VOLUNTEERING IN A CULTURAL CENTER IN LIEGE

Looking for one volunteer

Trip type

ESC Volunteering

City + Country

Liège, Belgium

Dates of the next project

From 1st September 2021 to 30th June 2022

Deadline to apply

–

Due to Covid-19 crisis, dates are subject to modifications.

Hosting organization: Espace Georges Truffaut

The non-profit organization Comité Culturel Droixhe-Bressoux – Espace Georges Truffaut (EGT) was founded in early 2004, to create a hub for local cultural activities. It aims at promoting cultural and intercultural development in the disadvantaged district of Droixhe- Bressoux, Liège. Its primary mission is to encourage, facilitate and coordinate local cultural initiatives, following the idea of making culture available to everyone and fostering community development and urban regeneration.

The EGT is a welcoming place for creative and cultural exchanges. It is a meeting point for citizens of different ages and cultures: it is also a collaborative space for local associations (members of the “Autour de l’Etang” collective ), municipal services and other cultural centers of the city, showcasing their activities.

In this perspective, our projects are created and implemented in partnership with other associations and organizations of the entire Liège area. Thinking and creating together enables us to join our strengths, encourage meetings between different groups and helps us be more attentive to the needs and wishes of the population.

We aim at:

Highlighting and encouraging the development of the creative potential of the local inhabitants having a different cultural background by creating a social link in our aggregation place.
Raising public awareness about societal issues through culture and therefore supporting the development of active citizenship.
Encouraging cultural inclusion and social interactions to raise awareness about societal issues

To be consistent with this approach, we also strive to:

Support and contribute to existing projects and activities taking place in the Droixhe- Bressoux district (for example, the local Halloween event, the Women’s Rights International day, the neighborhood party and the Repair Cafés)
Reach out to children by carrying out cultural actions toward the local schools

Our target groups are mainly represented by the residents of the Droixhe-Bressoux district, but our activities are open to people coming from all over the Liège area. Depending on the projects and collaborations, these target groups can vary ranging from young children to senior citizens, with several activities being intergenerational. To better understand the wishes and the needs of the local community, we constantly talk to local associations promoting a tight partnership with them, while at the same time making an effort to get to know the inhabitants of the neighborhood in order to adapt our cultural offers to their demands.

Our staff consists of 5 people (management, project coordination, animation, technical and practical support), and regularly welcomes temporary members under an “article 60” contract (short-term contract for social welfare beneficiaries) to support the work of the team, mainly for technical follow-up, maintenance and stage management.

Among our activities, the project “Fil solidaire” based on responsible and ethical consumption on the topic of clothing. “Bocalocal”, on the other hand, involves the use of all the 5 senses and invites children aged 9 to 12 to (re)discover their neighborhood. Moreover, the collaboration with the cultural center “Les Chiroux” allows us to organize theater plays for children and other activities aimed at strengthening the bond between parents and children. Other activities organized by EGT are “Les Zaprem” (board games afternoons), the “Fêtes connaissance” in partnership with the Red Cross (highlighting the importance of the elderly and fostering their social inclusion), the celebration of the “Fête de la musique” and the event “Les mots grands ouverts” (whose goal is to promote literature which is inclusive and representative of our culturally diverse society).

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/EspaceGeorgesTruffautDroixhe/

Web page: https://espacegeorgestruffaut.be/

Support organization: CBB

CBB is a non-profit, non-political youth organization recognized and financially supported by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The organization proposes different kinds of activities, based on volunteering and non-formal education: local and international workcamps, medium and long term voluntary services (including ESC), and leisure time activities for and with disabled people, camp leaders trainings…

CBB is active within the different European programs of volunteering and non-formal education since 1997 and also hosts ESC volunteers each year. CBB’s role as support organization is to:

Promote the project and link between local and the international networks;
Support in the selection and preparation of European volunteers before arrival;
Manage of administrative matters: budget allowances; support in the creation of the bank account and enrollment at the municipality; enrollment in insurance (if not done by sending organization);
Prepare the activity agreement;
Provide pedagogical support for the volunteer and the hosting organization: ensures the participation to the NA seminars; organization of auto-evaluation meetings for the volunteer and the hosting organization to reflect on learning outcomes;
Handle practical arrangements: accommodation; information about health insurance system in Belgium; indications about French lesson possibilities; online language tool;…
Create networking between all ESC volunteers of the hosting organizations we support.

Check us on Facebook and take a look at our website!

The volunteer's tasks

After an initial phase mainly focused on getting acquainted with the workplace, the colleagues and the partners (the other local organizations), the volunteer will have the opportunity to fully join our work. They will be given the possibility to take part in all the activities promoted by EGT, from the organization to the animation. The volunteer will mainly work alongside the project manager, but collaboration with other members of the team or of partner organizations will happen on a daily basis.

According to the skills and desire of the volunteer, different tasks can be assigned to them, whether they are technical, cultural or organizational. They will, however, be different and various in order to stimulate and enrich the volunteer’s experience at EGT.

Any idea or suggestion is always very welcome: we are looking forward to having inputs from our volunteer to improve our activities or even start new ones. We are also open to discussing personal projects and ready to support the volunteer in its creation and organization.

Accommodation in Liège

L’Espace Georges Truffaut is located in Liège, the second biggest city of the French Community of Belgium (community that includes the regions of Wallonia and Brussels). In Liège there are 200 000 inhabitants and almost 450 000 more in its surroundings. Liège is known to be one of the most attractive and lively Belgian cities. The city benefits from a very dynamic cultural life thanks to its various artists and associations. The volunteer can discover cultural activities, concerts, festivals and linguistic exchanges.

Liège is an old industrial city that is changing a lot in its adaptation to the 21st century. Well renovated historical areas are mixed with old industrial buildings and very modern architectural projects. It is located on the border of the river “La Meuse”, close by the German and the Dutch borders.

The EGT in itself is a cultural center and an aggregation space comprising two main halls used to host events or exhibitions. It is situated in the neighbourhood of Droixhe-Bressoux, really close to the train station and a minute away from the Meuse

The country - BELGIUM

Squeezed between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium is one of Europe’s tiddlers.
The north is flat, the south dominated by the picturesque Ardennes and the 65km North Sea coastline monopolized by resorts, except for a few patches of windswept dunes. The 4 seasons are well divided, cold and white winter and warm and sunny summer… But be ready to grey sky at least haf part of the year.

But the belgian population are usually warm. A lot of cultural and free EVENT in the street happen during the year, which brings your journey in this little country funny and ressourcefull.

This project will be taking part in the south of the country which is french speaking. Be therefore ready to learn and speak french! Especially in this projec involving kids.

Specialities : FRIES and BEERS and FESTIVALS
AREA: 30,518 sq km
POPULATION: 11.420.163 million
CAPITAL: Brussels (pop: 1.191.604)
REGIONS: Flanders (North), Wallonia (South), Brussels – Capital
COMMUNITIES: Flemish, French and German speaking community
LANGUAGE: Dutch (±59%), French (±37%) and German (±1%)
CURRENCY: Euro

Practical arrangements

Working Hours

The volunteer will have a flexible schedule: our working times depend on the activities: sometimes the volunteer will have to work late in the afternoon or even during the weekend, but days off will be granted to keep an average of 38 hours a week.

Accommodation

The volunteer will live in Liège. The house will be well connected to public transportation and close to supermarkets, pharmacies and shops in general. The workplace will not be too far and easily reachable taking the bus or by bike for nightlife lovers, it is also important to know that the night buses stop around midnight.

Food

The volunteer will receive a budget and will take care of the meals on their own.

Pocket Money

Participation in the European Solidarity Corps is free of charge for the participant, except for exceptional contribution to travel costs. The volunteer will receive free board and lodging during the whole activity. In addition, they will receive a small allowance (pocket money) for personal expenses throughout the duration of the activity, including holidays.

Insurance

All participants in cross-border activities have to be covered, throughout the activity period, by the obligatory insurance plan (CIGNA) set up by the European Commission. This coverage is only complementary to the mandatory coverage of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which must be obtained prior to departure. In certain cases, when national rules deprive participants from coverage under EHIC for the duration of the placement, CIGNA will provide full coverage. However, participants must provide proof that obtaining the EHIC in their case was not possible and they should contact their National Agency (NA) in order to seek tailored advice, for their specific circumstance. The participant must read carefully the insurance-related information found online here.

Language course

OLS+ French lesson: an online language course is provided as part of the project support from the Commission allocated on the basis of a level test to complete before the activity starts. The volunteer is also encouraged to join free French lessons given in the municipality or around. It is recommended that the participant starts practicing French prior to their arrival in Belgium and that they participate in as many activities as possible in order to get better at the language.

Profile of the volunteer

Age requirement to take part in ESC program: 18-30 years old
Before departure, the volunteer should be in contact with a support (sending) organization in order to receive information and preparation. Lookup for a support organization in your region via this link: https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisations_en
Our project is open to anybody motivated by volunteering and who wishes to be involved in our organization and working in the cultural field, regardless of their nationality, religion, believes, diploma, professional experience.
We expect the volunteer to be open-minded, curious, enthusiastic, able to work in a team and to interface with different target groups, committed to working in a multicultural environment, willing to learn French and not afraid of getting their hands dirty by undertaking some practical tasks.
As the project revolves around social activities, and particularly close contact with children and young people, a certificate of good conduct is required as part of the application process

How to apply ?

Deadline: /

1. Answer the questionnaire below (NB: you will be asked to attach a CV at the end of the form)

2. In the frame of the new program of the European Commission, the European Solidarity Corps, you first need to create a profile on the new data base: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en (“JOIN THE CORPS”).

3. Find the project and click on “apply” > HERE – To apply

4. (optional) if you’re feeling creative, please feel free to send us any addtional material related to your application: esc@compagnonsbatisseurs.be

The application through the ESC portal and fulfilling the form are compulsory for us to take your application into consideration.

In the days following the deadline, the pre-selected volunteers will be contacted for a Skype interview. th

ESC Georges Truffaut / Apply form and motivation letter

Step 1 of 4 - Personal Data

Personnal data
By filling the information below, you provide us with personal information. You are aware of the fact and agree that the pieces of information will be used in the frame of the call for candidates for the Erasmus+ volunteering project. Your personal data will be used by the persons in charge of the selection of volunteers in the sending and coordinating/hosting organizations. Each part mentioned takes the responsibility of erasing the documents containing your personal data once the selection procedure is over.
Name*
Surname Name
Birthdate*
Day
Month
Year
Current address*
Street Address City ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone number*
E-mail*
Availability period for the project (preference will be given to the volunteers able to join the project for the whole period)*
Have you ever taken part in a volunteering project under ERASMUS+?*
- YES
- NO
Sending organization (Name, Accreditation or PIC number, post address, phone number, contact person’s name and email address)*
What are your (long term) travel experiences?*
PNR (if you already have it: it’s a super long number you receive when you get registered into the PASS)*

Here you get more into the AMO Le Cercle project
What are your general motivations to join along term volunteering activity abroad?*
What do you like about this specific ESC project at the Espace Georges Truffaut?*
What do you think is the role of an organization as the Espace George Truffaut?*
How do you see your role, as a volunteer, within these activities?*
Which are your weaknesses and qualities for our project?*

What do you think about working in a team?*
Do you think you might have some difficulties during the project? If yes, which ones? If not, why?*
Do you have some skills in animation/groups leading? Which ones?*
Do you speak French? If yes, what is your level? If not, do you think you can commit to learning it?*
Can you explain how you see your typical week (working hours, tasks, colleagues, location, ...) in our project?*

Do you have ideas about a personal project (or activity) to develop during your volunteering experience?*
What do you like to do in your free time?*
What would you like to know about our organization and activities?*
Do you have any questions or doubts before accepting to be a volunteer in our project?*
Regarding the recent Covid-19 crisis, how do you see yourself adapting to possible measures that might come in the future (social contacts, work and traveling) considering that you will be living in a foreign country?*
How do you feel about experiencing a collective international life?*
And now, write down in (1500-3000 charachters) +- 20 lines, your motivation letter
Please add your CV*
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