FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMPS IN SERBIA

presented by Young Researchers of Serbia Voluntary Service of Serbia

together with 16 local partners
When others leave, we go in!


Dear colleagues from International Voluntary Service Organisations,

In light of the recent floods in Serbia (May 2014) and the natural disaster that has left the country in
bad condition, YRS is announcing additional workcamps to support the reconstruction. We are
involved on the national level with more than 30 organisations, mapping the areas that need
reconstruction (39 municipalities in total) and that would benefit from workcamps. The main part of
the workcamps involves national volunteers, but we are opening places for the international
volunteers as well. The international involvement of volunteers has always been in root of our
mission and we believe represents an important aspect of every nations recovery.

We would like to thank all the organizations who replied to our call for support and already started
promoting flood relief workcamps through newsletters, brochures and websites in the past 2
months. Thank you especially for supporting our proposal to donate your inscription fees as on-the-
workcamp solidarity participation fee.

Without a participation fee at workcamps, we will not be able host international volunteers. In order
to avoid double costs for volunteers (inscription + participation fee), we propose that all the
volunteers recruited for the flood relief workcamps in Serbia, could pay the amount of the usual
inscription fee not to the sending organisations, but as a participation fee at the workcamp.
CODE NAME / PLACE DATUMI TYPE NUMBER OF VOLS NOTE
VSS 10 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Obrenovac I
04/08 - 18/08 RENO
SOCI

20 (10 international) 18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30
VSS 20 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Veliko Gradiste
04/08 - 18/08 ENVI 15 (both international
and from Serbia)
+5 local
18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30
VSS 22 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Valjevo
08/08 19/08 RENO 12 (6 international)
+6 local
18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30
VSS 23 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Smederevska Palanka
11/08 25/08 RENO
ART
SOCI
ENVI
15 (5 international)
+5 local
18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30
VSS 25 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Obrenovac II
19/08 01/09 RENO
SOCI

20 (10 international) 18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30
VSS 26 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP,
Obrenovac III
02/09 15/09 RENO
SOCI

20 (10 international) 18-30, exceptions possible for
over 30

In this way, their Sending Organisations are contributing by doing their usual practice of sending
volunteers, without a fee. And volunteers would pay the usual fee a solidarity fee. So, it doesnt
involve any extra costs to the organisations.
Everything over will be used for tools for work. All extras will be sent to the Youth Foundation of
Obrenovac (the most damaged town in the floods). A financial report will be made public after the
season.

The encouragement you gave us puts the wind in our backs and gives us strength to deal with the
situation Serbia is in.

The majority of workcamps are open only for national volunteers, as it is easier to recruit and more
effective in terms of organisation and communication. However, the international dimension is very
important, even if international volunteers will be involved in just a small part of this years
workcamps.

Thank you.

YRS-VSS team

IMPORTANT INFO FOR THE VOLUNTEERS:

The workcamps will not involve any dangerous work. They will focus on:
after flood reconstruction of public places,
renovation of used and production of new furniture of pallets for socially disadvantaged
families as a temporary or permanent solution,
organizing social activities for local communities affected by floods, as there is no
cultural/social content in affected areas and morale is low,
workcamps in non-affected areas will gather children and young people from affected
areas, as a break from everyday life in affected areas,
cleaning and reconstructing public places, nature parks, lake and river banks etc.
Workcamps are not the first line of flood relief activities, which is being delivered by the government
since the beginning of the floods in May 2014, but a second line of action when the media attention
decrease, big agencies finish and there is still a lot to be done especially towards the poorest
communities who have been left with nothing. This means that the flood relief workcamps will not
involve any risky work and will not put the volunteers in any potential dangerous situations or ask for
volunteers with specific skills, only for volunteers with emotional readiness and flexibility to join.

Most of the workcamps will involve national volunteers from all over Serbia that may not speak
English at all or have the basic knowledge. All volunteers should expect more modest conditions
(sleeping mainly in schools) and they should be ready to adapt to a change in work tasks if needed
and be flexible.

Detailed infosheets will follow with concrete advices for a better preparation.

VSS 10 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Obrenovac I
Type: RENO/SOCI
Dates: 04/08 - 18/08
Number of volunteers: 20 (10 international)
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: Civic Initiatives from Belgrade, Youth Office Obrenovac, Youth Foundation
Obrenovac
Location: Obrenovac is one of the 17 Belgrade municipalities. It is named by the royal family
Obrenovic, whose summerhouse and library are still
there (flooded). It is surrounded by three rivers, with
a recreational area and a spa. Obrenovac is proud of
its rich cultural life. Of all affected places, Obrenovac
was damaged the most in the May floods.
Project: renovation of damaged public spaces,
psychological support to the most endangered
families who are left without homes, organisation of
quality free time for young people in Obrenovac.
Work: Volunteers will help in cleaning and renovation
of public spaces, schools, kindergartens, libraries,
parks, playgrounds, sport fields, houses of the most
endangered and poor families. It will be of the most importance to talk to people and give them
support to continue with their lives. Workshops for children and youth with be organised together
with the organisation Save the children.
Leisure: During August, beside all challenges, the municipality and the local organisers will open the
traditional summer cultural festival Summer in Obrenovac, as in the past years: theatre, concerts,
literary evenings, children plays and cinema. The International Youth Day, 12
th
of August, will be
celebrated during the workcamp on the national level in Obrenovac.
Language: Serbian and English.
Accommodation & Food: In one of the big halls of the Cultural-sport center, one the first floor (the
ground floor has been flooded). There will be folding beds, so bring your sleeping bag and pillow.
Toilets and showers are functional, even though they have been flooded. Volunteers will eat in a
nearby restaurant.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Special remarks: No special skills needed just high flexibility and motivation.


VSS 20 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Veliko Gradiste
Type: ENVI
Dates: 04/08 - 18/08
Number of volunteers: 15 (both international and from Serbia) +5 local
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: NGO Chance, Youth Office Veliko Gradiste, Youth Office Golubac, Municipality of
Veliko Gradiste.
Location: Veliko Gradiste is 115km from Belgrade. The workcamp will take place on the banks of the
river Pek, both in Veliko Gradiste and the nearby Golubac. The river flooded in May 2014 and caused a
great damage to the community and environment.
The river Pek is mentioned in many travel diaries and is well known as the Serbian El Dorado, being
rich in gold. It enters the Danube at Veliko Gradiste giving us a spectacular panoramic and a rich
biodiversity including some of the rare species of flora and fauna. The state border crossing for
international boats is also there at Veliko Gradiste.
Project: Clearing and cleaning of the river Peks
shores; raising awareness among the local community
on the importance of environmental protection and
active participation through voluntary work.
Work: The workcamp complies of various work,
cultural and educational activities. Volunteers will
clean the river shores affected by the May floods of
garbage and material from affected households
brought by the river, making corks that prevent the
natural course of water. All collected plastic will be recycled thanks to the donation of the PET press
by the local municipality.
In spite of many challenges, one of the important aspects of the workcamp will be contributing to
the cultural program during the summer, thus supporting the locals in handling the new reality. The
International Youth Day will be celebrated during the workcamp as a part of the cultural summer
festival organised by the municipality.
Leisure: As the volunteers will be camping at the
beautiful Silver lake, you could swim, enjoy the
summer, meet the locals. Nearby there are medieval
fortresses: Ram where Danube is 5km wide, Golubac,
Smederevo and many other interesting sites we could
explore together.
Language: Serbian and
English.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Accommodation & Food: Autocamp Silver Lake. In caravans, no need
for sleeping bag. Volunteers will eat in a nearby restaurant.



VSS 22 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Valjevo
Type: RENO
Dates: 08/08 19/08
Number of volunteers: 12 (6 international)
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: NGO Good People
Location: In the central Serbia, 100km south-west of Belgrade. Valjevo is situated on the banks of 2
rivers, Kolubara and Gradac, approximately 100 km south west from Belgrade. In this small town
you can find great mixture of traditional, old fashioned and modern architecture and culture. It is
surrounded by beautiful mountains. With wide variety of cultural monuments, rivers, mountains,
Valjevo is a town with expanding tourism and an important administrative, commercial and cultural
center.
Project: renovation of used and production of new furniture of pallets for socially disadvantaged
families as a temporary or permanent solution.
Work: Volunteers will collect and renovate (clean, paint, fix) old furniture donated to the most
endangered families. They will learn how to make furniture themselves out of wooden pallets.
Leisure: There will be various educational and art workshops, concerts, sightseeing and evenings out
with the locals.
Language: Serbian and English.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Accommodation & Food: Food will be provided by the host. Accommodation not yet set, but
probably in a school, folding beds provided.
Special remarks: Volunteers should be flexible and ready to work outdoors. No need to be skilled in
creating furniture, but it is an asset to have volunteers with good manual and artistic skills. Please
specify in your application form.



VSS 23 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Smederevska Palanka
Type: RENO/ART/SOCI/ENVI
Dates: 11/08 25/08
Number of volunteers: 15 (5 international) +5 local
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: Youth of JAZAS Pozarevac, Youth Office Smederevska Palanka
Location: Smederevska Palanka is 90km from Belgrade. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers
and is one of the oldest inhabited places in Serbia from 4500
5000 years ago. Since then, there were Illyrians, Thracians,
Celts, Romans, Huns, Avars and, finally, Slavs. Nowadays it is
a small town but with a rich cultural heritage and tradition.
In its municipality of 17 villages and 4 towns, majority of
them were flooded in the May Floods.
Project: renovation of damaged public spaces, psychological
support to the most endangered families who are left
without homes, organisation of quality free time for young
people, raising awareness on the importance of active youth
participation through voluntary work.
Work: Renovation and decoration of children playgrounds, cleaning the river shores, towns sports
hall, the park and houses of the disadvantaged families cleaning, painting, mowing, constructing.
They will provide help in cleaning, painting, mowing, constructing the houses and give psychological
support to those households (of old, poor and socially disadvantaged people) who were affected the
most in the floods.
Leisure: There will be various educational and art workshops, concerts, sightseeing and evenings out
with the locals.
Language: Serbian and English.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Accommodation & Food: In a local school gym with folding beds, toilets. Showers will be in another
location, about 500m away. Food will be provided by the host.
Special remarks: Volunteers should be flexible and ready to work outdoors. No need to be specially
skilled, but it is an asset to have volunteers with good manual and artistic skills (painting the children
rooms). Please specify in your application form.

VSS 25 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Obrenovac II
Type: RENO /SOCI
Dates: 19/08 01/09
Number of volunteers: 20 (10 international)
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: Civic Initiatives from Belgrade, Youth Office Obrenovac, Youth Foundation
Obrenovac
Location: Obrenovac is one of the 17 Belgrade municipalities. It
is named by the royal family Obrenovic, whose summerhouse
and library are still there (flooded). It is surrounded by three
rivers, with a recreational area and a spa. Obrenovac is proud
of its rich cultural life. Of all affected places, Obrenovac was
damaged the most in the May floods.
Project: renovation of damaged public spaces, psychological
support to the most endangered families who are left without
homes, organisation of quality free time for young people in
Obrenovac.
Work: Volunteers will help in cleaning and renovation of public spaces, schools, kindergartens,
libraries, parks, playgrounds, sport fields, houses of the most endangered and poor families. It will be
of the most importance to talk to people and give them support to continue with their lives.
Workshops for children and youth with be organised together with the organisation Save the
children.
Leisure: During August, beside all challenges, the municipality and the local organisers will open the
traditional summer cultural festival Summer in Obrenovac, as in the past years: theatre, concerts,
literary evenings, children plays and cinema.
Language: Serbian and English.
Accommodation & Food: In one of the big halls of the Cultural-sport center, one the first floor (the
ground floor has been flooded). There will be folding beds, so bring your sleeping bag and pillow.
Toilets and showers are functional, even though they have been flooded. Volunteers will eat in a
nearby restaurant.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Special remarks: No special skills needed just high flexibility and motivation.










VSS 26 FLOOD RELIEF WORKCAMP, Obrenovac III
Type: RENO / SOCI
Dates: 02/09 15/09
Number of volunteers: 20 (10 international)
Age limit: 18-30, exceptions possible for over 30
Local organisers: Civic Initiatives from Belgrade, Youth Office Obrenovac, Youth Foundation
Obrenovac
Location: Obrenovac is one of the 17
Belgrade municipalities. It is named by
the royal family Obrenovic, whose
summerhouse and library are still there
(flooded). It is surrounded by three
rivers, with a recreational area and a spa.
Obrenovac is proud of its rich cultural
life. Of all affected places, Obrenovac
was damaged the most in the May
floods.
Project: renovation of damaged public
spaces, psychological support to the
most endangered families who are left
without homes, organisation of quality free time for young people in Obrenovac.
Work: Volunteers will help in cleaning and renovation of public spaces, schools, kindergartens,
libraries, parks, playgrounds, sport fields, houses of the most endangered and poor families. It will be
of the most importance to talk to people and give them support to continue with their lives.
Workshops for children and youth with be organised together with the organisation Save the
children.
Leisure: There will be various educational and art workshops, concerts, sightseeing and evenings out
with the locals..
Language: Serbian and English.
Accommodation & Food: In one of the big halls of the Cultural-sport center, one the first floor (the
ground floor has been flooded). There will be folding beds, so bring your sleeping bag and pillow.
Toilets and showers are functional, even though they have been flooded. Volunteers will eat in a
nearby restaurant.
Nearest Airport: Belgrade
Special remarks: No special skills needed just high flexibility and motivation.