📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The main aim of Windmill Tree Foundation is to support and promote holistic and sustainable development.
By "holistic" we mean physical, mental, social human development.
By "sustainable" we understand the re-integration of society with nature, art, economics.
Our target groups : young people, children, middle-aged and elderly people.
We pay special attention to young people with fewer opportunities. We mainly focus on geographical (coming from rural areas, disadvantaged regions), economic (coming from dysfunctional families) and those related to disability (we have experience with motor, visual and mild mental disabilities (like autism, Down syndrome) obstacles
Actually, inclusion is kind of the "background music" of all our activities. We strongly believe that true, holistic and sustainable development of society is only possible if all its members are actively involved in this process. The idea behind all our activities is that they are accessible to everyone.
Our geographical coverage on a national scale is the entire region of the Izera Mountains. The Foundation is registered in the town of Leśna, where we run the Day Care Centre and co-found the Community Centre.
On an international level - the Foundation works mainly with the Erasmus + program. We are planning to expand our activities with the European Solidarity Corps, Visegrad Fund and Norwegian Funds.
Spheres of activities : those "fields" that we believe most support sustainable and holistic development: arts and culture, sports/outdoor activities, mixed-ability activities, social entrepreneurship.
Our main objectives:
- supporting, promoting and implementing non-formal and informal education;
- improving the quality of youth work, social work - by introducing creative, innovative approaches, exchange of experiences and good practices;
- Promoting sustainable development on all levels - local, national, international;
- Activating young people from rural areas;
- Supporting and promoting cooperation between societies of EU, Eastern Partnership and other countries
- Promoting and organizing intercultural, inter-religious and inter-generational exchange;
- Support, promote and implementation of mixed-ability activities;
Our Foundation, although young, has among its members experienced people.
As freelancers, trainers, project coordinators and local activists we live and work in the Izery mountains region for more than 7 years - and since 2019 under the umbrella of Windmill Tree Foundation. We are international team, which brings together people from Poland as well as activists from Belarus, Germany, Ukraine, who have moved to Poland
and are currently living and working in the region of Jizera Mountains.
💼 What the programme involves
The Social Elementary School in Sobieszów (a district of Jelenia Góra, Poland) is a small non-public school run by the Social Educational Society. We conduct teaching, educational, and care activities for children aged 4–15. Our school has around 100 students divided into 8 classes, with small class sizes that allow us to support each child in their individual development.
Our educational approach is relationship-based. Students are curious about the world, eager to learn new languages, and open to engaging in activities. They study English and German from the first grade, and can also participate in extracurricular classes such as art, robotics, photography, and nature circles. We regularly organize educational projects, school trips, outings, and an annual “green school.” The school building includes a gym, art room, sports field, and playground. Our location at the foot of Chojnik Mountain, near the Karkonosze National Park, provides unique opportunities for outdoor education.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will live in shared apartments with other volunteers in Jelenia Góra. Each apartment is fully equipped, with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Volunteers will receive:
Pocket money and a food allowance (according to ESC standards). 6 EUR / day + 5 EUR /day FA
Full coverage of accommodation costs.
Local transport arrangements, including public transport tickets, as needed for commuting between accommodation and school.
🎒 Leisure activities
On-arrival and mid-term training sessions organized by the Polish National Agency.
Support and mentorship from a designated school tutor and project coordinator.
Language support in Polish to facilitate daily communication.
Training in non-formal education methods, intercultural learning, and project management, adapted to the volunteer’s interests and tasks.
Opportunities to develop soft skills (teamwork, communication, creativity) as well as practical experience in event organization, teaching support, and social media management.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: Plese send your sample activity with the calss 7 y.o. to e-mail.
We are looking for motivated and open-minded volunteers who enjoy working with children and are willing to engage in school life and the local community.
Ideal candidates should:
Be responsible, flexible, and creative.
Have a positive attitude towards intercultural learning and inclusion.
Be willing to share their own culture, language, and passions with children.
Enjoy teamwork but also be capable of taking initiative.
Have an interest in education, child development, or community projects (previous experience is welcome but not required).
This opportunity is open to all young people, including those with fewer opportunities, who are ready to take on a new experience, learn, and contribute to the vibrant school community.
Examples of volunteer tasks:
Assisting with school events (festivals, competitions, sports days, cultural days such as the “Day of Nations and Languages”).
Supporting the school library.
Helping in classrooms (reading to children, supporting homework, leading games and activities).
Organizing charity actions.
Supporting ecological initiatives (school clean-up, tree planting).
Assisting in after-school care (games, art, outdoor activities).
Running the English-language version of the school’s social media.
Developing international cooperation through Erasmus+ partnerships.
The European added value of this opportunity lies in sharing experiences and perspectives, where both volunteers and the local school community learn from one another.
Deadline: 12/10/2025 21:06
ℹ️ Additional information
The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (
https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?
- Training before and after the project
- Health insurance during your project
- round-trip travel reimbursement
- accommodation and food
- pocket money
- language course
- Return Week-end
- Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport
Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (
https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.