🇫🇮 Culture and Creativity in North Karelia – ESC Volunteering in Finland! 🎨❄️

Ready to combine art, culture, and youth work in the magical landscapes of Finland? 🌍✨
The European Solidarity Corps project “Culture and Creativity in North Karelia” invites young volunteers to spend two creative months at Hyvärilä Youth and Holiday Centre in Nurmes, Finland, exploring the unique culture of Karelia and bringing it to life through art and imagination!

Hosted by Nuoriso- ja Matkailukeskus Hyvärilä Oy, this project blends creativity, cultural exploration, and youth education, offering a once-in-a-lifetime winter volunteering experience in the heart of nature. 🌲

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🎭 About the Project

During this 2-month ESC project, volunteers will:
🎨 Explore local culture, history, and the Finnish epic Kalevala.
🎬 Use a nearby movie set to design creative youth activities.
🌿 Discover North Karelia’s cultural and natural heritage.
💡 Develop a new creative program for young visitors (aged 13–25) at Hyvärilä youth centre.

This experience blends artistic creation with youth work, helping volunteers grow their skills in adventure education, teamwork, and intercultural learning — all while enjoying Finland’s snowy winter in a warm, welcoming environment. 🇫🇮✨

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🏠 Accommodation, Meals & Travel

🏡 Volunteers stay on-site at Hyvärilä Youth Centre in a cosy wooden house, each having a private room and shared kitchen, shower, and living room.
🍽️ Meals are served at the youth centre cafeteria.
🚲 A bicycle is provided for local transport (3.5 km to Nurmes).
✈️ Travel costs, accommodation, and meals are fully covered under the ESC programme.
💶 Pocket money: €7 per day.
🌨️ Warm clothes are available for volunteers during Finland’s coldest months!

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🧭 Training & Support

📘 On-arrival training and an introduction week at Hyvärilä Youth Centre.
🎯 Continuous mentoring and guidance throughout the volunteering period.
🗓️ Volunteers also earn 2 holiday days per month in accordance with Finnish work law.

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👥 Participant Profile

This opportunity is perfect for young people who are:
✅ Passionate about culture, history, creativity, and art.
✅ Excited to work with youth from different countries.
✅ Curious about nature and rural life in Finland.
✅ Open-minded, adaptable, and eager to learn new skills.

If you love culture, teamwork, and peaceful natural environments — this project is for you! 🌍💙

📸 Learn more on Instagram:
@volunteers_eastfinland & @hyvarilaninternational

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🌎 Eligible Countries

🇦🇲 Armenia | 🇦🇹 Austria | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 🇫🇷 France | 🇬🇪 Georgia | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 🇮🇸 Iceland | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 🇲🇹 Malta | 🇲🇩 Moldova | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 🇵🇱 Poland | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇷🇴 Romania | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 🇺🇦 Ukraine

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📅 Application Details

🗓️ Activity Dates: 15 January – 15 March 2026
📋 Project Code: 2024-1-FI01-ESC51-VTJ-000197144
🕒 Application Deadline: 1 December 2025 (10:00)
🔗 Official Listing: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/48978_en

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⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.

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