Open Cultural Center (OCC) is a non-profit organisation (NGO) based in Spain and Greece that works towards the inclusion of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers by offering activities to both host-country nationals and third-country nationals.

The organization was established in 2016 in response to the European refugee crisis and now manages cultural centers and residential programs for migrants and refugees in Spain and Greece. We are a small international team united by a commitment to breaking down barriers to social inclusion for migrants and refugees.

Our main projects in Greece include:

• Early childhood education center.
• Socio-educational activities with children and youth.
• Education activities for adults.
• Women Space.
• Transport and mobility projects to connect refugee camps to urban areas.
• European Union projects that foster social innovation and exchange of best practice.

For a period of 2 months, starting in early February 2024, we are offering different volunteering positions within OCC Greece, focused on supporting the implementation of the projects in Polykastro.

Main tasks

Short-term volunteers will support and contribute to the implementation of one or more of the activities listed below:

• Teaching for kids, youth or adults: teaching English and/or Greek basic literacy to adult and/or minors.
• Kindergarten: working with minors of a really young age, organizing and implementing recreational activities around art, storytelling…
• Women space: organizing and implementing recreational/well-being activities for women and girls.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: administrative work for monitoring and evaluating our organization, in collaboration with the correspondent OCC manager.
• Communications: Use and editing of communications media via our communications equipment, administration of social media accounts, promotional campaigns, etc.
• Bike Space: technical support and administrative work in our bike rental service.
• Computer/IT Classes: teaching and promoting basic digital literacy skills i.e. use of Microsoft Office, setting up and email, etc to our beneficiaries’ community.
• German Classes: teaching German basic literacy to adults.

Position requirements

• Good command of English and/or Greek. Other languages are a plus (German, French, Arabic, Dari, Sorani, etc.).
• Experience with teaching and/or working with refugees is preferred.
• Being easy-going and eager to work in an intercultural, autonomous environment.
• Being motivated, proactive, open-minded, creative and self-reliant.
• Available for 2-month period starting early February.
• No problem with sharing an apartment/bedroom with other volunteers.

Volunteer requirements established by ESC program (*)

• Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old (preferably between 23 and 30).
• To have a legal residence permit in an EU country.

(*) Candidates that do not meet these requirements won’t be able to be considered as potential candidates for the volunteer position.

What do we offer?

The project is funded by the European Commission through the European Solidarity Corps program. This means that volunteering provides:

• Travel costs coverage: Up to the limits established in the Erasmus+ Guide distance calculator from the volunteer’s region of residency to our center, and back.
• Free Accommodation: Provided next to our activities center, in Polykastro, Greece with other volunteers. Houses are fully equipped (kitchen, bathrooms, washing machine, etc.). Note: be ready to share your bedroom with other volunteers of the same gender.
• Monthly allowance: 270 euros per month.
• Insurance: Henner
• Free Language courses: Online but also in person, according to availability.
• Holidays: two days per month.