Overview
Within the two weeks’ exchange project “Rivjèka”, we will experience common activities on the topics of river protection and environmental responsibility together with young volunteers from Bosnia-Hercegovina.
During “Rivjèka”, you will:
- experience activities and tools on the topics of environmental responsibility, nature protection and emotional binding to local natural values
learn and try methods to analyse water quality of riversides
get to know young people and their families from Bosnia-Hercegovina with different backgrounds and a high motivation for nature protection
learn skills in international co-working, elaborate and implement activities within the exchange project
Our goals during the exchange are:
Enable personal growth for every participant
Give support for the creation of a group “Youth for Nature” in Travnik (Bosnia-Hercegovina)
Get inspiration and motivation through exposure to people, nature and history, by understanding of different cultures, by learning about the environmental challenges of the partner countries
Strengthening the partner institutions CEM, CZZS, i-platform, Pro Natura Neuchâtel and the international network Friends of the earth
Workshops on the work with children in nature, organization of a children’s program in nature in Switzerland and in Bosnia-Hercegovina
Excursions to riversides, studies and analysis of water quality, nature habitats and biodiversity of rivers, learn about the effects of hydropower plants and water protection strategies
Hiking in karstic landscapes, learn about climate change and its effect on water availability, agriculture and biodiversity
Organization of a public event to present the project Rivjèka and to display the film “Blue heart of Europe”
Eligibility of Participants
Young people between 15 and 25 years of age can apply. Exception of younger or older candidates are possible.
Priority is given to active volunteers of Youth&Nature groups of Pro Natura or similar organizations.
The project seeks for gender mix and different backgrounds of the participants.
Application form, motivational letter, copy of ID card or passport must be submitted.
Total number of participants from Switzerland: 9
Insurance: you need a health insurance that covers Bosnia-Hercegovina (no EU-member) and the repatriation back to Switzerland in case of emergency.
The application fee covers all the costs of student participation, including bed, board and all programme activities. In the case of need, applicants can apply for a scholarship
Applications for swiss participants starts in december 2019 and should be made no later than 30 April 2020
Accommodation
Accommodation is organised as followed:
Monday-Tuesday, 27th – 28th july 2020: overnight within hosting families in Neuchâtel Tuesday-Saturday, 28th july – 1 august: accommodation in “Sur la Vau”, Val de Travers Saturday-Sunday, 1 – 2 august: overnight within hosting families in Neuchâtel
Sunday-Monday, 2 – 3 august: night-train Zürich-Zagreb
Monday-Wednesday, 3 – 5th august: accommodation in “Visitor Centar Pecka”, near Mrkonic Grad Wednesday-Monday, 5th-10th august: overnights within hosting families in Travnik
You are pleased to specify in the application form if you have the possibility to host (one/two) volunteers at yours during the days from july 27th-28th and august 1-2. Hosting families will be found in and around Neuchâtel in order to host everybody in a secure place.
Language
The official language during the exchange project is English. If needed, translation is assured. Please contact us if you think that you need some help for understanding.
Fee and costs
Fee per person: 250 CHF. In the case of need, you can apply for a scholarship.
Organizers
The exchange project Rivjèka is organized by Pro Natura Neuchâtel, i-platform, Center for youth education CEM in Travnik and Center for ecology CZZS in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The project is supported by Movetia.
Agreement on behaviour
A common agreement on behaviour and rules will be discussed in the very beginning of the project and a common charta will be elaborated and approved on behalf of mutual respect and support, common tasks, the use of alcohol, smoking, phone, etc.
Application, Final Information and Contact Details
The exchange project Rivjèka will start for the swiss group with 3 preparation meetings on Friday, 27th of march 2020, Sunday, 28th of June and Friday, 24th of July. Our Bosnian friends will arrive by bus on Monday, 27th of July in the very morning in Neuchâtel. The project will close with the official evaluation session and closing ceremony on Sunday, 9th of August in Travnik. Departure from Travnik is planned for the morning of Monday, 10th of August 2020, arrival to Switzerland at midday of Tuesday, 11th of August 2020. An evaluation meeting will have place on Friday, 18th of September 2020.
Major participants have the possibility to extend their stay in Bosnia-Hercegovina. If you think about prolonging your stay, please note this in no 16. “comments”.
Applications should be submitted by latest 30 April 2020
You will receive a short confirmation that we received your application within 1-2 weeks after submission.
The selection of applicants will take place starting in February and the applicants will be notified about the result latest by March 15, 2020. Selected candidates will receive more information and payment instructions with the confirmation of participation.
For your application, please submit:
Completely filled Application form, scanned and sent to jeunes.neuchatel [at] pronatura.ch or sent by post to Maiann Suhner, coordinatrice J+N Pro Natura, Mont-Riant 9, 2000 Neuchâtel
Copy of ID card or passport
INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS AND PARENTS OF MINORS
If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Maiann Suhner, 078 881 51 33, E-mail: jeunes.nature [at] pronatura.ch
