Our workcamp leaders are mostly young people who have been on a workcamp and now take the initiative to organise one themselves, usually in partnership with someone else.

The workcamp leaders organise the preparation with the group, fundraising and other arrangements. Then comes the work at the project, with the local building or other foremen, purchase of materials and bookkeeping. Other activities undertaken during the project are coordinated with them. (eg. Educational and artistic work, workshops etc.)

They take care of the social process within the group and the relationships with local participants as well as to the neighbours and surrounding community.

Motivation

Work camp leaders want to become engaged in a social task on a more responsible level.

Some approach us with a project they wish to undertake, needing very little support other than our non-profit status, our avenues of publicity and the institutional support which provides an insurance and an organisation under whose auspices the participants can travel.

Others decide during a work camp or other event that they wish to organise one of their own.

Still others are asked by us if they wish to take on this task for a specific project.

They do so because they wish to assist the project, or for their own personal growth, or because they have had a deep experience themselves and now wish to make this available to others.

In each case, Idem is there to assist and support the person to the extent that they require support and ask for it. We take into account neither age, nor experience, qualification nor any other criteria beyond the perceived suitability of the person concerned.

Tasks

Preparatory Meetings:

The preparatory meetings bring the group together through dynamic and fun group processes. Discussion on cultural and social questions that will be faced, organisational aspects such as flights, accommodation and cooking for everyone, talking about security, health and a few basic rules.

Fundraising

This needs to be coordinated with the group, but also with the Idem office so as to ensure that we keep a good overview of what organisations are approached and that no conflicts of interest or double applications arise.

Communication with the Project

Contact between the workcamp leaders and the project contact person is established.

On-site supervision and organisation

Everything to do with leading the group and organising the daily work together with others involved. In addition, planning events and excursions, ensuring that particularly those under age get the support they need both during and after the workcamp and so on.

Financial Management

The money raised and paid in to the Idem account is made accessible to the workcamp leader, who is responsible for the safe-keeping of all receipts and documents and keeping a set of books. These are handed in to the office on completion of the project and return to Europe.

Follow up meeting

For evaluating the project itself, the intercultural experiences, the pictures and documentation. Often further plans for the next action are made and networking amongst the participants is established. The resulting documentation is then distributed to donors, sponsors and anybody else interested in the project.

For a complete list of jobs involved, download this Checklist.

For ideas on Fundraising, download the Funding Guidelines.

Support for the leaders

Idem, as a registered non-profit organisation, can issue tax certificates on donations, help in the organisation of fundraising, advertise, insure its work camp leaders against possible law suits, administer the money.

In addition, we provide a Workcamp Leader Training (WCLT) and run an Initiative Development Training (IDT) in which the specific needs and questions of the organisers can be addressed.

The WLC (Workcamp Leader Council) provides a liaison and mentor for each workcamp

A contract or statement of intent is drawn up between the Idem office and the work camp leader, officially delegating and accepting the responsibility.

Networking

Work camp leaders often find themselves identifying strongly with the projects in which they have been active. Some repeatedly organise work camps in the same project. A network comes about which opens the way for further initiatives, ideas and support. In this way both the leaders the participants, and Idem as a whole, can play a key role in the success and growth of an important and viable project.