Fortress of Skopje

EVS GUIDE FORVOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS CENTRE SKOPJE is a non-governmental youth organization created in 2005 by former EVS volunteers. The main goal of the organization is to give non-formal educational possibilities to young people, in different fields, on local and international level; to promote the idea of volunteerism and to connect young people no matter their nationality, religion, political,economical or social status. We are putting effort to develop a multicultural civil society, to reinforce the existing democratic structure, to enhance the affirmation of young people through their individual abilities and skills and to connect young people so they can develop closer cooperation.

More information about our organization and activities you can find onissuu : http://issuu.com/vcsvoicesblog : voiceskopje.orgwebsite: http://vcs.org.mk/mk/facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcs.skopje/instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vcs.skopje/youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VolunteersCentreSktwitter: https://twitter.com/contact_vcs/media

NIKOLA STANKOSKI Director

I’m actively involved in NGO sector from 2004. I had personal experience as EVS volunteer in Lithuania in 2005 and participated in various mobility activities implemented under Youth in Action/Erasmus + program and other mobility programs. I gained vast knowledge in the field of project and finance management through preparation and implementation of various grant opportunities.

I’m a part of policy making group focused especially on creating and implementing voluntary law in Macedonia.

Phone : +389 78 323 0397 E-mail : nikola@vcs.org.mk

IVANA ANGJELOVSKAProject and EVS coordinator

I come from Skopje.I’m in the world of NGO and non-

formal education almost 10 years. I joined VCS in 2013 when I started to be part of local activities, I organized

and implemented workshops for youngsters. With VCS I did my short -term EVS in Bulgaria

from 2013 to 2014. I’m regional coordinator of MMUN (Macedonian Model United Nation) for coalition SEGA.

From January 2016, I’m an EVS coordinator and I manage local and international activities in Volunteers Center

Skopje.

Phone : +389 77 645 710 E-mail : ivana@vcs.org.mk

VAfIRE MUhAREMIProject coordinator

LL M in International law and relations and EU policies.

I am engaged in the NGO sector since 2015. I am currently a project

coordinator in VCS. Previously I have been a project assistant in the Institute for Human rights in IPA project. I

am actively working with youth work since 2017. I am involved in youth work since 2016, and I had

opportunity to be part of several projects dealing with recognition of youth work, learning design, creating

questionnaires for TC evaluations.E-mail : vafire@vcs.org.mk

Address of the office : Emil Zola 3/3-1, Kisela Voda, 1000 Skopje

Dear Volunteers,Welcome to EVS, welcome to Macedonia! In this Information Guide you will find some basic informationabout Macedonia, Macedonian capital - Skopje, your project and activitiesyou can get involved in.

But at first we would like to introduce ourselves. We are staff of VOLUNTEERS CENTRE SKOPJE.

About Us

Welcome Team VCS

European Voluntary Service (shortly EVS) is a partnership between two or more NGO´s. The EVS is funded by European commission and aims to improve young people skills. Volunteers participate in EVS through the sending organization in the country where they live and the receiving organization that receives and

hosts them during their period of project.

You will receive free accommodation, food, insurance and pocket money. You can work in a wide range of fields such as culture, youth, sports, children, cultural heritage, arts, environment, and development cooperation.

In the end of your project you will receive a certificate confirming your participation – the YOUTHPASS. In each EVS project the treatment, accommodation, tasks, working hours and days of work for volunteer vary from one

EVS project to another, therefore the choice of an EVS project is very delicate and very important phase.

REMEMBER : European Voluntary Service is an experience that you can make only once in lifetime (you can make first short time EVS till two months) and after a long term. Not the opposite! But in total time period 12 months,

so make sure to take the best out of it!

What is EVS ?

Your mentor will be around you during all your EVS. What is the role of the mentor? What can you expect from your mentor? The mentor will help to arrange practical things during your stay in Skopje. During the first days he/she will take you around the city, show the most important and interesting places. During the whole project the mentor will help you with practical arrangements and other issues. You will have regular meetings with your mentor and share with him/her your expectations and your issues or problems if you will enocunter any. Your mentor will be another person who will try to make your EVS the best experience. Mentors in our organization are mostly university students and/or young people who were EVS volunteers or are willing to become EVS volunteers.

VOICES, DAILY CENTER FOR CHILDREN FROM THE STREETS, PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM, PERSONAL PROJECT are the key words of your EVS project. Being part of VOICES magazine includes making research on the topics, writing articles, making interviews, coordinating translations, making design of the magazine, taking part in promotion activities. As an EVS volunteer you will be also involved in activities focused on raising awareness among young people in Skopje and Macedonia about Erasmus+ Programme in general and EVS program particularly. You will be also involved in workshops with children in daily center for Roma children. The workshop takes place in the daily center of Shutka. Each workshop lasts around 2 hours and you can feel free to bring ideas which you would like to realize during workshops. There is also open space for developing your own ideas in concrete activities. You are more than welcome to organize workshops, events targeting young people in Skopje. Just to give you inspiration, in previous years EVS volunteers organized music workshops, dance and theatre workshops, language classes, camera obscura workshop, workshops about creative recycling and much more...

It will be great if you can take your time and inform us about your ideas for your own personal workshops so we can work on your ideas before coming.

Moreover we would also like to support intercultural learning and motivate young people in Skopje to discover more about your culture, thus we would like to organize intercultural evenings during which you can show interesting movies, teach dances, share music. We would like to ask if you can brainstorm ideas for these intercultural evenings and share them with us.

Country:http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/http://www.skopjeonline.com.mk/ Transport:http://sas.com.mk/index.phphttp://www.jsp.mkhttp://www.balkanviator.com/en/ (not just for Macedonia)

Activities

Links

Mentor

EVS Trainings- The first EVS on-arrival training the volunteer will have it eith the hosting organization for your better understanding of programme and the project. In the first two months, the volunteer will be part of the on-arrival training organized by NA in Macedonia.- The mid-term evaluation meeting is obligatory who is on the long-term project and will be held after 6 months of the starting of the project.

- To research informative needs and actualities of young people in Macedonia.

- To be in charge on main ongoing events which are happening in the youth area and non-formal education field and to make reports about these events.

- To inform about different European mobility and educational programs.

- To assist in designing of the papers, taking pictures and preparing illustrations for their articles.

- To cooperate with the local community and participate in their projects, communicate with other organizations, searching for the new local volunteers and take part in host organization activities.

- To be responsible to release the magazine once per month in Albanian, Macedonian and English language and coordinate the translations of articles.

- To assist in delivering the papers in the universities, cafes, libraries and dormitories.

- In cooperation with staff workers to develop and write internet blog version of VOICES.

- To prepare news articles concerning the project and other activities of the volunteers for the websites of hosting and sending organizations.

- Upon their interests and knowledge volunteers can work with children and youngsters with fewer opportunities (street children, career centers, children without parental care, children and youngsters from ethnical groups facing discrimination and social exclusion and youngsters from rural and border areas) and plan and organize workshops that aim to develop artistic and creative skills or foreign language knowledge.

Role of the volunteer

You will be hosted in one of our flats. Both of them are in Kisela Voda, really close to the office. In the first one there are 3 rooms, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen with living room and 2 balconies. In other one, there are 5 rooms, 1 living room, 2 bathrooms and 1 balcony. It’s close to markets Vero and Maxi D and lots of commodity.Flats are located at 15 min walk from the city center.

You will share kitchen and other facilities with other EVS volunteers. In the flat you can find all necessary stuff as kitchen supplies, blankets, bed clothes, towels, etc. The Wi-Fi internet is available in the flats as well. It’s recom-mended for you to bring your towels.

Address of the first flat :Ivan Kozarov 24/2-4Kisela voda, 1000, Skopje

ccomodationA

Address of the second flat :Emil Zola 3-2/3

Kisela Voda , 1000, Skopje

Let’s speak Macedonian! During your EVS time you will have an opportunity to talk with locals, thanks to our little dictionary you will feel more comfortable in daily life situations.

In Macedonia we use Macedonian denars (MKD).The current exchange rate : 1 EUR = 61 MKD. You can exchange euros and denars without any problems here. Most of the bigger shops and restaurants accept also credit cards. When you leave Macedonia, do not forget to exchange your money back, because you cannot exchange MKD outside Macedonia! In Macedonia EVS volunteers receive 60 € / 3660 MKD pocket money, as well as 100 € / 6100 MKD food allowance.

During your EVS you are insured by Cigna that covers most of the expenses for doctor visits or emergencies. Your sending organization should arrange your insurance, please ask about it, if you did not receive any information until now. If you have some specific health problem, please, take your medicine with you, be informed what should be done in case your health condition gets worse, also be sure to leave correct emergency contact information to us and to your sending organization.

Language

Insurance

Money

You will receive tickets for public transport if it will be needed for your local activities. In case you want to take a taxi: taxi in Skopje is cheap, just remember that taxi drivers sometimes do not know where the place where you want to go is. And the prices? For one ride in the city you should pay from 100 MKD to 200 MKD.

Two of most reliable companies is called Global Taxi - call to 070 515 180 Nashe Taxi - call to 02 15 152Riva Taxi - call to 02 15 161

In summer it is hot, really hot in Macedonia. Especially in June, July and August you can expect temperatures over 40 °C. And winter can be cold but it’s mostly not. https://www.accuweather.com/en/mk/skopje/227397/weather-forecast/227397

Transport

Weather

*Check if your travel documents (you can enter Macedonia with ID card or passport) are VALID at least three months after your project will be finished. *Pack your medicaments which you use. *Unblock your phone as you will receive Macedonian SIM card for easier communication with hosting organization, mentor etc.*As there is WI-FI internet available in our office, house and other public places in Skopje feel free to take your laptop with you. *Get ready for project activities: brainstorming ideas for intercultural nights, workshops and sharing your ideas with us.

Useful phone numbers: Police : 192 - Ambulance: 194 - Firemen: 193 - Information Center: 188

Check list

Good morning : Dobar den - Добар ден

Hi : Zdravo - Здраво

Thank you : Fala - Фала

Goodbye : Prijatno - Пријатно

How are you ? : Kako si ? - Како си ?

Bye ! : Tchao ! - Чао !

See you later ! : Se gledame ! - Се гледаме !

What´s your name ? : Kako se vikash ? - Како си ?

My name is ... : Jas se vikam ... - Јас се викам ...

Please : Ve molam - Ве молам

Water : Voda - Вода

Tap water : Voda od sheshma - Вода од чешма

Wine : Vino - Вино

Beer : Pivo - Пиво

Bon appetit ! : Prijatno Jadenje ! - Пријатно јадење !

Here we go : Ajde - Ајде

Why not ? : Zosto da ne ? - Зашто да не ?

I know : Znam - Знам

I don´t know : Ne znam - Не знам

I don´t understand : Ne razbiram - Не разбирам

No problem : Nema problem - Нема проблем

There is no rakija ! : Nema rakija - Нема ракија

Oh lalala ! : Leleee ! - Лелеее !

Happiness : Srekja - Среќа

Beauty : Ubavina - Убавина

Beautiful : Prekrasna - Прекрасна

Oh my god : O boze - О боже !

How old are you ? Kolku godini imash ? - Колку години имаш ?

Useful Sentences

Cyrillic Alphabet

Cool places in SkopjeOld Bazaar

MenadaPivnicaRakija BarLa kaña Kapan Ann NargileKurshumli AnBezisten

City Center

Irish Pub St.Patrick - On Vardar’s Key.New Age - Lost in some street, close to the Greek Embassy.Custom Bar - Bikers Bar and sometimes there’s live music. Kashmir Caffe - Nice place with a lot of different teas and coffees and nice decorations, a bit more expensive.Cocktail Bar - Classic bar and good cocktail around 200 MKD. On Macedonian Street.

Debar Maalo

Van Gogh – Every Monday Live music.Spalato - Good cocktail for 100 MKD.

Central Park Skopje Club Marakana - rock clubSummer Club Havana

NINO Fast food (macrobiotic sandwiches)- In GTCGino - It’s a little bit expensive but good.Staro Bure - In Kučkovo, very good restaurant with fresh meat.Zelena Sedmica (or 7 fast food) - Popular fast food famous for big portions.Galerija 7 - Turkish restaurant in Old Bazaar.Gostilnica La Tana - Very good Kafana.Plaza de Toros - Spanish restaurant with nice, big and cheap pizzas or pastas. London Cafe Trend - Every Sunday 50% discount, but not the best service you could expect.

Hair dresser (for men) - In Old bazaar, ask other volunteers for exact location - 150 MKD

Hair dresser DEA (for women) - Close to the office, around 150 MKD. Ask Ivana, she can explain how to go to this place.

Hotel Russia Spa - Great place for massage and spa, a little bit expensive but really great. Around 2000 MKD for 1h massage and unlimited spa.

Fitness room Atanasovski - Close to the office, good and friendly staff. 1000 MKD for one month

Debar Maalo

Gradski park - It’s city park. Nice place for walk or to read a book.

Gazi Baba park - Also nice place for walk or to read a book.

Stara Čaršija (or Old Bazaar) - Typical place of old Skopje. In this area, you can find Pit Bazar and some cheap restaurants, shops, souvenirs, ...

Vodno - One of famous place in Skopje with Millenium Cross. You can go by bus and take funicular to go to the Cross. Also, you can go up by walk, but you need 3 hours !

Matka - Natural place with canyon and hiking way. You can hike between Vodno and Matka, but you need one day and good preparation :) !

Aqua park - Classical Aqua park, perfect during hot summer !

Escape room - More information on escaperoom.mk

Macedonian Museum of Archaeology - 150MKD for students or 300MKD full price.

Museum of Contemporary art - After the Fortress of Skopje - 50 MKD.

Museum of Macedonia - In Old Bazaar - 100 MKD - Close Monday.

National Gallery - At the entrance of Old Bazaar in Hammam - 100 MKD - Open Monday to Friday.

Museum of the city of Skopje - In old rail station, at the end of Macedonian Street - free entrance.

Mother Tereza Memorial House - On Macedonian Street.

Macedonian Uprising Museum - After the Stone Bridge - 300MKD - open everyday.

Holocaust Memorial - After the Stone Bridge - open Monday to Friday - free entrance.

Skopje Zoo - On boulevard Illiden - 50 MKD.

Macedonian Public Prosecution

The European Youth Card is a card for young peple offering a large number of discounts as culture, travel, accomodation, shopping and services in most of European countries.This card costs between 5 and 19 € but you will get it for free :)

The card is usually used and valid for one year.

You can find more informations on : https://www.eyca.org/

European YOUTH CARD

MKC (or Mladinski kulturni centar) - it’s Youth Cultural Center. There are concerts, exhibitions, performances.

Kino Millenium - in GTC. It’s a cheap cinema, around 120 or 180 MKD for one ticket.

Kinoteka - On Partizanka Boulevard.

Cineplexx - Cinema at Skopje City Mall. More expensive than Millenium, around 300 or 350 MKD.

Kino Kultura - It’s a cultural center with exhibitions. It’s a really interesting place. Check on internet, because they are moving their place at this moment.

Theatre of Skopje - It’s close to “Rekord Bus Station”

Opera Ballet of Skopje - Nice place and good prices. Between 300 MKD and 800 MKD for one ticket. They have a good program and the concert room has a really good acoustic.

Face without masks (April) - Theater festival.

VinoSkop Spring (May) - It’s wine festival in Skopje close to the Vero Center.

Skopje Street Art Festival (June) - Festival about all forms of street art : Graffiti, Dance, Music, Culture, Lifestyle, ...They have good program with contest of dance, live music, performance graffiti, ...

Paratissima (June) - Good festival about contemporary art and dance. It’s in MKC with some exhibitions and performances.

Pivofest (September) - Beer festival at the Fortress of Skopje.

VinoSkop (September) - It’s the main wine fest in Macedonia. Every year, around 25 wineries come in Skopje and during 5 days make party !

Skopje Jazz Festival (October) - Classic jazz festival.

Bit pazar - Bazar for everything ! located at the end of Old bazaar.

Green Bazar - Bazar for vegetables and fruits.

GTC (Gradski Trgovski Centar) - It’s an older city mall in the very center of Skopje, with a lot of shops.

Skopje City Mall - The main city mall in Skopje. A little bit expensive and far from the city center, but with international brands.

Capitol - One another city mall in Aerodrom municipality.

Tailor - In Old bazaar, close to Hair dresser for men.

Staff Agency - Travel agency with many destinations and nice prices !

Map of Skopje

Veles (1 afternoon)Close to Skopje, around 30/45 min by bus, it’s a little city. You can find some restaurants or bars, walk across the city and discover the Clock Tower and the Bridge of Veles.

Tetovo (1 day)From Skopje, you need 1h to go to this city. The city is not so cute but they have a beautiful Decorated Mosque in the city center. You can also discover the Monastery of Dervishes at the end of the city.

Gostivar (1 day)You need 1h30 to go to Gostivar, it’s a nice place to discover old traditional city of Macedonia. Also, you can take a Taxi for 3€ and go to Vrutok. It’s the source of Vardar and there is a restaurant close to the source. This place is really cute.

Mavrovo (1 day)At 2h by bus, great place for hiking in forest or around the lake. Also, in winter, you can practise skiing.

Bitola (1 weekend)Nice city in south of Macedonia. The acrhitecture is influenced by the Turks from the time of the Ottoman Empire.

Vevchani ( for the Carnival in January/2 days )The best carnival ever in Balkans and really famous around the world. Insane and strange. Vevchani is really cute, it’s a traditional village of Macedonia.

Ohrid Lake (1 weekend)Located in south of Macedonia, 3h by bus from Skopje, it’s a perfect place for hot summer. You can take a rest around the lake and discover one of the most beautiful cities of Macedonia.

http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/

Discover Macedonia

Map of

Macedonia

TAKE IT EASY !Take your time! You don´t need to hurry :-) (They won´t hurry either)

CURIOSITY IS ESSENTIAL !Be curious and prepared for surprises!

DON´T JUDGE !Forget about stereotypes and stay open-minded!

WATCH OUT ON THE STREET !Be careful while walking on the streets ! Drivers are (sometimes) crazy here.

LEARN MACEDONIAN !Then you can talk to local people and explore more.

ILLEGAL TAXI ARE FREQUENT ! Don´t get into any taxi and be careful about the prices they charge you with.

TRY LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS !Enjoy Macedonian food which is delicious even more with a glass of wine, beer or rakija while listening to local music.

HOT SUMMER AND COLD WINTERS !Be prepared for an amazingly hot summer but also severe winters. You cango swimming in summer and go skiing in winter. Amazing right?

BUY VEGETABLES AND FRUITS FROM THE LOCAL MARKET !You can buy fresh vegetables and fruits and local specialities in local storesand bazaars. It’s incredibly tasty and cheap.

THE MOST IMPORTANT : ENJOY !Enjoy every moment you have in Macedonia...Some things will surprise you, some will make you wonder, some will make you pleased or sad. Appreciate and take all of those moments.

Survival kit forMacedonia !