CATAPA

CATAPA is a volunteer movement which strives for a world in which the extraction of non-renewable resources is no longer necessary. The extraction of such materials always entails major social and environmental impacts and fuels conflict. In working towards global social and environmental justice, we focus on mining issues (ecological disasters, human rights violations, etc.) in Latin America, where we support local communities in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia who are threatened by large-scale mining projects.

Our main activities are:

• Internationalisation of the struggle of our partners in Latin-America and capacity building
• Awareness raising on the impact of metal consumption amongst Belgian population
• Creating a movement for sustainable consumption and production
• Lobby and research

CATAPA is a grassroots movement, which means that we are mostly dependent on the work of our volunteers – the Catapistas. As a grassroots movement, we also work together with other grassroots movements in our partner countries.

Fair ICT

Catapa is currently engaged in two campaigns at EU level and one at regional level, together with European and local partners. The main goal of these campaigns is to make the supply chain of ICT devices, which includes smartphones, laptops, etc. more sustainable and fair.

CATAPA focuses on the very first part of the global ICT supply chain: the extraction of metals and minerals. The first stage of electronic devices’ supply chain is raw materials extraction, since they contain a wide range of different metals and minerals. Extractivism causes devastating environmental impacts and human rights violations across the globe. Also the ICT production sector is characterized by inhuman and dangerous working conditions, strongly affecting workers’ physical and mental health. Both individuals and public consumers have an essential role in influencing the supply chain because they may make decisions and ask for policies that can change the current unsustainable system.

Catapa works to reach fair ICT through:

• Awareness raising of the broader public
• Advocacy towards public and private institutions for more sustainable ICT procurement (from purchasing to reuse policy)
• Supply chain research
• Lobby activities for better legislation
• Searching and supporting solutions & alternatives
• Supporting organisations to develop a more sustainable ICT purchasing policy

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for two ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteers to support the CATAPA movement, and in particular the campaigns about fair ICT. One volunteer to support with Communications and one volunteer to support with the Education and campaigning areas. The volunteers will be trained to think critically and spread knowledge of these issues and to encourage other young people to become active EU citizens. The tasks are flexible depending on your learning goals and the needs of the organisation.

You will mainly be working in our office team (4 part-time staff + 2 ESC volunteers + variable number of interns) which supports the work of the movement. Since CATAPA is a volunteer movement, you will be working in close collaboration with motivated and enthusiastic volunteers.

What do we offer?

• A warm welcome in our horizontally organized movement with plenty of learning opportunities and new connections
• A young, motivated team of employees and volunteers
• A monthly fee of 750 Euros to cover accommodation and daily expenses
• Reimbursement of travel expenses from the country of origin and back, at the end of your volunteer placement (limited amount)
• One language course (Dutch, English or Spanish) and options to follow trainings to develop your personal skills.
• Work-related expenses are paid by CATAPA

This call is part of the European Solidarity Corps. It’s an European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer in projects abroad. This means Belgian people can’t apply for this vacancy.

The volunteer positions will start from the 1st of September, for a period of 12 months and 30 hours a week.

Interested or more information?

Please send your CV and motivation letter to communication@catapa.be before the 7th of June 2020. Please, remember to specify which one of the two positions you are applying for in the subject of the email and in your motivation letter. If you have any questions concerning these vacancies, don’t hesitate to contact us at the same email.

More information: www.catapa.be