Update: Volunteer exchange possible with restrictions
KVT Finland board has in its meeting on 22nd September discussed the COVID-19 situation and its effects on KVT’s projects. As the travel restrictions have eased we can now open volunteer exchange with some restrictions.
At this moment it is possible to participate in short-term projects (i.e. international voluntary workcamps) abroad in Eu/Schengen countries as well as in countries also outside the EU where border traffic has returned to normal. These countries will change according to the Finnish Government instructions. Volunteers must check and comply with the travel regulations of each country.
Long-term volunteer exchange will be opened with restrictions starting from September. It is possible to go when the volunteer has received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine and the project and country in question are able to receive volunteers. Full vaccination is important because in many countries and regions the healthcare system is already burdened and accessing services is limited. We don’t want to put any unnecessary burden on healthcare.
The board and working groups are still planning activities that could be done safely online. We will give more information on these events on our website and in our social media channels. We will also share initiatives from our partner organisations in Finland and abroad to which you can participate online.
We still follow the pandemic closely both in Finland and elsewhere in the world and we review the situation monthly in board meetings. We also take part in regular discussions within our international network Service Civil International (SCI). We will continue to publish all future decisions on our website and in our social media channels. SCI also has a website where they give information on all common decisions and practices the network makes.
The leading principle in KVT’s actions is responsibility and in this situation we still cannot responsibly promote international mobility everywhere in the world. We still want to promote and build peace in ways and in the areas and where it is possible both in Finland and abroad and offer meaningful projects to our volunteers in the safest way possible.
If you have any questions on KVT activities or decisions, please contact KVT office ().