As part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC – replacing the European Voluntary Service), the World Esperanto Youth Organisation (TEJO) invites you to become a full-time volunteer in our Central Office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

ESC is open to young candidates between 18 and 30 years old who have residence permits in the countries listed at the end. The volunteering lasts ideally 12 months, making it possible for more volunteers to have their volunteering experience with us and ideally from September or October. As a volunteer you will learn to work independently and will improve your skills, thanks to the tasks mentioned below.

This year, it is possible to apply for a project lasting only 3 months. Although we prefer candidates for 12 months, if you are interested please contact us about it.

The application deadline is 30 June 2024.

More details about the program

TEJO is looking for 3 volunteers for the period from July 1, 2024 to January 31, 2026, with possible start dates preferably from September or October.

Being a volunteer doesn’t only mean contributing to the well-being of the organisation, but is also a chance for your own professional and personal development. The volunteer will work at the heart of the Esperanto movement – the Central Office of the World Esperanto Association (UEA) and TEJO –, helping with many interesting projects (e.g. organization of events, information activities, campaigns or development of online projects), having the chance to represent TEJO at various events and collaborating in a global environment on the organisation’s specific fields of activity.

We expect support for the following tasks (the tasks will be assigned according to the volunteers’ personal interests, experiences and skills. The volunteers will be accompanied to learn how to complete the tasks):

• daily administrative tasks of the organization;
• attendance and minutes-taking during Board meetings, Committee meetings and help with the planning of TEJO’s organizational strategy;
• dealing with paper and online mail, and maintenance of the archives;
• information sessions about the activities of TEJO during Esperanto and non-Esperanto congresses and seminars (presentation of the organisation, booth presence, etc.);
• representing TEJO at international events and conferences: participation in events of the European Youth Forum, UNITED conferences, UNOY forums (United Network of Young Peacebuilders) or United Nations, etc.
• participation in various and multilingual trainings, online and in person, according to your interests;
• active collaboration in updating TEJO’s websites and social network pages, including the creation of new content and translation into your native language;
• active support of the activities of TEJO’s board and working groups, in the departments you like the most;
• help with the organization of international and local Esperanto events, for example the International Youth Congress (IJK);
• contribution to writing grant applications for Erasmus+ and Council of Europe  and co-management of these projects;
• packing and shipping of the Kontakto magazine.

The ideal candidate

• speaks Esperanto, or shows an interest in learning the language before or immediately after the start of the project*;
• likes administrative / computer work (basic knowledge of e-mails, Internet, word processing, presentation softwares, etc.);
• is independent in managing their own work and making decisions;
• is able to work in a team and express oneself appropriately in groups;
• is ready to collaborate with the board members on the general management of the organisation;
• has good knowledge of European youth structures and institutions;
• has never taken part in an ESC-project before.

* Because our working language is Esperanto, we will provide the volunteer with language courses with teacher(s) before the start and during the first months of volunteering, if the selected volunteer does not speak Esperanto well enough.

These are the qualities of our ideal candidate and we’re aware that not everyone can fulfill them. In the time frame between the selection of the candidate and the start of the volunteering, there will be enough time to train oneself. So don’t hesitate to apply!

Ideally you will volunteer for up to 12 months. The start date is subject to agreement (possible from July 1, 2024). You will receive pocket money every month, free accommodation and your travel expenses to get to Rotterdam and to return home will be reimbursed. The project usually also covers the costs to participate in various Esperanto events.

How to apply

Please send your application to info@tejo.org with the following documents:

• a resume (describing your formal and non-formal education, experiences with the Esperanto community and other experiences of activism, and so on);
• a cover letter (describing why you want to volunteer for TEJO).

The application period is open until June 30. It is important to know that we will process the applications and organize the interviews based on the order in which we receive the applications. We will consider applications submitted during the application period until suitable candidates are found, so submit yours as soon as possible!

For further questions about the program, the tasks, pocket money, accomodation… feel free to contact info@tejo.org.

Notice: At this time, the TEJO-volunteer has to work in the Central Office in Rotterdam. Citizens of the EU/EEA can work and live in the Netherlands without any problem, but citizens of many countries still need a work permit and visa. Because the Netherlands doesn’t offer volunteering visas, unlike other countries, TEJO can only accept volunteers if they have the nationality of or a residence permit* in a Schengen Area country.

Must have residence permits in:

• Country of the European Union;
• North Macedonia and Turkey;
• Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway;
• Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia;
• Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine;
• Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia,
• Russian Federation.