Peace Project: Refugee Centre Emmen
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About the project
Peace Project: Refugee Centre Emmen
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Our partner is the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (in Dutch: COA). The COA provides accommodation during the asylum procedure and prepares asylum seekers for staying in the Netherlands, returning to their country of origin or transmigration. At the moment COA manages about 100 centres in the Netherlands. COA is an independent administrative body funded by the Dutch Ministry of Justice.
The COA works together with a partner named "De Vrolijkheid": the National Foundation for the Promotion of Happiness. The Happiness is a multicultural, not-for-profit network of artists, play writers, actors, musicians and volunteers who invest in children and teenagers in asylum-seeking centres. The Happiness organises creative activities on a regular basis in 30 asylum-seeking centres in the Netherlands.
💼 What the programme involves
The project takes place in the refugee centre in Emmen which is a location for families with children. The children you will be working with are between 4 and 12 years of age. These children participate in a school program, but during the months of July and August, there is the summer holiday break. The volunteers will then organise activities for and with the children. This type of work calls for creative people who can make up all sorts of games from scratch to play with the children: music, sports, arts, language sessions, creativity, etc. Therefore the content of this project is up to you and the other participants. The games are scheduled throughout the week.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay at a campsite. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and mattress. The centre will provide bikes for every volunteer to ride between the campsite and the Refugee Centre (including bike ride lessons).
🍲 Food
There are cooking facilities in a cooking tent and the group will cook for themselves. Volunteers will bring a packed lunch to the worksite.
📍 About the location
The location of the project is the Refugee Centre Emmen. Emmen is a city of about 100.000 inhabitants in the province of Drenthe in the northern part of the Netherlands. This refugee centre (in Dutch: «AZC Emmen») has a capacity for about 400 refugees. This particular place is a location for families with under age children whose application for asylum has been denied by the Dutch government. These families will in time return to their homeland.
🎒 Leisure activities
Of course there will be sufficient free time. Together with your camp leaders you will discuss the recreational program. Emmen is an attractive city with lots of activities in the summertime. You can visit places nearby and explore the surroundings. The area is declared a UNESCO-Geopark by the United Nations. Emmen is very well accessible by train and bus. Biggest attraction is the new theme park Wildlands Adventure Zoo (opened in 2016). Leisure time will also be spent on the general theme Connecting with the Sustainable Development Goals and means to foster peace.
⚠️ Requirements
A good level of English.
• Due to the nature of the work a Certificate of Conduct and a motivation letter are required
• Relevant training or professional experience is desirable
• At least an intermediate level in English. Understanding of any other language (e.g. French or Arabic) is greatly appreciated. Sleeping bag, tent and sleeping mat.
• Old working clothes and shoes
• Rain is spread out over the year, so bring warm clothes, a raincoat and a swimming suit
ℹ️ Additional information
Please note that it is not allowed to take pictures and/or make videos in the refugee centre.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
SIW-2101
05/08/2021 → 23/08/2021
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
25.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Emmen, Netherlands
Netherlands
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Central European Standard Time
Local time: 21:02 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken