Thank you volunteers!

Volunteers’ Week

This week it’s Volunteers’ Week in Belgium, a time to think about and thank the work of all the volunteers who have been collaborating for years to make the CATAPA project possible.

Thanks in a million!!!!

As every year, we have the opportunity to welcome two volunteers in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps, a programme funded by the European Commission that brings young people the opportunity to volunteer around Europe in social and environmental projects. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop.

Currently, in Belgium, there are a large number of volunteers working on multiple projects, which are managed by JINT (Nationaal Agentschap voor Erasmus+ Jeugd).  

Our two 2021-22 ESC volunteers, Connor and Laura, were invited to participate these days in a gathering with them. A space for volunteer training, to explore the interculturality of the group, to meet international people and to have a meaningful and educational experience.

During the training, bonding activities took place among the volunteers as well as reflection sessions about the volunteer tasks in order to learn from each other.

Do you have nice #catapistas pictures yourself? Send them to communication.sc@vzw.catapa.be! Or share them via social media with #catapistas & don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @catapa_vzw or on Facebook @catapa.belgium.

Are you a catapista yourself? We’d love to hear what you would like us to organise in the future! Share your ideas via this form.

Become a Catapa Volunteer!

Thanks a lot & see you soon!

ESC Catapa 2021

CATAPA’s new ESC Volunteers

CATAPA’s new ESC Volunteers

This past September we welcomed two new members to our office. They are part of the European Solidarity Corps, a programme funded by the European Commission that brings young people the opportunity to volunteer around Europe in social and environmental projects. It offers an inspiring and empowering experience for young people who want to help, learn and develop.

This year, CATAPA is further focusing on the topics Degrowth and a Wellbeing Economy. We currently have two working lines: Education & Movement, and Communication & Campaigns.

Connor

I’m Connor, from Ireland, and I am gonna be working in the Education and Movement’s field. I studied BA Politics and International Relations and a Masters in International Development at the University of Sheffield. During my studies, I had been focused on neo-extractivism in Ecuador and alternatives to capitalism’s socio-ecological destruction such as Degrowth and Buen Vivir.

ESC Connor

The ESC programme has provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute towards a cause I deeply care about, experience a new and unfamiliar culture, and push myself beyond my limits

Laura

I’m Laura, from Barcelona, and I am gonna be working in the Communication & Campaigns field. I studied Journalism and I recently finished a Master in Corporate and Strategic Communication. I had the opportunity to work as a journalist in Colombia in a media with a focus on Human Rights and, as a result of this experience, I want to focus my work on the defense of Human and Environmental Rights. Therefore, I believe that doing European volunteering in an organization that works with affected communities and fights for a greener and fairer planet fits perfectly with my objectives and my values.

ESC Laura

The ESC Volunteering is the perfect opportunity to contribute to a cause you believe in, develop yourself in the personal and professional field, as well as to step out of your comfort zone and discover a new country, people and culture