About EmpowerVan
EmpowerVan is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls on the move through self-defense and empowerment training. Our mission is to enable them to lead autonomous lives free from violence.
We currently operate programs in refugee camps and shelters for unaccompanied minors in Greece. There, we have a fully furnished van with martial arts equipment, that we drive to refugee camps, in order to teach self-defense to the people living there. We also go to shelters for unaccompanied minors and other spaces in Athens, to empower asylum seekers and refugees.
This year we have expanded our holistic approach to Kenya, bringing empowerment programs directly to women and girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp, where we certified refugees living in the camp as Empowerment Self-Defense Instructors, and men as Male Agents of Change, driving positive change in their community.
Field Volunteer – Women’s Empowerment & Self-Defense in Athens
EmpowerVan is looking for a woman that is driven to advance gender justice, loves connecting with community members and has a passion for movement and sport. We are a small team and are looking for a volunteer to help us in Athens. You will be supporting us by going to classes in camps and shelters to support our instructors as you assist them, help with attendance, and you will also help us do reach-out to new community members, drive the van (is you have a license) and support us in daily tasks.
What we’re looking for
- Teaching Skills: Ability to teach sport, self-defense, or martial arts.
- Gender Requirement: Female applicants only (due to the nature of our work).
- Personal Attributes: Adaptable, well-organized, able to work independently, and at least 22 years old.
- Experience: Prior experience in sport and movement (hobby or work), experience working with displaced communities or minorities is preferred but not necessary.
- Availability: Able to be on the ground in Athens for a minimum of 5 weeks. Preferably afor at least 16 hours per week, up to full-time.
- People with a driver’s license highly preferred
- Language skills: Good spoken English is a must, as the team communicates in English.
Additional language skills are a huge plus, especially Persian, Arabic and French
Important Notes:
- This is an unpaid volunteer position.
- Applicants must be self-sufficient and able to cover their own expenses during the volunteering period.
- We are not able to support with any visa process
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and join a dynamic team dedicated to creating a world free of gender-based violence, we’d love to hear from you!
How to apply
How to Apply:
Send your motivation letter and CV to info@empowervan.org. Please additionally indicate the timeframe of your availability for volunteering on the ground.
Join us in empowering displaced women and making a difference in the world