ClimeART -training in Austria 19.-27.8.

Toiminnanjohtaja on 2.6.2025

“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.

Read the full call for participants here, the application form is here.

KVT’s Volunteer Day in April

Hanna Rask on 9.2.2025

Hi KVT’s volunteer, alumni, partner, or a young person interested in volunteering and peace,

Here is something to mark in your calendar: KVT’s bi-annual volunteer weekend is coming again on April 5th at the Peace Station in Pasila, Helsinki.

Join us for a day full of exciting program from getting to know this summer’s projects, workshops and getting to know other volunteers. You will also have a chance to enjoy sauna and hang out together in the evening. We will try and organize accommodation with our Helsinki volunteers to those of you coming from outside of Helsinki.

Registration for the event is free and participants will be provided with food the whole day. Registration and a more detailed program will be published soon!

All KVT’s members are welcome to join the weekend; if you are not yet a member or have not yet paid this year’s membership fee, you can do that at any time before the event. 

If you would like to help with practical arrangements of the event (kitchen help, workshop facilitation, evening program..), feel free to contact Anni ().

Hope to see you in April!

KVT fall meeting and movie night 26.11. in Helsinki

Toiminnanjohtaja on 6.11.2024

Rauhanasema, keltainen puutalo.

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.

Welcome!

Applications open for KVT board of 2025

Toiminnanjohtaja on 16.10.2024

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.

KVT’s annual Fall meeting on Tue 28th November at Peace Station

Toiminnanjohtaja on 6.11.2023

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.

KVT signs umbrella organization SCI’s statement for peace in Gaza

Toiminnanjohtaja on 26.10.2023

Kuvassa SCI:n, CCIVS:n ja ICYE:n logot sekä teksti "We call for an immediate ceasefire in GazAa"

We follow with sadness the escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel. Our hearts go out to all families and individuals who have suffered losses. We condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel and its civilians, just as we condemn Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians. Violence against civilians is never acceptable.

We also want to highlight the decades-long roots of the conflict, in which Israel has occupied and controlled Palestinian areas and violated international agreements and Palestinians human rights. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is not a conflict between two equal parties.

We therefore call:

  • upon the Israeli authorities to reach an immediate ceasefire and urgently allow humanitarian support for Gaza, including restoring water, fuel and electricity.
  • upon Hamas to stop the indiscriminate attacks towards unarmed civilians.
  • upon the international community to take the necessary responsibility and put strong pressure on the Israeli government to reach an immediate ceasefire and urgently allow humanitarian support for Gaza.
  • upon all parties to start a genuine peace process.
  • for civil society organisations and governments all over the world to speak out strongly against all forms of racism and antisemitism.

As peace organizations, we stand for non-violence and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Peace does not come overnight, but it requires continuous and active work and people dedicated to peace work. However, the first step must be to end the destruction and violence, end the occupation and ensure fair treatment for the Palestinians.

Read the full statement on the website of our umbrella organization Service Civil International (SCI).

This week we also celebrate International Disarmament Week. As the UN Secretary General has stated, “…disarmament and arms control have played a critical role in preventing and ending crises and armed conflict. Heightened tensions and dangers are better resolved through serious political dialogue and negotiation—not by more arms.”

The Peace Union of Finland has put together some tips on how you can help (in Finnish) through peaceful means and support the Palestinians in Gaza.

Join KVT’s board for 2024!

Hanna Rask on 1.10.2023

Would you like to get to know how a small NGO operates? Do you wish to have a greater impact on what KVT is doing? Join our board for 2024!

KVT has worked for peace through grass-root level voluntary work already for more than 70 years. On our voluntary workcamps we bring together people from different backgrounds to contribute to a common cause and to learn from each other, which we believe helps to create understanding and combat harmful stereotypes and prejudice. This grass-root level peace work is based on ideas of cooperation, equity and promoting of active citizenship.

KVT’s work is planned and coordinated by our board that consists of 10 to 12 active volunteers. As a board member, you will learn about KVT’s activities and peace work on both local and international level, get experience of how a board of a small organization operates, and get to do meaningful voluntary work in inspiring company. In addition to ‘traditional’ board activities, you will also get to participate in different events, trainings and seminars.

The board meets about once a month, either in person or online depending on the board members’ preferences. It is also possible to attend the in-person meetings online if needed.

The board is open to people with all levels of NGO experience; whether you have years of experience in different NGOs or are just beginning to learn about the field, you are welcome as you are. Tasks are divided among board members according to everybody’s own interests, and you don’t need to know everything beforehand. The most important that you are interested in having your impact on KVT’s work, share our values and are ready to commit to be an active part of the board.

If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact the chair person Hanna Rask () to provide a short introduction of yourself, of how well you know KVT and why you would like to join the board. The new board members will be elected in our annual meeting on Tuesday, November 28th.

Are you already familiar with KVT and board work, and into broadening your experience of both?

We are also looking for a chair person and two vice chairs for 2024! Some of the tasks of the chairs are chairing of board meetings, preparing the meetings together with the executive director, representing the board as an employer, coordination of the annual plan of action and annual report, and closer follow-up of KVT’s finances together with the executive director. The chair person will be elected in the same annual meeting on November 28th, and the new board will select the vice chairs at the beginning of the year. Contact Hanna for more details!

Join KVT Volunteer Weekend on September 30th and October 1st!

Toiminnanjohtaja on 29.8.2023

Ohoy KVT volunteers and supporters! 

Did you do a workcamp or long-term project during the summer? Are you a former KVT activist and would like to find yourself back in the beloved KVT community? Are your friends and family sick and tired of listening to your stories about your volunteering project? Or are you interested about international voluntary work? Worry not, KVT’s legendary Volunteer Weekend is here again!

What’s to come is two days of awesome program, chilling in great company and, of course, wonderful food! Whether you already know us or are a new volunteer, all are welcome.

Come meet old friends and get to know new ones!

What?

A two-day community event at the Peace Station in Helsinki: with the aim of getting to know KVT, other volunteers and share experiences about volunteering and peace work in Finland and abroad. On Saturday we will visit the Ukrainian aid center, evaluate last year’s projects and learn more about non-violent communication.

On Sunday well spend time in nature and then come back to the Peace Station to hang out and make some button pins for ourselves and for KVT fundraising. You can attend one day only or come for the whole weekend!

If you come farther away and you need a place to sleep in, please let us know in the registration form and we’ll see if we can arrange a couch to sleep on.

For whom?

For KVT members, alumni, volunteers and everyone interested in KVT activities. You are welcome to join us whether you have only just gotten to know us or have been active for a while – or even if it has been some time since you last saw us.

Where and when?

Saturday-Sunday September 30th-October 1st
Rauhanasema (Peace Station)
Veturitori 3
00520 Helsinki

Program (changes possible)

Saturday September 30th

Breakfast 9:30, 10:00 onwards the program starts

  • Evaluation of past year’s projects in small groups
  • Visit to the Ukraine aid center in Vallila
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer experiences from near and far – come join our activities!
  • Nonviolent Communication workshop

Starting from around 18.00 chilling and hanging out, possibility to watch a documentary, sauna, etc.

Sunday October 1st

around 11.00-14.00  

  • nature trip in Viikki and picnic (possibly birdwatching, at least partly potluck lunch, time to be confirmed)

around 14.00-16.00 

  • hanging out and making button pins at the Peace Station

Sign up

Sign up to the Volunteer weekend at the latest on September 25th 2023 through this form. 

Tell us whether you’ll join us for one or two days and if you need a place to sleep in. It’s possible to being donations to the Ukraine aid center – we’ll let you know what might be needed later.

See you soon!


KVT’s annual Spring meeting on Tue 18th April at Peace Station

Toiminnanjohtaja on 25.2.2023

Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö ry will have the annual Spring meeting on Tuesday 18th of April at 5:30pm at Peace Station (Veturitori 3) in Helsinki.

The Spring meeting will cover issues according to our rules, such as annual report and financial statement of 2022. 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.

KVT’s summer: workcamps still open for applications!

Järjestökoordinaattori on 7.1.2023

picture with a backpack and red rubber boots on a road, blue sky

With the picture above, we wish everyone a wonderful summer! The picture was taken by our camp leader Jonna on a way to the Tuusula camp in June.

Summer is a busy time for KVT but some of our activities are on a break during the summer holidays. However, it is still possible to join work camps this summer so do stay in touch or make an appointment. Here you can find all the available camps: https://workcamps.sci.ngo/icamps/