From March 16th to 20th, 2026, the System and Generation team took an active role in the VOLT study visit held at the National Youth Centre Villa Elba in Finland. Bringing together youth work professionals from across Europe, the program featured intensive workshops on managing ESC volunteering teams and enhancing the quality of non-formal learning. S&G representatives engaged in hands-on sessions covering innovative mentoring tools and digital methodologies that can be integrated into the organization’s upcoming local and international activities. Beyond the professional sessions, the team strengthened its international network through site visits and cultural exchange activities in the unique natural setting of the Finnish coast.
Participant Perspectives:
In terms of mentoring strategies, we gained invaluable insights during the seminar that will be highly applicable in our field operations. As an Erasmus Mobility Coordinator, it was a fantastic experience to engage with associations, hearing about their project histories and sharing our own expertise in return. To expand our volunteer network, we thoroughly compared our working methodologies with various associations, focusing on how to enhance the quality of European Solidarity Corps projects. Throughout the interactive sessions in Kokkola, we didn't just exchange ideas; we actively explored ways to optimize the volunteer journey, from initial arrival protocols to long-term impact assessment. The study visit also provided a vital platform to align our organizational goals with the EU Youth Strategy, ensuring our future mobilities are more inclusive and sustainable. I am confident that the 'Walk&Talk' sessions have paved the way for strong, lasting partnerships, and I look forward to implementing these fresh perspectives to elevate the support we provide to our volunteers.. - Ahmet Hamza Yüksel
In Kokkola, I had the opportunity to take part in a Study Visit alongside coordinators and presidents of organizations from five different countries. During this training, we explored mentoring methodologies, learned how to effectively manage a Volunteering Teams project, and gained in-depth knowledge about Youthpass procedures as well as how the first 72 hours of a volunteer’s experience should be structured. The program created a strong environment for knowledge exchange, enabling us to build meaningful partnerships between our organizations. As part of this collaboration, we also visited a partner organization in Sweden, where we observed the accommodation arrangements prepared for our future volunteers. I also embraced interactive working methods such as Learning Cafe and Walk&Talk, which enhanced participation and collaboration throughout the activities. Additionally, we carried out impactful work aligned with the EU Youth Goals, strengthening our commitment to youth development at a European level..- Emil Shivakhanov
Participating in this program in Finland brought me very valuable gains both personally and professionally. Being in the same environment with people from different countries helped me discover diverse perspectives and realize that cultural differences do not divide us, but rather enrich us in many ways. Throughout the process, I once again understood how important teamwork, communication, and mutual understanding are. Finland’s organized, calm, and learning-oriented atmosphere also made this experience even more meaningful for me. Thanks to this program, I not only gained new knowledge, but also built unforgettable friendships, got to know myself better, and became even more motivated to take part in similar international projects in the future.- Murat Volkan Şimşek
