded by the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Programme. ESC volunteers add value, enthusiasm and passion to the organisations that they work with and we are very lucky to be able to work with so many wonderful young people.
One of our many European partner organisations is Orfeus, which is based in the beautiful seaside town of Xylokastro in Greece. GEAI have been sending short term volunteers to Xylokastro for many years. The irish volunteers that we send work on an environmental project there, helping to preserve the precious wooded area, collecting rubbish and assisting with local festivals. They get the opportunity to meet other volunteers from across Europe, make new friends, learn new skills, make a valuable contribution and have fun!
As a sending organisation, we have a duty of care to ensure that our volunteers have the best volunteering opportunity possible. This involves visiting our partner organisations at regular intervals, to help to plan the work of the volunteers, to ensure that the volunteer accommodation is in good condition and that the correct measures are taken to keep our volunteers safe, healthy and happy. These trips are called Advanced Planning Visits (APV) and are supported by the European Union as part of the ESC programme.
This summer, GEAI will be sending a young volunteer to Xylokastro for two months. In preparation for this placement, the volunteer accompanied our development worker to Greece on an APV in May.
Our two ambassadors flew to Athens and then traveled by bus to Xylokastro. They explored the locality and met staff from Orfeus, who showed them the volunteer accommodation and introduced them to current long and short term volunteers. It was a great opportunity to understand the nature of the volunteer placement, hear the first hand experience of volunteers and familiarise our volunteer with the people and places they will encounter.
They also travelled with all the Orfeus staff and volunteers by coach to Athens to do some sightseeing, which included the Europa Experience and the National Park. It was wonderful to learn about the history of the area and get the opportunity to speak to the other volunteers at length about their reason for volunteering, their home countries and their challenges and achievements.
This Advanced Planning Visit provided the opportunity to continue to build on our existing positive relationships with people from across Europe and celebrate the solidarity and partnership we share.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the European Solidarity Corps, please click here.
