CONCORDIA SUD-EST

Concordia is a non-profit organization, founded in 1950 following the Second World War. An organization sparked by the desire to revive the values of tolerance and peace through work camps by youth French, German and English people. Today, Concordia still upholds the same values. We have over 60 years experience in international work camps, whether it's short term work camps or medium or long term volunteer projects. Concordia aims to: - Educate young people by allowing them to develop through cooperative learning. - Encourage young people to experience new cultures through international youth exchanges, whilst emphasizing the importance of peace, friendship and a mutual respect for others. - Encourage young people to get involved as part of a harmonious society, through actions of solidarity whilst developing tolerance for the environment around them. - Contribute to development, through educating young people on issues regarding the environment, patrimony, tourism and socially. Work camps are a perfect tool to reach these goals: Participating in a work camp means working voluntarily during three weeks at a project of a common utility, such as environment, archaeology, culture, heritage. It is a form of informal education, but also as an opportunity to discover a new region and its inhabitants. The participants get to know the real life of a small community, as well as the culture and customs of other volunteers, who come from all around the world. Every year Concordia gives the opportunity to more than 1000 French youths to get involved in its partner projects abroad and hosts around 1200 foreign volunteers on its own work camps in France. Concordia is a member of: - Three major international networks which support voluntary service: The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations which is a network of 30 national organizations in 20 countries, CCIVS (Co-coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service) which is an organization founded under the aegis of UNESCO in 1948 and coordinates about 300 organizations worldwide and finally The National Association COTRAVAUX (Co-ordination of French Voluntary Work organizations). The other activities of the association continue throughout the year with weekend or short holiday work camps, mid and long term voluntary service, integration of people with difficulties, study and activity groups (North-South, International), sending and hosting volunteers of European Voluntary Service. Concordia also organizes various trainings throughout the year. Those who wish to be even more involved in Concordia’s activities can be elected at the management committee; Concordia is a democratic organization, led by dynamic and motivated volunteers as well as young people, and supported by paid staff. The Paris head office supports the seven regional offices activities i-e the Alps, Auvergne, Aquitaine, Normandy, Picardy, South-Southwest, and Ile-de-France.