Build solidarity in the world? Gain experiences that carry through life? Learn new skills for the future? All these are a part of international voluntary work!
All volunteers planning to apply to voluntary workcamps in the Global South or long-term volunteering projects of 1-12 months are expected to participate in KVT’s training. Anyone who is planning to do a volunteering project during the year 2026 is welcome to sign up, you don’t need to know the exact project yet. The next training will take place on Saturday 7th February 2026 from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
The training will be in Helsinki (the exact location will be announced later). The training day consists of getting to know KVT, learning about different aspects of volunteering abroad, practical arrangements, responsibility and the purpose of volunteering. You will also meet other people who are in the process of preparing for their volunteer experience. All participants are expected to actively take part in the activities and discussions during the day. The trainers will be experienced KVT volunteers, who have themselves also volunteered in different parts of the world.
We will offer breakfast and lunch during the training for a small participation fee.
Before the training day you will first go through an online module. This can be done at everyone’s own pace and it will take approximately 2 hours in total. Bear this in mind when planning your schedules! More information will be sent to you with invitation to the training day.
Sign up to the training by Wednesday 4th February by sending email to . In the email tell us where and how long you are hoping to go in your volunteer project. More detailed info and info for the online module will be send to everyone two weeks before the training. All participants must have their KVT membership paid by the day of the training.
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!
Why have you chosen to be KVT’s member? What has joining our activities given to you, how could we continue to improve the way we work, and how could you gain even more of your KVT membership? Share us your thoughts!
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.
Would you like to enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable experience of managing a small association? KVT is looking for a new chair person for 2026!
What?
Chair of KVT’s board is a voluntary position in which you will coordinate the work of the board, chair board meetings and collaborate closely with the office staff for example in preparing topics for the board’s meeting agenda. More information on tasks of the board can be found here. You won’t be carrying all the chair responsibilities alone but will share tasks with one or two vice chairs depending on each of your interests. You will also get briefing and support from the previous chair.
Why would I want to become the chair?
You will get valuable experience of administration of a small association and volunteer coordination. Working together with a great crew of volunteers, you will get to enhance your leadership, collaboration and practical facilitation skills. If you already have ideas of how you would like to see KVT develop in the near future, as a chair you will be in a great position to advance those goals (and if you don’t, no worries – general motivation to be the chair is equally important)! You will also have a great opportunity to get to know KVT’s partners and networks, both in the SCI’s international network and the Finnish NGO sector.
What are the requirements?
We hope for the new chair to already be at least somewhat familiar with KVT’s activities and have previous experience as a board member of a non-profit association. Knowledge of written Finnish is an asset (although does not need to be native-speaker level), as the position involves dealing with official documents written in Finnish. To enjoy the tasks coming up with the position, it is also helpful to like working with people and doing things together, building group spirit and motivation among other volunteers, and at least tolerate administrative tasks.
Does being the chair mean that I need to be always available?
No. The chair, too, is a volunteer who is carrying out their tasks according to their own capacity and other commitments in life. It is possible and even recommended to share responsibilities with the vice chairs and to delegate tasks to other board members. However, it is good to have time for the board meetings (although you don’t need to be able to attend every single one of them) and for coordinating the board’s main responsibilities, such as preparation of the annual report and plan of action. We hope you are ready to commit to the position for a full year, but acknowledge that sometimes life happens and that’s totally ok.
I might be interested, how can I apply and where can I get more information?
Message the current chair Hanna () and ask for more details! Applications for the position can be sent to the same email at the latest by Monday, November 24th. In your application, please tell briefly
who you are,
why you are interested in the chair position, and
what kind of previous experience you have with KVT and/or other associations.
(optional:) If you have a particular aspect of KV’s work in mind that you would like the board to focus on improving next year, you can also share that.
The new chair will be elected in KVT’s fall annual meeting on November 27th along with the other board members. The meeting will be organized at Rauhanasema, Helsinki on Thursday, November 27th at 5:30pm. Online participation is also possible.
Are you interested in association activities and gaining a deeper understanding of how to manage a small organization? Would you like a front-row seat to make an impact on what happens in KVT? Apply to join the board for 2026!
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 of governance of an association and have the opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work in a great team. As a board member, you can 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 when needed.
You are welcome to join Johtis with any level of experience with association work; there are roles for both beginners and veterans. Board members share tasks based on their interests: you don’t need to know everything beforehand, and you will not be working on things alone. The most important things are enthusiasm for influencing KVT’s activities, active participation in the board’s work, and sharing KVT’s values.
Board members and chair person will be elected in KVT’s fall annual meeting on Thursday, November 27, starting at 5:30pm at Rauhanasema. It is also possible to join the meeting online.
What kinds of positions are available?
We are looking for people for the following roles in KVT’s 2026 board:
Chair person (see a separate call for applications)
7 other actual members, amongst whom 1-2 vice chair will be nominated
1-4 vice members
Vice members participate in the activities of the board like actual members, apart from that they cannot act as a chair or vice chair and can only vote when an actual member is absent. The board will select the vice chair(s) in its first meeting of the year.
What does the board do and what can I do in the board?
The board plans, implements and evaluates KVT’s annual activities together with the office staff and working groups. The main responsibilities of the board are creating and following KVT’s annual plan of action, representing KVT as an employer, following up on the association’s finances, and making important decisions concerning KVT’s activities and future plans (including updates on the annual budget, approving proposed voluntary workcamps for the coming camp season, recruiting new employees, applying for project grants or joining international projects..).
In addition, activities of the board depend on the interests of its individual members. As a board member, you can decide yourself what kind of tasks or topic you would like to focus on. Here are some examples:
Secretary tasks in board meetings, participating in writing of annual report, plan of action or grant applications
Organizing events (e.g., the annual volunteer weekend) and recreational activities
Following up on finances
HR-related tasks, such as acting as a contact person for the office staff, annual development discussions, recruitment processes
Fundraising
International relations: e.g., joining SCI’s international seminars or working groups
Communications tasks, such as writing membership letters, creating content for social media, or visiting events, educational institutions, or youth work organizations to tell about KVT
Monitoring climate impact of KVT’s activities and developing environmentally friendly practices
Equity and accessibility issues, such as multilingual and accessible communication, improving inclusivity of KVT’s activities for volunteers from diverse backgrounds and in different life situations
Perspectives of young volunteers on developing KVT’s activities
How can I apply?
If you are interested or would like to know more, please be in touch! To apply, you can send a short introduction of yourself to KVT’s current chair Hanna () at the latest by Monday, November 24th. In the introduction you can share:
who you are
how well you know KVT beforehand
why you would like to join the board, and
what kind of tasks or topics you would find especially interesting.
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.
A video competition for young volunteers (18 to 29 years of age) currently living in Finland.(*) The winner gets a gift card that covers KVT’s coordination fee for attending a voluntary workcamp.
How to participate:
Send us a short video (30 s. to 2 mins) through this form by May 31st to tell us why you would like to attend an international voluntary workcamp. There is no standard format for the video – creativity is an advantage! Just make sure the picture and voice on the video is clear.
Why to participate?
A voluntary workcamp is an amazing opportunity to get to know a new place and people while giving your contribution to a local community project in an international group of volunteers. By bringing people from different backgrounds to work together for a common goal, workcamps contribute to building peace and intercultural understanding. During the camp you get to learn about different cultures, gain valuable experience of working in an international group, and of course make new friends from different parts of the world! Learning about a local non-profit project can also give you inspiration and ideas for how to make an impact in your own community.
Where can I go for camp? What kind of workcamps there are?
The gift card covers a coordination fee for a camp in Finland, elsewhere in Europe, or in the U.S., Australia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Turkey. Workcamps usually last from one to three weeks. Camps have different themes, and the type of work done at different camps varies from environment protection to manual renovation work, organizing community events, or work with children or marginalized groups. You can find a full list of camp themes and browse upcoming workcamps in our international network in this database.
What happens if I win?
You can use your gift card for a coordination fee of a workcamp in any of the countries listed above during 2025 or 2026. You can apply for a camp of your choice in the database. You can apply for many camps at the same time, but the gift card only covers the participation fee for one camp. Please note that we cannot guarantee you a place at a specific camp as the participants for the camps are selected by our partner organizations in the receiving countries . You can find more information on the application process here.
Conditions:
The gift card only covers the camp coordination fee for the camp charged by KVT (120€). You will still be responsible for your travel costs to the camp location, possible visa costs and any extra fees possibly charged by the receiving organization abroad (most camps in Europe don’t have these). All volunteers attending workcamps through KVT are required to join as KVT’s members. You cannot exchange the gift card for money.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to be in touch:
(*) KVT’s board and working group members excluded from attending
