We want to thank all KVT members, volunteers, partners and other supporters for the woderful year. This past year we have had many types of activities and now it’s time to slow down and prepare for the next year. Our work for peace, volunteering and cooperation will continue next year too.
KVT office will be closed from Wed 24th December to Tue 6th January. During this period messages can be answered slower than usual also in our working groups.
The office and board wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Fall meeting on Thursday 27th of November at 5:30 pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) saunatupa in Helsinki. The meeting place is in the basement level of Peace station and there are stairs to the place (a ramp is also available, but the space isn’t fully accessible, you can check the details from the Peace station webpages: https://rauhanliitto.fi/en/rauhanasema/spaces-for-events/cabinet-and-sauna
The Fall meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual activity plan and budget plan for 2026 and choosing the chair and board members for 2026. Read more about the board member and chairperson applications. The annual meeting is open to all, but only members of KVT can vote. Please make sure you are a member before the meeting. Invitations will be sent to members directly by email, so if you have any doubts, make sure your contact details are updated too. Any questions regarding the Fall meeting or membership can be sent to the office .
After the Fall meeting we will continue the evening at the Peace station saunatupa with laid back pre-christmas hangout. We’ll have some snacks and coffee/tea. Join us for some good company even if you couldn’t participate in the fall meeting earlier.
Volunteer weekend is coming up and the registration is now open – come join us at Peace station in Helsinki on October 4th-5th for a weekend full of amazing program, food and company!
Welcome all new and old volunteers, and those of you who haven’t attended any of our activities yet but would like to know more. Program for the weekend will include e.g. sharing volunteer experinces, evaluation of our past year’s activities, info on different kinds of volunteering opportunities with KVT and – of course – sauna, food, and hanging out in great company.
You are welcome to join for the whole weekend or just one day, your choice. The event is free of charge.
Preliminary Program
Saturday
10:00–12:00: Walking trip to Helsinki’s Winter Garden
Departure from Rauhanasema at 10:00; you can drop off your bags at KVT’s office starting at 9:45 if needed. If you prefer, you can also join us directly at the Winter Garden. In case of rain, the walk can be changed to a tram ride.
12:00–18:00: Program at Rauhanasema
Getting to know each other, lunch, KVT’s news and information on our activities, a peace workshop, afternoon coffee, sharing volunteer experiences
18:00 onwards: Evening program (dinner, sauna, free socializing)
Sunday
10:00–16:00: Program at Rauhanasema
For those who have participated in volunteer projects (camps, long-term volunteering) in recent years: sharing experiences and project evaluation in small groups
How to stay involved in KVT’s activities
KVT at 80—ideas and wishes for the anniversary year in 2027!
Registration and practical information
You can register for the volunteer weekend using this form. Deadline for registration is on Friday, September 26th.
Please note that accommodation is not available at Rauhanasema. If you are coming from outside the Helsinki metropolitan area, belong to one of the three groups listed below, and require accommodation for the weekend, please let us know by Friday, September 19:
Event organizers
Leaders of Finnish camps from the past year
Participants who attended Finnish camps with supported places during the past year
For participants from outside the Helsinki metropolitan area, travel expenses will be reimbursed up to €40 per person (with the exception of the groups mentioned above, for whom travel expenses will be fully reimbursed).
If you have any further questions or are interested in helping with practical arrangements for the event, please don’t hesitate to reach out:
“ClimeART is an innovative project that merges artistic expression with climate activism, creating a platform for youth workers, artists, and climate activists to unite and engage in meaningful action.“
Our partner organisation SCI Austria is looking for participants in August to an EU funded training that focuses on combining climate and art themes. This training brings together young creatives, activists and change makers to change the discourse in climate and climate change through art activism. The trainings includes issues such translating emotions into art, using public spaces, learning to combine science with art and managing art projects.
The training will take place in Vienna, Austria between 19th and 27th August. The participant applications are open until 15th June.
Before the training in Austria, participants will also join an online preparation meeting. After the training participants get to put their new skills an ideas into practise in their home countries.
Would you like to gain experience of working with an international group, enhance your leadership skills, perhaps get to know new places and local communities in Finland, while contributing to building a world of peace and understanding? Join our 2024 work camps as a voluntary coordinator!
We are looking for two camp coordinators for each camp. Camp coordinator’s role is to facilitate communication between the international volunteer group, KVT and the local camp host. Camp coordinators participate in writing a camp info letter with KVT before the camp. At the beginning of the camp they welcome volunteers, help build group spirit among the volunteers and help the host with coordination of the daily life of the camp. Camp coordinators are not work supervisors, that is the role of the camp host. Camp coordinators are volunteers among the other camp group and participate in the daily life and work of the camp. After the camp they report to KVT about how the camp went.
Open and active attitude are the most important features for a camp coordinator. You will also need English skills sufficient for everyday communication and the camp coordinator tasks (some Finnish is helpful too, most camps require at least one camp coordinator to speak fluent Finnish). Having some previous experience of voluntary work or group activities is also an advantage. Camp coordinators don’t get paid, but trips to the camp coordinator training and to the camp are reimbursed and food and accommodation provided during the camp.
Before the camp, camp coordinators participate in a training organized by KVT on 7. – 8.6.2025. The training can be organised in Helsinki or online. The training includes information and workshops on various topics, including the role and tasks of the camp coordinator, group dynamics, intercultural encounters, and how to deal with possible problem situations during the camp and share expriences from previous camp coordinators. Taking part in KVT training is mandatory for camp coordinators. Camp coordinators should also join as KVT members.
Please check out the descriptions for upcoming camps here.
Camp coordinators also write an infosheet for the participants of their camp, with help from the camp host and KVT.
Camps with open camp coordinator positions:
1 camp coordinator for Sustainable renovations and gardening in a heritage landscape camp 3.8.-15.8.2025 in Teisko
You can read more about being a camp coordinator on our webpages.
Got interested? Great! Please drop us a message at and tell us 1) who you are and your contact information, 2) which camp you would like to be a camp coordinator in (2 or 3 options is good to have) and 3) why you want to be a camp coordinator. You can also tell us if you have previous experience of voluntary workcamps, other similar group activities, or if you have some other useful skills or experience.
We want to thank all KVT members, volunteers, partners and other supporters for the woderful year. This past year we have had many types of activities: visits and events, trainings and six international camps. We have received dozens of lovely volunteers in Finland and we have sent enthusiastic volunteers to camps, long-term projects, trainings and meetings all around the world. Our work for peace, volunteering and cooperation will continue next year too. Now it is time to slow down and prepare for the next year.
KVT office will be closed from Mon 23rd December to Mon 6th January. During this period messages will be answered slower than usual.
The office and board wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Fall meeting on Tuesday 26th of November at 5pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) in Helsinki. The Fall meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual activity plan and budget plan for 2025 and choosing the chair and board members for 2025. Read more about the board member applications. The annual meeting is open to all, but only members of KVT can vote. Please make sure you are a member before the meeting. Invitations will be sent to members directly by email, so if you have any doubts, make sure your contact details are updated too. Any questions regarding the Fall meeting can be sent to the office .
After the Fall meeting we will have a movie night for all interested people at the Peace station. The program starts after the Fall meeting, so if you only join the movie night, come to Peace station by 6:15pm. The movie night will continue with the themes familiar from the October Volunterr Weekend, such as environmental and responsibility issues. We’ll watch together a documentary called Day Zero – A city without water. The film focuses on water shortages and how they will affect cities and communities; it is estimated that one of four cities will face issues with water shortages in 2050. After the film we will discuss about the topic more and think about ways to promote responsible volunteering and traveling.
Some light snacks will be provided with coffee and tea. Please sign up for the movie night through this form so we know how much snacks to prepare.
Are you interested in association activities and gaining a deeper understanding of the management of a small organization? Would you like a front-row seat to influence what happens in KVT? Apply to join the board for 2025!
Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry (KVT) has been working for over 75 years to promote peace and understanding between people. At KVT’s volunteer camps, volunteers from different backgrounds work together towards a common goal, helping to challenge prejudices and break down barriers. KVT’s activities are grassroots-level peace work, grounded in cooperation and equality.
KVT’s activities are planned and carried out by a board, known as “Johtis,” consisting of 9-12 volunteers elected by KVT members. In Johtis, you will gain a deeper understanding of KVT’s work and peace activities both locally and internationally. You’ll gain experience in organizational governance and have the opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work with a great team. As a board member, you’ll develop your skills not only in traditional board activities but also by participating in events, trainings, and seminars.
The board meets about once a month, and meetings are held both in person and online, depending on the preferences of the board members. It’s also possible to attend in-person meetings remotely if needed.
You are welcome to join Johtis with any level of organizational experience; there are roles for both beginners and veterans. Board members share tasks based on their interests, and you don’t need to know everything beforehand. The most important things are enthusiasm for KVT, active participation in the board’s work, and sharing KVT’s values.
Each year, KVT elects a chairperson, 7 full board members, and 1-4 deputy members. At the start of the year, 1-2 vice-chairpersons are elected from among the full board members. The chairperson is expected to have at least some familiarity with KVT’s activities and experience in board work. The chairperson’s duties include chairing and preparing board meetings in collaboration with the executive director, representing KVT as an employer, coordinating the annual activity plan and report, and overseeing the organization’s finances with the executive director.
If you’re interested or would like to ask for more information, please send a short introduction about yourself to Chairperson Hanna Rask () by November 12th at the latest. In your introduction, please mention who you are, how familiar you are with KVT, and why you are interested in becoming a board member. The board members will be elected at KVT’s autumn general meeting on November 26th.
As the year is coming to and end KVT office will also take a break, enjoy Christmas time and get ready for the coming year.
KVT office will be closed from 22.12.2023 to 7.1.2024. We will be back at work on 8.1.2024.
Many thanks for all the active volunteers, KVT members, camp leaders, camp hosts and other partners for your cooperation! Happy Holidays, see you next year!
Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Fall meeting on Tuesday 28th of November at 5:30pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) in Helsinki.
The Fall meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual activity plan and budget plan for 2024 and choosing the chair and board members for 2024. Read more about the board member applications.
The annual meeting is open to all, but only members of KVT can vote. Please make sure you are a member before the meeting. Invitations will be sent to members directly, so if you have any doubts, make sure your contact details are updated too.
