Volunteer with Friends of the Earth

Our project is unique.

Since the beginning of Friends of the Earth in 1991, we have only been able to run our campaigns thanks to both local and international volunteers who got inspired by the project.

We currently have campaigns on issues relating to the environment, human rights and disarmament, as well as running an information point in the Gent Ecological Centre, publishing a regular newsletter, visiting schools and other groups to give trainings and information events, and organising information tables at many events.

Some of the schemes that you could join: European Voluntary Service | Article 60 | Practical work experience

We are always looking for new volunteers.

The only thing we ask is that you:
Have a big heart for the world
To swim along against the stream

Candidates must be allergic
To nuclear weapons and nuclear energy, war
And violation of human rights.

Age: not important
Diplomas: no objection
Number of vacancies: unlimited

We offer:
A permanent appointment, new friendships, a surprising journey, a home.

Do you have a few hours each week or each month to work in the kitchen, in the restaurant?

Could you help in the office, or with the information and demonstration centre?

Friends of the Earth
Maria-Hendrikaplein 5-6
(opposite Gent Sint-Pieters Station)
9000 Gent Belgium
tel: + 32 9 242 87 52
fax: + 32 9 242 87 51
email:belgium@motherearth.org

EVS

Some volunteers come through EVS.

The European Voluntary Service (EVS) offers everyone between 18 and 25 years old the possibility to work as a volunteer for maximum 12 months in a European country. You are not paid, but you get board and lodging and pocket money.

When you want to work as a volunteer, you need a sending organisation in your home country. At the EVS agency, you can get information about projects in Europe which still need volunteers.

When you go abroad as a volunteer, you get training before as well as during your stay.

There are no costs for the volunteer when going abroad.

European voluntary service is based on two simple ideas. On the one hand, it offers young people the opportunity to spend a period in another country and to get involved in a local project as a volunteer and, on the other hand, it also allows a wide range of different organisations to work together and build European partnerships by exchanging volunteers.

Friends of the Earth is currently registered as a hosting organisation, and as a sending organisation, and we can offer placements of 6 months or 1 year.
View our project description, and contact us if you would like more details about working with us.

Or, visit the EVS website http://www.SOSforEVS.org for more general details on the programme.

Article 60

Unemployed people can also receive support from the city council which guarantees by law an income to survive (approximately 550 Euro/month).

Many people who are suspended from the federal social security receive support from the city council others who receive less than the minimum income can apply to the city through the OCMW.

To reintegrate unemployed people into the labour market, the cities created a programme called "Article 60".

According to their age, unemployed people will work full time for 1 to 2 years for the municipality employment service, an NGO (non governnental organisation), an OCMW of another municipality, or in a hospital with guidance.

Friends of the Earth was approved for this programme in 1999 and several people are now working with us on this contract, with the city council paying their salary.

Practical Work Experience

It is possible that students from different courses (social worker journalism, multilingual business communication) come to Friends of the Earth for their practical work experience.

This sort of voluntary work involves applying what you have learnt at university, but you should also have an interest in the work we are doing here.