Host: Junta de Freguesia de Carnide
Coordinator: Associação Spin
Activity start date: 14th April 2026
Activity end date:  14th October 2026
Activity duration: 6 months
Vacancies: 1 (for residents in EU)
Application deadline: March 16th, 2026
Application consists of: CV and project-specific motivation letter
Application sent to: esc.jfc.senior@a-spin.pt

The hosting institution, Junta de Freguesia de Carnide, is the local administrative unit of the Carnide area in Lisbon. In this organization, the volunteer is going to work in the Senior Academy (a type of a Third Age University).

The volunteer’s tasks will be to:

• Cooperate with Senior Academy’s volunteers and Coordinators
• Support the cultural and recreational activities promoted in the Academy, such as language and dance classes
• Promote and implement cultural and recreational workshops for the seniors (ex: language teaching workshop, dance, handicrafts..)
• Participate and support the Organization of Senior’s Arraial (Popular party)
• Support to organization and implementation of cultural visits
• Participate in Elder’s summer colonies

“Junta de Freguesia de Carnide” intends to support the volunteers to create their own events or initiatives, in accordance with their principles and upon Board’s approval. To get a general idea of the CES at Junta de Freguesia de Carnide, watch a four-part documentary made about the previous volunteers (it is in Portuguese): part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.

Conditions:
Volunteers are expected to spend 30-35 hours a week working. Their timetable will include space for work at the Academy, language lessons, days off, social activities and development of their own project ideas, etc.

Volunteer profile:
We are looking for young motivated volunteers aged 18-30, open minded, eager to learn about new cultures and lifestyles, as well as to participate in the project activities in the local community. It is not required to have any particular degree of formal education, but to have a positive and proactive attitude, show tolerance, flexibility, motivation and enthusiasm.
We encourage applications especially from youngsters who already have some experience in volunteering or in working with the elderly and are, at this moment, available to commit to a long term experience of volunteer work abroad and willing to know more about the work developed with and for the seniors of a special Lisbon community of Carnide. Priority is given to candidates with fewer opportunities (please consult the sending organization whether this status applies in your situation).
Knowledge of any level of the Portuguese language is a plus.

LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL INFO:

• Travel cost – The two-way travel (from place of residence to Lisbon and back) will be reimbursed up to the limit given by the distance band of the place of residence, according with ESC rules;
• Accommodation – Supporting & hosting organization, Associação Spin, will provide the lodging in a flat as close to the office and the city center as possible. If the apartment is located in the city center, the volunteers will spend around 45 minutes to reach the office by bus and subway. The volunteers will have to share the room with another volunteer/student/young person (room and connected expenses are paid by Associação Spin). They may also – if so wished by the volunteer – receive a monthly accommodation allowance and be solely responsible for finding and paying for their own accommodation.
• Food & transportation – A monthly allowance of 210€ will be provided by Associação Spin to cover food expenses and local public transportation.
• Pocket money – Every month the volunteer will receive 180€ as pocket money.
• Working hours – The volunteers are expected to spend 30-35 hours a week working. The daily timetable includes time for language learning, lunch, social activities and development of own project ideas, etc.
• Days off – Volunteers are entitled to two days off per week (which sometimes may not be Saturday or Sunday) as well as 2 extra days of vacation for every month of their voluntary work.

Final remarks (please read carefully):

• this is an open call with no assigned sending/supporting organization (we will partner up with the sending organization of the selected volunteer);
• as this volunteer placement involves direct work with children, the selected volunteers will have to provide us with their criminal record certificates;
• only candidates residing in EU or EFTA countries may apply may apply;
• please make sure you are registered with the European Solidarity Corps;
• we only accept complete applications that contain all the required documents;
• due to the high number of candidates, we are only able to contact the short-listed candidates (in order to invite them for a brief Skype interview);
• all the other candidates will be informed about the selection results by April 2nd through our website.

Hosting Organization: Junta de Freguesia do Lumiar
Coordinating Organization: Associação Spin
Activity start date: 1st October 2024
Activity end date: 31st August, 2025
Activity duration: 11 months
Vacancies: 1 (for residents in EU or EFTA)
Application deadline: July 15th, 2024
Application consists of:  filling this Google form+ CV and project-specific motivation letter + presentation of a project (more information below)
Application sent to: esc.jfl@a-spin.pt

The hosting institution, Junta de Freguesia de Lumiar, is the local council of the Lumiar area in Lisbon. In this institution, the volunteers are going to cooperate with the Education Department, namely they are going to work at a local school recreation center on Quinta dos Frades school and at a local school recreation center on São Vicente school.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

• Collaborate with the Education/Educators’ Coordinating team
• Facilitate and promote activities with children and school community
• Program and implement new projects in the area of education together with the Coordinating team and Educators
• Prepare materials, tools for activities with children, both indoors and outdoors
• Support in after-school activities for children and youngsters
• Support children and youngsters in doing homework
• Contribute to teaching songs, dances and games with children and youngsters
• Support the educators during summer day camp activities with children and youngsters

JF Lumiar intends to support the volunteers in creating their own events or initiatives, in accordance with their principles and upon Board’s approval.

LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL INFO:

• Travel cost – The two-way travel (from place of residence to Lisbon and back) will be reimbursed up to the limit given by the distance band of the place of residence, according with ESC rules;
• Accommodation – Coordinating & hosting organization, Associação Spin, will provide the lodging in a flat as close to the office and the city center as possible. If the apartment is located in the city center, the volunteers will spend around 35 minutes to reach the work place. The volunteers will have to share the room with another volunteer/student/young person (room and connected expenses are paid by Associação Spin). They may also – if so wished by the volunteer – receive a monthly accommodation allowance and be solely responsible for finding and paying for their own accommodation.
• Food & transportation – A monthly allowance of 210€ will be provided by Associação Spin to cover food expenses and local public transportation.
• Pocket money – Every month the volunteer will receive 180€ as pocket money.
• Working hours – The volunteers are expected to spend 30-35 hours a week working. The daily timetable includes time for language learning, lunch, social activities and development of own project ideas, etc.
• Days off – Volunteers are entitled to two days off per week (usually on Saturday and Sunday) as well as 2 extra days of vacation for every month of their voluntary work.

VOLUNTEERS’ PROFILE: WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for young motivated volunteers aged 18-30, open minded, eager to learn about new cultures and lifestyles, as well as to participate in the project activities in the local community. It is not requiredto have any particular degree of formal education, but to have positive and proactive attitude, show tolerance, flexibility, motivation and enthusiasm. In this project, patience and the capacity to work in a team will be highlyappreciated. We encourage applications especially from youngsters who already have some experience in volunteering or in working with children and youngsters and are, at this moment, available to commit to a long term experience of volunteer work abroad. We will give some priority to candidates who have at least a basic level of Portuguese, however it’s not a requirement for the application.

All candidates must be registered with the European Solidarity Corps.

SELECTION PROCESS:

In order to be considered for the vacancies, each candidate has to fill this Google form and send (in only 1 single e-mail):

1. up-to-date CV
2. project-specific Motivation Letter
3. presentation about an idea/project you would like to implement with the children

The complete applications (CV + project-specific Motivation Letter+presentation) should be sent to esc.jfl@a-spin.pt no later than July 15th, 2024

Final remarks (please read carefully):

• this project has already received funding from the ESC Program;
• this is an open call with no assigned sending/supporting organization (we will partner up with the sending organization of the selected volunteer);
• as this volunteer placement involves direct work with children, the selected volunteers will have to provide us with their criminal record certificates;
• only residents in EU or EFTA countries may apply;
• please make sure you are registered with the European Solidarity Corps;
• we only accept complete applications that contain all the required documents;
• due to the high number of candidates, we are only able to contact the short-listed candidates (in order to invite them for a brief Skype interview);
• all the other candidates will be informed about the selection results by August 15th through our website.

GOOD LUCK!

All Spin Association’s projects aim to contribute to the dissemination and implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, unanimously approved by 193 UN Member States in 2015.