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APERO Job Shadowing Activity Report
Participant Information
Name: Janka
Sending organization: Egyesek Youth Association
Host organization: Smokinya Foundation
Country / City of placement: Plovdiv and Mrachenik, Bulgaria
Dates of activity: 14-16 January 2025
Total days attended: 3
Janka Becsey, our youth worker colleague from Szécsény, participated in the job shadowing project at Smokinya Foundation.
I spent three days job shadowing at Smokinya in Bulgaria, between 13-15 January. This experience provided a broad overview of their work with European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers and Erasmus+ programs, as well as their practical approach to youth work. I chose this opportunity because with Smokinya we have similar visions and activities, also we are working in similar environments.
During these days, I learned about Smokinya’s history, strategies and methods, focusing on the management of ESC and Erasmus+. The organization puts emphasis on open communication, responsibility, ownership and structure. Volunteers are supported through routines, regular check-ins, and well-defined expectations, which gives continuity in both daily work and long-term projects.
With the full support of Tihomir (the leader of the organization), within these few days, I could take part in different activities: from planning and coordination to hands-on, practical work. I participated in online morning kickoff meetings with volunteers and youth workers, which serve as a daily alignment and follow-up tool. I also spent time in both the Plovdiv office and the village of Mrachenik, where the dream of Smokinya is coming true. They are developing a youth center in an immense former school building, which was not used for decades.
In Mrachenik, I met the volunteers and youth workers and took part in their everyday activities. This included practical tasks such as chopping wood for heating, moving equipment, and maintaining shared spaces. These activities are not treated as secondary but are integrated into the learning process, reinforcing teamwork, responsibility, and a sense of ownership among the volunteers.
My main personal takeaways from the job shadowing were the importance of strong onboarding processes, consistent routines, and regular follow-ups with volunteers. These elements are essential for maintaining motivation, structure, and long-term development.
Of course, we discussed the shared challenges as well. Working in a rural area, where volunteering and non-profit organizations are not common, youth work gets little support from the authorities. The fluctuation of youth workers, working from project to project are present. In spite of the hard situations, the organization is growing and developing steadily.
Overall, the job shadowing experience with Smokinya provided a concrete and realistic example of how structure, trust, and responsibility can lead to visible results and sustainable youth work.
“Alliance for Participation, Empowerment, and Resilient Organizations” – KA210-YOUTH project about NGOs who have, or want to have soon, a venue for hosting events, trainings, residencies, volunteering and other educational programs, both for youth and adults. Project identification card.
Objectives
The project brings together five organizations to exchange practices on establishing and managing rural centers for sustainable community spaces. We aim to share methods for involving youth in decision-making, explore diverse financial strategies to strengthen financial resilience, and exchange knowledge on diversifying activities and civic involvement across different contexts.
Activities
We will conduct job shadowing activities across five countries, where participants will observe the regular activities of partner organizations, focusing on best practices in managing rural centers, youth engagement, and financial sustainability. The project includes workshops and hands-on learning to help partners achieve the objectives. Regular online meetings will ensure collaboration, and an evaluation meeting will review outcomes and plan future steps.
Impact
The project will result in the implementation of new methods for managing rural centers, youth participation in decision-making, and diversified funding strategies across the five partner organizations. Each partner will apply specific practices learned from job shadowing, improving their operations. The project will also create a foundation for future collaboration and long-term partnerships between organizations.
Project timeline
Start date 01-03-2025
End date 30-06-2026
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Website of the coordinator: CITIZENS LAB, Berlin
Should you have a question, contact us: info@smokinya.com.
This project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
