We
welcome opportunities to collaborate, be it on approved projects or new
project proposals. We have extensive experience in the Leonardo da Vinci
programme, with over 50 successfully completed projects, and are interested
in other types of cooperation including Life Long Learning Programmes
such as Grundtvig, Transversal Projects, Language Competencies, Pilot
Projects, and other educational initiatives. We have the capacity to handle
large groups as well as small ones, or even individual students and graduates.
We organize programmes for all demographics: students, young graduates,
teachers and professionals. If you are the coordinator for a group that
is not education-related, or is from outside the European Union and candidate
countries, please contact our sister organization,
Experience Europe or visit
their website at www.expeurope.com.
For new project proposals:
We will gladly accept offers to partner on new projects being submitted
for funding consideration, however we need to understand your project
well enough to determine if it is feasible for us to take on, and we need
enough information to provide a Letter of Intent. Please download our
Questionnaire, fill it in, and return it to
incoming@msbarcelona.com.
As a major metropolitan area and top European tourist destination, Barcelona
offers a wealth of resources for almost any topic, so we accept projects
in most sectors. You can download our 2007
Project List to see some of the sectors we have worked with in the
last year. On the left side of this page you can also download information
you might need for your project application.
Planning a project in Barcelona:
Barcelona is a city with something for everyone. With good representation
of most industries, a vibrant city life, interesting cultural, historical
and architectural aspects, strong tourist industry, great seaside location,
and Medterranean climate Barcelona is a fantastic choice for hosting projects.
Voulnteering and Work
Experience:
Spain is a Spanish-speaking country, and
beneficiaries coming to Spain have the opportunity to practice and become
fluent in one of the most widely used languages in the world. Beneficiaries
coming for volunteer opportunities and work placement should speak intermediary
Spanish or work in fields where English is widely used, such as programming,
IT, graphic design, restaurants & cafes, vacation rentals and tourist
services. Short-term and seasonal volunteer opportunities are available.
Work placements should last a minimum of 4 weeks. Short projects (1-2
weeks) for work experience or beneficiaries with little or no Spanish
can be done as a series of group activities that provide the students
with exposure to real-life work environments, new knowledge, and interactions
with experts and businesses working in their field. Language training
can be included for additional weeks. If students will be under 18 at
time of arrival we will require a Minor Release signed by their parent
or guardian. Work experience is available in almost all sectors.
Expert Exchanges or Projects
with beneficiaries that speak little or no Spanish can communicate through
our fully bilingual (Spanish/English) staff or engage the services of
a language interpreter. Topic-related activities can be organized for
1-2 weeks and language training or cultural activities can be incorporated
into longer projects.
All project activity is selected to match the needs of the project. We
create a schedule of activities designed to meet the goals and objectives
of the project. Therefore, the guidance and information you provide is
critical to the success of the project. We need a clear understanding
of what the project aims to accomplish, and types of host organizations
and activities that would be appropriate. Please indicate the types of
host organizations you wish to visit (example: schools, universities,
NGOs, government authorities, factories, businesses, etc.), and sample
activities you wish to incorporate (example: visits to local government
authorities, see businesses working in this field, seminar on the education
system, etc.)
Catalan is the primary language used in the educational system and governmental
processes in Barcelona, therefore documents from host organizations, such
as class curricula, will usually be in Spanish or Catalan. If documentation
is integral to the success of the project your budget should include translation
service.
What's
included?
All programmes include:
• Airport greeting if arriving to BCN airport (bus station greeting
for other arrivals);
• Orientation meeting;
• Mini tour of the city to learn the local transportation system
and see the sights;
• Organising of activities related to the project goals and objectives;
• Management and ongoing monitoring throughout the term of the project;
• A staff member accompanies the group on all scheduled activities;
• A tutor assigned to the group as Welfare Officer and 24-hour emergency
contact;
• Exit meeting and Certificate of project completion;
• Europass certification (if applicable);
• Appropriate follow up reports
Work placement programmes also include:
• Organising placement into a host company selected to match the
students’ skills, background, and job preferences.
• Staff person to accompany student to in-person interview with
the host organization;
• Management and ongoing monitoring throughout the term of the Placement;
• Evaluation by the supervisor at the host company;
• A tutor, assigned to monitor the beneficiary´s training
progress, serve as liaison between the host company and the student, and
as an ombudsman to solve problems that may occur.
Additional
Services:
Language training can be incorporated into the project.
Students are tested and placed into classes appropriate to their ability.
Language training is normally 20 hours per week.
We offer a variety of accommodations: self-catering flats,
hostels, university residences, host families, and hotels.
We offer local transportation passes and airport transfers from BCN airport
as well as the regional airports of Girona and Reus (both about an from
Barcelona).
Socio-cultural activities can be included in the project.
We offer a list of activities, seasonal and themed offerings, or activities
can be devised to suit the group’s interests. Choices include learning
to cook traditional dishes or dance flamenco, visits to museums and other
sites of cultural or historical interest, wine and cava tours, and day
trips outside the metropolitan area. Cultural activities can also be incorporated
in the daily programme of short-term projects.
Airport Transfer via private
vehicle, such as a minibus or van, is available from BCN "el Prat"
airport, and for an additional fee, from the regional airports at Girona
and Reus.
Beneficiaries must provide proof of European health insurance
and insurance covering accident and repatriation in case of emergency.
What
will my project cost?
The cost of your project is determined by the type of accommodations,
the services we provide, the size of the group and the length of the stay.
We offer the full range of accommodations and services necessary to carry
out the project, and there is lot of flexibility in the arrangements we
can make. Ultimately, your funding will be the deciding factor in determining
the arrangements for your group. It is usually best to set a preliminary
budget for your project application. Once the project is approved and
the amount of funding is known, we will work with you to select options
to fit your budget, including defining cost saving measures if funding
is less than anticipated. For budgeting purposes keep in mind that Barcelona
is a city with a high tourist demand for short-term accommodations and
services. Please
contact us with the budget you have in mind and we will
help you determine if it is appropriate for Barcelona. Or send us your
project details for an estimate of the cost.
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