“Hopefully, the VAI project will foster social inclusion of immigrants by developing volunteering frameworks and opportunities, removing potential obstacles, and strengthening relevant networks and experience sharing.”
Katerina Kostakou, Four Elements
Kostakou | 04/07/18 | english version | 03:07min
Kostakou | 04/07/18 | greek version | 03:10min
Written Version
The Organization
Four Elements is a Non – Profit, Non – Governmental Organization based in Athens, Greece, certified by both the Ministry of Affairs and the Ministry of Health.Our mission is to contribute towards sustainable development and efficient utilisation of all available resources in society for creating a better living environment. To do so, Four Elements focuses on issues pertaining to social inclusion, equal opportunities, scientific research, and capacity building. Through the implementation of various national and European projects we target specific social target groups, such as immigrants and refugees, women in difficult situations, children at risk, and the long – term unemployed. We are, also, running a Volunteer’s Programme for people who are willing to offer to the community and share our core values and vision for a world of equal opportunities for all.
Our Role in the VAI project
Four Elements is more than excited to participate in the VAI project, as the project’s objectives match perfectly to the organisation’s mission. Leading the project’s Work Package of Capacity Building, Four Elements’ will help immigrants to construct themselves as both immigrants and current or potential volunteers, and will also facilitate the engagement of immigrant volunteers in NGOs and other organisations. In that framework, three main results will be produced: An Orientation Manual for Volunteers that will guide any organisation on how to involve third country nationals as volunteers, a Guide for Immigrants Volunteers that will assist them in looking for a volunteer role that suits them, and a Guide for Training Immigrants in Voluntary Work that will help trainers of volunteers to design and deliver appropriate training programmes. Four Elements is, also, responsible for the Quality Assurance of the project, ensuring that all implemented activities and produced results abide by the high-quality standards that have been set.
Our expectations
Hopefully, the VAI project will foster social inclusion of immigrants by developing volunteering frameworks and opportunities, removing potential obstacles, and strengthening relevant networks and experience sharing. Directly addressing current challenges that all consortium countries and Greece in particular are facing, VAI will pave the way for the integration of migrants in society, a process that requires mutual cooperation of both immigrants and the host community.