ESC: Axolotl Renaissance

Hnutí Brontosaurus (The Brontosaurus movement) is a Czech non-governmental organisation with more then 45 years of history. Our mission is to promote environmental friendly, sustainable life and volunteering for nature and cultural heritage. We belive in environmental responsibility and active citizenship as a clue for our future.
The organisation is based on voluntary work of young people – both organisers/supporters and participants of the activities. There are 45 regional branches and 1300 active members of the organisation all around the country. We run voluntary and leisure time activities in app. 100 localities/sites.
The offer of Hnutí Brontosaurus:
- one-day, weekend or longer voluntary activities for youth with working and non-formal education programme
- environmental education programmes for high-school students and public
- public events - presentations, workshops, info-points releated with sustainability, nature and cultural heritage, volunteering and active citizenship
- kids "research" clubs
- education of youth workers and teachers in environmental topics and non-formal education methodology

The headquarters of Hnuti Brontosaurus is settled in Brno, the second largest city in the country, the city of students, culture and wonderfull surroundings. Brno is an old city with interresting cultural monuments and full of cultural life (theatre, concerts, events). Just a few minutes away, there are deep forrests, large caves, rocky hills and strams for all the nature lovers. Just a couple hours away, there´s Prague, Vienna and Budapest, real European metropolis.

The mission of the headquarters is to support direct work with young people in regions. There´s a team of coordinators, methodologists and supporters as well as volunteers working in the office on the daily basis. We provide financial, material and methodological support as well as common PR and marketing. There´s an international team of app. 15 people in the office. The office si quite large joined with the common space of the Voluntary center of the organisation.
The ESC projects participants run the activities in the headquarters´ office, but also co-work with the volunteers/organisers in different regions of the country as well. So it´s a good chance to recognize the whole country as well as different approach and working methods. The tasks of ESC volunteers as well as trainees and employees are various in terms of content and location and may adapt according to the participant´s preference.