EVS in GREECE

Aug 08, Issue 1

Web: www.evsactually.gr
E-mail: info@evsactually.gr
Athens, Greece

Our first newsletter...

By Kostas Spatiotis
SO WHAT'S IN HERE?
Welcome to our first newsletter!
page article
EVS ACTUALLY is a youth initiative project that has prepared a printed and
1 Our first newsletter… on-line guide for EVS volunteers that have been, are or will be in Greece.
1 Who are we anyway? Our newsletter effort derives from the idea of offering another tool to EVS
in Greece where EVS volunteers can be informed and networked through
2 EVS explained… explanatory, broken down, information about Youth in Action, EVS, Greece,
-VISA/Residence Permission- Greek and Greeks!
Needless to say, that we are impatiently looking forward to your
2 Not to miss
contribution, comments, stories, opinions, articles and of course feedback.
-Cycladic Islands- We hope this newsletter really finds you enjoying the hot Greek summer in
3 Interview your own little paradise beach!

-Helene from France- Greetings to all!

4 Learning about Greece…

-the periptero-
4 Something different…
-streetpanthers-
Who are we anyway?
By Kostas Spatiotis

Initially, we were an informal group of five young people that, one way or
the other, were interested in realising this project. Some of us active in EVS
as youth workers, others ex-EVS volunteers, others interested more into the
This newsletter is made…
practical and technical issues of the evs actually guide.
…by EVS for EVS…
This group is now becoming bigger and bigger every time!
…by you for you!
Kostas, Maria, Maria, Spiros and Valantis are now joined by Aleksandra,
Isabel, Apostolis, Eleftheria, Sophie and we are waiting for our team to
become bigger… meaning we are waiting for you!
 -2-
Page 2
VISAS are usually valid for 3
months, so either you have to
take the risk to go back home to
issue a new one or you go for
the local residence permit
. Milos
Serifos
Mikonos
EVS in GREECE
EVS explained...
By Aleksandra Georgievska
I am Aleksandra from Skopje, and I do EVS in Greece. My stories? Lots!! But
this is only to give you some friendly advice in case you are not from the EU
and you need a VISA. Yes, you are here for 6 months and a 3 months VISA is
not enough! So, I will also tell you about the residence permission.
What you need for the VISA: The EVS contract and a letter from your host
organization stating that the whole costs are going to be covered by the
Youth in Action Programme Action 2 (with reference to your host National
Agency; Doctor proof (English translation) for your physical and mental
health; Document from the court that until now you never broke the law;
Visa application… 2 photos… cash to pay visa costs and travel insurance.
But VISAS are usually valid for 3 months, so either you have to take the risk
to go back home to issue a new one or you go for the residence permit (this
process can take 2-6 months and during this time you cannot leave Greece).
Getting in the host country, go straight to the local community periphery
for applying for residence permission. All documents should be translated to
the host country language and they are:-Application form with: two copies
of your visa and passport; 3 photos; Insurance documents (AXA papers
translated officially to Greek);Contract from the National Agency for your
EVS project; letter from your host organization stating what, how and for
how long you are there.
Good luck!
Not to miss...
By Kostas Spatiotis
Summer has come and many of you will be planning (unless you are already
there) your holidays. We have a recommendation for you! Island hoping on
the Cycladic islands! Very close to each other, most of them considerably
close to Piraeus, organized campings and more than anything…each one of
them with its own beauty and magic! One common thing: the little white
houses of the Hora, and the crystal clear water!
What is it you are looking for? Wild parties at Ios and Mikonos? Volcanic
landscapes unique in the world in Santorini and Milos? The poetic inspiration
of Folegandros and Amorgos? The quietness and real Cycladic culture of
Serifos? Maybe something more cosmopolitan like Sifnos? Or you can get all
of the above in Naxos. On the other hand, the lovers of neoclassic could
spend a few days in the capital of Cyclades, Ermoupolis (Siros). Hippies
would be better of in Anafi! But then again… we are all better off in any of
those islands with good company and lots of sun protection cream!
One way or the other, the Cycladic islands is one of the places that you
should definitely visit. The experience is unique for party times or quieter
ones. These ‘dry rocks’ in the middle of the Aegean are of rare beauty and
they are a guarantee to give you moments that you will never forget!
Moments of magic!
So make your pick… or even better… picks!
 EVS in GREECE Page 3

Aleksandra interviews Helene...

By Aleksandra Georgievska

-Explain the meaning of EVS for you in 3 words:

Experience, meetings, travel.
-How did you find about EVS?
I learned about EVS from my father!
-Why this project and why Greece-Athens?
I choose Greece for the weather, the beach, the islands, the archaeology,
the food and the drinks! I wanted to make an EVS after my study and before
to find a work, a kind of break… And also to have an experience abroad to
learn a new language, meet people all around Europe, have new friends, to
have another life for almost one year. but useful, because it’s a very good
Helene is a volunteer from France,
way to learn new skills. doing her voluntary service in
-What are your activities during your EVS project: Fair Trade Hellas, Athens.

Actually, I changed project after four months. My first project was to

organize educational program and seminar about international cooperation.
My second project was about the Fair Trade with in one side to help in the
fair trade shop and in the other side to help to organize the educational
program.
-The best thing from your EVS:
The seminars because I met a lot of volunteers. First you share your
experience, you spend very good time and you build very good relationships
with them.
-How is your social relationship with the others EVS volunteers?
In Athens we are a lot of volunteers so from the beginning of my EVS I met
most of them and very quickly we became friend. With some of them I
travelled, we climbed the Kissavos and Olympus mountain, and every week
one volunteer cooked a meal from his country. I spend very very good time Aleksandra:
with time and I really consider them as close friends.
Explain the meaning of EVS
-Have you changed during your EVS? How? for you in 3 words:
I don’t know, maybe yes. I had to build everything by myself without my Helene:
family, my friends and to speak English, so I learnt to know me better!
-Experience
-If you had the chance to do EVS again, what would you choose? -Meetings
As I said I changed project, and I don’t regret nothing. -Travel
-What will you do after EVS?
I will have to find a work and I’m really interested in the European
programs. But I’m also thinking to try to do a Leonardo project. Let’s see!
-Last words?
I was very bad in my first project, and it was very hard to decide to change
project otherwise I would have returned in France. So I sent a mail to all the
volunteers that I know by asking them if they need volunteer in their
project. The day after I had a new project!!!!
 -4-

Page 4 EVS in GREECE

Learning about Greece... Something different...

By Isabel Maldonado Garcia You have probably already noticed that in Greece
driving and parking has its own rules! Well, this is
First day in Greece, I could not help noticing the little not exactly the truth. Not all Greeks are happy with
yellow houses all over the place. They looked like, how the disrespect of some drivers show, and they have
can I say it? Magic little supermarkets! Soon, I knew, taken the issue in their hands… they are the
they were periptero! streetpanthers!
The periptero, or kios,k is a whole Greek institution. They are friends who
They begun as a government sponsored employment started their action in
scheme for veterans of the Balkan Wars and World War Thessalonica in 2006 when
I; the concessions are very well guarded by the as they say “walking round
descendents or sold for tidy sums! You will usually find our cities had become a
them on squares and ‘strategic’ corners everywhere in living hell: no respect for
Greece. They stay open long hours and in a way help the pedestrians, sidewalks
feeling safe in after dark times. What can you find in and zebra crossings
there? Everything! Sweets, cigarettes, pens, occupied by cars, walking
newspapers, books, bus tickets, shaving needs, photo- is not allowed!"
films, drinks, munchies food and they are one of the Accordingly, they thought it was time for some
best places to top up your pay as you go mobile phone action! They have producing a number of stickers
card! and leaflets that with a humorous but very
Want more? realistic messages, they remind the drivers that
cars should be on the street and not where
I am happy to tell you then that year after year, their wheelchairs and guide dogs should be passing.
product line widens impressively! Maybe you can soon
buy a mentor there!!! The stickers and leaflets’ are available from their
website www.streetpanthers.gr and the
(from Rough Guide: Greece)
movement is taking over the big cities of Greece.
It is only a way to remind some of the drivers a
little bit about respect and also claim back what is
the people’s.

By Spiros Fragoulis

If you look closely and carefully…

right at the middle of the photo…yes!
you will see inside the periptero the ‘peripteras!!

This project has been funded with support from the

European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author,
EVS ACTUALLY and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any
use which may be made of the information contained
Web: www.evsactually.gr therein.
Email: info@evsactually.gr
Athens, Greece