Information on the organisation of IBO-projects
By offering international teams of volunteers, IBO wants to contribute to projects with a social necessity where this is needed, possible and desired.

By the co-operation of volunteers of different nationalities - together with people in another country - IBO wants to help create the circumstances for a real peace between people and nations.

IBO has contributed to over 5.500 projects in - and out of Europe - since the beginning in 1953. On these projects, such as the construction and renovation of orphanages, houses, hospitals, churches, social centres, etc. have worked more than 354.000 volunteers of about 70 nationalities. These volunteers are, most of the time, youngsters - between 18 and 30 years old - who offer their time and work unselfishly, mainly during vacations. They declare to be ready to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

IBO engages volunteers only on those projects where there is enough work during three or four weeks minimum. Depending on the amount of work to be done, more groups can be engaged on the same project: one group replaces the other. After careful deliberation with the project-applicant, the youngsters - normally not experienced - are engaged in carpentry, demolition, bricklaying, painting, etc. It is our experience that - provided that there is a good technical guidance - amazing results can be reached.

Preferably the volunteers should work together on one site. Normally the volunteers don't know each other before the project: working together is an
important condition to reach a     good group cohesion.

IBO takes care of the volunteers' journey and insurance. It is expected that the project-responsible takes care of board and lodging of the volunteers.

Luxury is not expected, on the contrary. A clean room, if possible with (simple) beds or mattresses is sufficient; this can be discussed with the IBO-representative. Depending on the wishes and possibilities it can be agreed that the volunteers cook for themselves or join common meals.

The project-responsible should make sure that the volunteers feel welcome, e.g. by a friendly reception, by making suggestions for leisure-time, stimulate contacts with local people, etc.

For a good result it is very important that the project-responsible offers a steady contact-person. With such a person all matters concerning organisation, day-to-day problems, etc. can be discussed. Of course, such a person should have some knowledge of foreign languages.

To make the camp a success as far as the work is concerned, it is very important that there is a schedule and a list of work that has to be done. This schedule should be discussed with each group that starts. Also, it is good for the motivation of the volunteers to inform them about the backgrounds of the projects and to explain to them why their presence is needed/appreciated. Every day should preferably start with a short meeting, during which tasks (construction and/or household) can be divided. Of course it is very important that all tools and materials are present in time!

Working together is an important condition for all other aspects of a camp. It must be avoided that volunteers have nothing to do. Therefore it is strongly recommended that alternative jobs are planned - before the start of the camps - in case the work that was planned originally can't be done (e.g. because of bad weather).

Summarising, the project-responsible is expected to make sure that:

• there is enough work for the volunteers;
  
  
• there is a plan; 
  
  
• there is good technical guidance;
  
  
• the volunteers feel welcome;
  
  
• board and lodging is taken care of;
  
  
• the volunteers get informed about the project, the plan, the work.