Involve! Include! Improve!
In March 2017 Youth Discovery Ventures published an EVS call for our new EVS project in Sheffield, we received more than 300 applications in just three weeks. Reading and assessing all the applications was a tough procedure, but finding suitable candidates for the interviews turned out to be easier than we expected. Reading the cover letters, we noticed that too many candidates, even the more skilled and experienced ones, struggled to clearly express their specific interest in the project. Many cover letters contained irrelevant information and seemed to be sent, unmodified, to apply for more than one EVS project. Applying for different projects in the same period is a very natural and common practice for such a competitive scheme as EVS, but it’s important that aspiring volunteers understand that, in order to be really competitive, they should focus more on the quality of their production instead of simply sending out lots of applications. In a short video (that has at last count been watched 162 times) published on our website and on our Youtube channel we tried to explain what we’d like to read in a motivational letter and the mistakes not to make: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L28_WVvbjBI Giving these little tips we hope to help people interested in EVS can increase their chances to participate in a project that really matches their interests and aspirations, making an informed choice and achieving the maximum from their future EVS experience. Chilly spring evening brought together young people interested in doing European voluntary service to the European Union house in central Tallinn. Our ex-EVS volunteers Karolina and Maria shared their stories from Romania, from organization called Wild Carpathia. Eleri talked about her short term service in Bulgaria, digging up Thracian heritage (and by the way - finding an old skeleton). After that, it was time for practical tips how to apply for EVS projects and overview about current offers was given, too.
On 6th, 9th and 10th April Seiklejate Vennaskond organized analyze meetings for our ex-EVS volunteers. Meeting on 6th was in Tartu, on 9th and 10th in Tallinn. Volunteers shared their great experiences, but also some horror stories and crazy happenings. Together we discussed, how EVS changed their lives, and how they have used this experience for the future life. Useful tips were exchanged about host organizations and now we definitely know better, what should we keep in mind on the matter of specific projects.
On 6th April, EVS information event took place in Tartu. First of all, Orvi shared her 10 months experience in Romania, with some great stories and unexpected events. After that Rauno shared his experience from Sheffield, in United Kingdom (6 months project). It was great to hear, that even though host organization was hosting EVS volunteers for the first time, they did a great job! After that, Heleri from Seiklejate Vennaskond gave a little overview how could future volunteers apply themselves. All stories must have been inspiring, as after the information event several participants decided to apply for EVS themselves, and one of them, got right away accepted to the same UK project, where Rauno participated before! :)
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