VolunTour: Better Environment – Better Tomorrow

THE PROJECT This Study Visit is the outcome of the “VolunTour” project, part of Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth. The general aim of the Capacity Building is to develop a new format of international mobility, called VolunTours, fully organized and implemented by youth organisations, whose purpose is to offer a quality learning experience and to inspire active participation and advocacy in the local communities. These VolunTours can be defined as a mixture of responsible tourism, volunteering, interaction with local communities and with stakeholders, according to a different topic for each Asian country involved. Asian and European youth organizations are working together to organize the VolunTours in India, Nepal and Cambodia. PARTICIPANTS INVOLVEMENT IN THE STUDY VISIT The aim of the Study Visit is to evaluate together the mobility realized and to understand if a similar project can be realized in different contexts. The Study Visit is addressed to youth workers and managers of NGOs interested in implementing similar activities and replicate the NFL methodologies in other communities. Participants will have the chance to take part in the pilot project, to see how the international mobility is organized, scheduled and to share good practices with managers of the Asian and European organizations involved in the project. The objectives are as follows: - Take part in the pilot project of the VolunTour mobility and provide feedback about the idea of the mobility, the proposed activities, the balancement of touristic activities, volunteering and meetings with local community; - Evaluate if would be possible to transfer the VolunTour in their local communities and for potential tourists; - Acquire NFL methodologies and good practices to implement a similar international mobility in different local contexts. NEPALESE VOLUNTOUR The theme of the VolunTour in Nepal is Better Environment – Better Tomorrow and it focusses on the issue of non-biodegradable waste and the protection of environment and climate, visiting activities and stakeholders involved to create a social change. The Study Visit will last 12 days (arrival and departure included). Schedule: Day 1: Arrival, welcoming, check into the hostel, dinner and rest Day 2: Orientation: info about the organization, the activities and VolunTour cultural and healthy tips (learning about Nepal) Day 3: Local community visit, meeting with EVS volunteers and preparation for volunteering activities Day 4: Volunteering: educational activities related to environmental conservation, Day 5: Volunteering: clean up campaigns with local people Day 6: Volunteering: kitchen garden with local women groups Day 7: Hiking in the hills in the Kathmandu Valley Day 8: Meeting with the main stakeholders and interaction with them Day 9: Guided sightseeing tour in heritage sites in Kathmandu Day 10: Visit to Bhaktapur Durbar square and Nagarkot Day 11: Free time and shopping in the morning, Evaluation and feedback in the afternoon, intercultural dinner in the evening Day 12: Departure Two European Volunteers (EVS, funded by Erasmus+) are involved in the scheduling of the project and will take part and contribute during the Study Visit. The Study Visit is hosted by Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) a non-religious, apolitical, non-governmental and non-profit organization, whose mission serves to directly empower Nepali vulnerable people and promote a greater sense of volunteerism in Nepal. Since 2005, VIN has been working to improve the socio-economic conditions of Nepal’s marginalized groups, especially women and children. The Organisation mobilizes skilled local and international volunteers in various development sectors, including educational programmes, trainings and counselling activities that significantly contribute to enhance the quality of life of Nepali disadvantaged people. One of the main goals of the Organisation is to promote equality, economic well-being and basic human rights through structured holistic development projects which encourage the advancement of the local communities. For more information about this Study Visit, please visit the official website: http://volunt-tour.info/study-visit-voluntour-nepal/