Hellenic Consumer Association (HCA) of Florina

Hellenic Consumer Association (HCA) of Florina is a non-profit and voluntary organization founded in 2001. HCA is governed by a seven member Board of Directors elected by the General Assembly and constitutes a member of the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Consumer Associations and member of the National Register of Consumer Unions. The aim of the HCA is to protect the interests of consumers and to register the following rights: the right to effective protection of their health and safety alongside the protection of their financial interests, the right to additional education, the right for protection of the environment, the right for protection of people with visual, hearing, mobility, adaptation problems. The achievement of the aforementioned aims is pursued by the association: With public lectures, seminars, artistic and cultural events, through the evolvement of protection, and collective defense mechanisms regarding the consumers and the environment, by establishing committees of working groups for individual areas and the creation of research and scientific centers while cooperating with other consumer organizations and other cultural, environmental and general interest organizations. HCA has high experience on cultural and youth work activities for 20 years. Our collaboration with the local, regional, national and international organizations and public bodies has resulted the implementation of several workshops, seminars and events focused on the importance of ICT tools in our life, the safety surfing on INTERNET and the use of ICT and innovative other tools in public schools and non profitable organizations, the key competences needed in the labor market and several other youth related topics. The Human Resources involved in the project have high experience creating an NGO with all skills and competences needed for implementing quality projects. Our volunteers are experienced in European Projects, as well as in other topics as voluntarism, human rights, conflict management, intercultural dialogue and project management. For the HCA the Volunteering Projects are a unique opportunity for living, acting and working in a foreign country where the volunteer has the opportunity to learn about its culture and social structure, to increase cultural awareness,to develop several important competences broadening personal and professional horizons. The volunteer is provided with safe and decent living and working conditions and receives personal support from the mentor and the youth worker of the organization. HCA's main goal is to ensure that the volunteers will be able to acquire the following competences during their voluntary project: To learn the use of Greek language, cultures and other countries' cultures To develop their skills in social integration, independent life and teamwork To share responsibility for living together with a multi-national team of volunteers To learn new working methods and how to manage various events and activities To gain volunteer's sense of self-worth, understanding of volunteer's contribution to society To gain abilities in the fields of active listening, communication, intercultural learning and active citizenship Some of the responsibilities of the volunteers will be: Designing, Preparation and Realisation of Events: the volunteer will support the project leaders in compiling an action plan for the events (cultural events, educational activities, meetings) in drawing up a budget for the event, in collecting materials for the event (conference: guidelines, background briefs, agenda, etc), in arranging the different tasks of the action plan, in supporting the participants of the events, in compiling the conclusions and in drawing up a follow up. Workshops and other educational activities: The volunteer will help to organize a series of workshops to stimulate the young people's interest in the fine arts, new technologies, to create awareness about important issues such as the environment, gender, human