ESC: Volunteering in a youth NGO

Acts as a platform where young people would have the opportunity and support to develop changes they want to see in the society and therefore, grow as citizens.
Noored Uhiskonna Heaks (NYH) is a non-governmental organization, which unites people of different age, social class, nation and interest who have the same goal: make the world of 21st century a bit better and friendlier to its inhabitants. We act as a platform where young people would have the opportunity and support to develop the changes they want to see in society and, therefore, grow as citizens.
NYH under the slogan "Good for society - good for us". Young people create a better World not just in the name of faceless "everybody", but in the name of their friends, colleagues and family, in the name of the future generations. Out target group is young people from 14 until 25 years old who are interested in self-development and participation and Youth Workers (no age restrictions) or Leaders who is interested to work directly with young people for the professional and personal development. Currently we have 75% of our active members as young people and 25% as youth workers.
Although NYH is based in Tallinn, currently with an open office in Telliskivi, our activities reach a national range level in Estonia. Our members develop activities in Tartumaa, Viljandimaa, Ida-Virumaa, Polvamaa, Parnumaa and also other counties, besides Harjumaa. This is possible because of our extensive network of partner organisations (social centers and youth centers) that develop activities in joint programmes. This geographic scope also helps us to reach different cities, town and villages in Estonia as our active members are living or/and studying in those areas.
The main activities can be divided into four big groups: education, democracy, ecology and culture. Youngsters believe that these aspects are not only closely connected with the majority of youth problems, but also provide a wide space for growth, innovational thinking and creativity, which can be accumulated firstly by youngsters. Members of NYH evaluate, not only organising projects and events, but also participating in local youth, student and school councils, because democracy and participation begins not with election but from sense of belonging and responsibility.
The main areas can be divided into four big groups:
• Education
• Democracy & Participation
• Diversity
• Culture
Working in the international Field the main purpose of the organization is finding opportunities for young Estonians to experience European (or extra-European) mobility, through the promotion of job offers, scholarships, internships, volunteering and intercultural exchanges. We belong to different international networks of cooperation, especially in the fields of Social Rights, Migration, Leadership and Intercultural Cooperation. We coordinate international volunteers around Estonia in different areas.
On the local level, we act as a platform of cooperation among many local NGO’s, Tallinn Youth Council, different student councils in our region, social centers and youth centers. Those activities intend to foster local participation for cultural integration and active citizenship in the diverse society of young people and students. The activities range in many areas where young people can interact in planning, implementing and evaluating their own different actions (from sports to parliament simulations and camps).