RS-PGVCV 01 “Castle secrets” FUTOG 05-20/07. RENO 16+ 15/15 vols

Project description:
For the first time we organize an international work camp in partnership with the secondary Agricultural School from small village in Vojvodina called Futog. This activity aims at upgrading the value of the site by welcoming the international volunteers in order to work on the valorization of historical wealth and to create an attractive image of the school and the village itself. This project is particularly aiming at the supporting of the local youth activism and wonderful opportunity of exchanges with the youth from foreign countries.
Futog is small village with a rich and interesting history wealth. Work will be organized in the old baroque-classictic Castle of Lord Chotec, built in the middle of the 18th sentury, where is Secondary Agricultural School located today. It is famous by the fact that it belonged to a family of Sofia Chotek, wife of Great Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and this is the place where they resided few days before Sarajevo Attempt.

Work:
The castle has great history and lot of mysteries which have been lately discovered. It the castle there is big basement with old dungeons and secret tunnels. Our main work will be renovating this basement and transforming it into club for school pupils and small museum and making the short movie about castle’s history. On the school’s property there is a big park, great sport fields and a agricultural economy with lot of fields and animals, so volunteer’s job will be also some cleaning in the park and helping with making a small Panonean zoo and taking care about animals. Work will be 5-6 hours. Weekends are free.

Accommodation and food:
Volunteers will be lodged in the Internat of secondary Agricultural School, located nearby, in dormitories with beds, showers and toilets. No need for sleeping bags. All meals will be served in the school canteen.

Location:
Futog is small village situated on the left bank of river Danube, on the middle of its course. It is located near the city of Novi Sad, capital of province of Vojvodina.

Study part:
Located few kilometers from Novi Sad you will have many opportunities for visits and excursions for discovering treasures of this lovely town and its sights. There is Danube and its bridges, Petrovaradin fortress, Restaurants with local traditional food and music, museums, EXIT music festival, Novi Sad Fair, and much, much more...With 350,000 citizens, Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia. However in terms of some global criterions, it is considered to be a smaller town. Not too big, not too small 'just enough', we like to say. Two hours may be enough to walk over and around it, but you would need far more to describe it.

Terminal: Train or bus station in Novi Sad.

Language: English

Special remarks:
A motivation letter must be sent wit the application form. Please bring some interesting traditional material about your country-games, recopies, etc. There will be organized traditional evenings where you could present your home country.

RS-PGVCV 02 “Discover our values” KOVILJ 14-29/07. ENVI 18+ 12/10 vols

Project description:
Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit, marshland on the left bank of the Danube River, is protected as a Special Nature Reserve on the basis of its great nature values. The Rit looks like small rainforest in the Panonian Valley and abounds in strings, channels, swamps and deserted beds. It has great significance for preservation of habitants of different flora and fauna and its biocenosis. This beautiful nature reserve protects many rare animals, birds and fishes. The village is well known by one of the Europe’s largest populations of black and white storks and for the relics of rainforest, yellow and white water lilies. Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit is IBA Important Bird Area of international significance, and it will be suggested for Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. One of the curiosities of the village is the Monastery of Kovilj built in 12th century dedicated to St. Archangels. This is the second largest monastery in Serbia, and it gives great opportunity to meet with Serbian culture and history.
This workcamp is part of the project of Nature Conservation Bureau of Serbia, department in Novi Sad, for improvement of quality of protection of this nature area, revitalization of marsh ecosystems and advancement of biodiversity which were degraded by inappropriate human behavior. One of the aims of this project are also promotion of this Special Nature Reserve, incentive for development of ecotourism and preservation of tradition and customs of local inhabitants.

Work:
This project involves and focuses on environmental conservation work within a nature reserve. Most of the work will be outdoors so this is a perfect project for nature lovers and all volunteers used to be outside!
For the first week volunteers will work on project of revitalization of Kurjacka greda, one part of the reserve. The work will mainly include various activities in the forest: cutting and clearing unwanted grass and bushes, burning old tree brunches and brushwood and cleaning waste material which threatens original vegetation. The working place is located in the forest and volunteers every day will have transportation to the work place.
On the second week of the workcamp volunteers will help in preparation of local village and monastery celebration of village patron St. Archangel Mihailo, which is traditionally held every year on the 26th of July. Work will include cleaning and arranging the area around the monastery, setting up stalls for exhibition of old handicrafts aiming at promotion of culture and tradition of local people.

Accommodation and food:
Accommodation in a youth eko centre ,,Tikvara” on the bank of Danube estuary. All necessary sanitary facilities (toilets and indoor and outdoor shower) are provided. Beds will be available but sleeping bags are necessary. All necessary sanitary facilities (toilets and indoor and outdoor shower) are provided. Volunteers will have kitchen in the house where they will prepare food. It would be nice if volunteers can bring their recipes and spices so that they can present gastronomical tradition of their country.

Study part:
Boat rides through the Kovilj marshland with possibility of taking photos of beautiful nature of the Kovilj marshland and large number of birds passing right near you and flying right above your head. Visits to the monastery of Kovilj dedicated to St. Archangel, and its long tradition and historical value. Visiting the nearby beaches, famous Arkanj beach and its famous traditional restaurant “At the end of the world”, swimming in Danube estuary and other sport activities. Excursion to Novi Sad and its cultural and historical values. Visit to the underground of the Petrovaradin fortress, one of the oldest and most preserved fortifications in Europe.

Language: English

Location: village Kovilj, 20km from Novi Sad, 50 km from Belgrade

Terminal: Novi Sad train or bus station

Special remarks: Volunteers with knowledge in environmental work are especially welcome.

RS-PGVCV 03 „Upper park“ BECEJ 31/07– 13/08. ENVI 18+ 15/10 vols

Project description:
Becej is typical, multinational town in Vojvodina, more than 900 years old, situated on right bank of river Tisa. There are a numerous cultural–historical monuments. What is special in Becej is number of trees and parks which are made spontaneously from breeding ground's growing by time into the city recreation zone. Because it was made more from enthusiasm rather than professionalism, they are suffering from numerous faults. It lacks of appropriate recreation area, playgrounds, place for learning about nature and place for cultural and educative purpose. Workcamps have been organized in Becej parks for few years and for this year it is planned that volunteers work on renovation of one of its parks, called “Upper park” (Gornji park).

Work:
Volunteers will work on redesigning and reconstruction of the “Upper Park” and its green surfaces. Also, volunteers will install new garbage bins and reconstruct old ruined benches. Work will be consisting of suspending small garbage dumps, reclamation of old dry and ill trees. Daily work will be 5-6 hours, weekends are free. Afternoon activities will be arranged among the agreement with volunteers.

Accommodation and food:
Volunteers will sleep in the tents, in the biggest “Goranski Park”. Sleeping bags are necessary. Toilettes and showers are nearby. Volunteers will have to prepare their breakfast and dinner; lunch will be organized by host.

Study part:
All together with creative workshops (movie, traditional crafts), volunteers will have opportunity to have excursion on castle “Fantast” which is situated 15 km away from Becej. Also, volunteers will have time for sun and fun on the banks of river Tisa, and local Olympic swimming pool. During the camp, volunteer will have visit from local folk dance group, and visit to concerts which are frequent in this time of the year.

Language: English

Terminal: Bus station Becej.

Special remarks:
No special qualifications are required. All nature lovers and the people of good will are welcome...

Special requirements:
Bring working gloves, some sun protection and a swimming suit. You are also welcome to bring some typical games and/or food from your country! Do not forget sleeping bags and sense of humor!

RS-PGVCV 04 „TREMA fest“ RUMA 23/08-05/09. ART 18+ 15/10 vols

Project description:
This work camp is organized in cooperation with Youth Centre of Ruma network organization consisting of: Ruma City Theatre, Scouts, Literature Youth, Art association, Society of multimedia avangarde, Cancer prevention society and JAZAS youth-society for AIDS prevention.
Fruska Gora Mountain surrounded by numerous monasteries and protected areas of nature. Ruma City Theatre is establisher of the Trema festival (www.tremafest.co.yu) which is in the end of the March happening in Ruma for the 10th time. This international theater festival of multicultural activities and youth projects offers numerous entertaining and educative programs. Good results from the workcamp organized last year encouraged organizers to continue tradition and organize it this year for the second time.

Work:
Volunteers will work on preparation and realization of two theatre performances of the Ruma City Theatre for the 11th TREMA fest-Cinderella puppet play and ambient rock and roll forum-theatre. Also they will work on improvement of technical, video product ional and creative conditions for the work of the art TREMA studio, painting of the walls and stage, setting up the stage, making pults for presentations, making and updating theatre documentation, press clipping, making videos and photos for the documentation.
After preparation of planned performances we will form Mobil Art Trema project (performances, show and presentations) which will b used as a presentation in partner cities: Novi Sad, Karlovci, Stara Pazova, during their summer festivals. A movie about Art workcamp with the short performance we will present within the traditional Ruma Fair and afterwards on the opening on the opening of Trema Fest in March 2008. The movie will include inserts from all parts of volunteers, living and working together.

Accomodation and food:
Full board will be provided at the Youth Center of Ruma. Sleeping bag is not necessary. All meals will be supplied at the center. Showers and toilets available. Volunteers will cook their own meals.

Study part:
Except working part workcamp will have educational, study part, too. It will be dedicated to teambuilding, leading of the workshops, cultural exchange workshops, photo sessions, and sport and music activities. Also camp leaders will organize some excursions to the towns nearby. Volunteers will have opportunity to get to know and actively participate in regular actions of the Youth Center of Ruma.

Language: English

Location: Ruma, small town 60km from Belgrade

Special requirements:
To apply for this workcamp, a motivation letter is obligatory. Interests, skills or occupations in: theatre directing, video directing, choreography, stenography, costume design, photography, painters, sculptors, graphic designers, lighting, sound, special effects, D.J.s, composers, musicians, dancers, pantomimes, clowns, jugglers, web-designers, PR managers, radio and TV speakers, etc., are more than welcome.

Participation fee: 40 € for equipment, assistants and workshop trainers. It has to be paid to the local host upon the arrival.

RS-PGVCV 05 „Birdwatching paradise“ MELENCI 18-31.09. ENVI 18+ 10/10

Project description:
The surounding area of village Melenci with Rusanda Spa represents very interesting and important for nature study and protection. Rusanda lake, as one of the last natural salty lakes in Vojvodina, during migratiry season is very important spot for different wetland species of birds (ducks, geese, cranes, curlews, gulls, etc.) which, as a magnet, attracts several thousand of birds.
This workcamp is organized in the partnership with the scientific society of biology students "Josif Pancic" from University of Novi Sad. Mainly it is organized for supporting the local youth for active environmental preservation of the area near the lake Rusanda. This wonderful opportunity for joint activities with the youth from foreign countries will contribute to better understanding and solving problems of nature protection of the local community. We hope that this workcamp will affect on people from the local to better understand value of the natural heritage they are surrounded. Because preserved nature is the necessity for development of eco and rural tourism and creating and promoting an attractive image of the Rusanda Spa and village Melenci.

Work:
Our main work during the camp will be making and instaling houses and winter feeders for different kinds of birds and bats in the Spa park and sourounding areas. Also, by installing tourist boards and birdwatching platforms on the lake bank, we want to promote unique ecological values and flora and fauna of Rusanda and contribute to its ecotourism development.
Volunteer’s job will be also some cleaning in the park and on the lake banks and helping with planting young trees in the park. Work will be 5-6 hours. Weekends are free.

Accommodation and food:
Volunteers will be logged in the pavilions of the Rusanda Spa located nearby lake, in dormitories with beds, showers and toilets. No need for sleeping bags. All meals will be served in the Spa canteen.

Location:
Melenci is a village located in the Zrenjanin municipality, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, on the northeast part of Serbia. Rusanda Spa is settled on the bank of Rusanda Spa, it is surrounded with beautiful park and represents a real peace oasis.

Study part:
Rusanda Spa is surrounded with parks, lake and sport fields for soccer, small sports and tennis court, which offer all favorable conditions for recreation and amusement activities. We will do birdwatching and banding of birds on the nearby lake and surrounding areas.
During the camp volunteers will have opportunitiy for visiting rich natural and cultural heritage of Melenci and neighboring parts of this eastern Vojvodian region. From Banja Rusanda it is possible to organize excursions to Special Nature Reserves "Stari Begej-Carska Bara" interesting wetland ecotourism destination and "Slano Kopovo" well known for its preserved rare bird specie the Great Bustard (Otis tarda).

Terminal: Train or bus station in Novi Sad.

Language: English.

Special remarks:
Most of the work will be outdoors so this is a perfect place for nature lovers and all volunteers used to be outside. Please bring some interesting material about your country-games, recipes, etc. There will be organized traditional evenings where you could present your home country.