noOR NGO was founded in 2004 – a large part of the organisation’s current activities consist of international youth work projects, such as ESC (European Solidarity Corps), youth exchanges and training courses. In youth exchange and training projects, we participate both as a local coordinating and as a sending organisation. International youth work projects have given us in-depth knowledge of intercultural learning, project management and multifaceted youth work.
Our partners include several youth centres, social centres, schools and kindergartens, which also hold European Solidarity Corps quality labels. We are always open to new partners who are interested in involving international volunteers and hosting them within their organisation.
Our European Solidarity Corps projects from recent years are listed below, in which volunteers served at the above-mentioned host organisations. The goal of all projects is to empower young people by offering them a learning opportunity in a new environment, through which the host organisations and the community also learn. Volunteers do this through their service — working with children in kindergartens, working with youth in youth centres, and working with people with special needs and integrating them into society. You can read volunteers’ posts in the “NEWS” section.
— The project Heart Matters (2021-1-EE01-ESC51-VTJ-000037664), which began in 2021, brought 25 international volunteers to Estonia through noOR. The largest group — 4 volunteers — came from Italy, and one participant was from as far as Chile. One notable achievement was an exhibition of artworks by people with special needs, organised by AS Hoolekandeteenused volunteers in Tallinn libraries. The event proved popular and was repeated a second time.
— In the 2022 project Cultural Connections (2022-1-EE01-ESC51-VTJ-000068163), we coordinated the service of 5 international volunteers. The volunteers came from Romania, Spain (2) and Austria (2). They helped organise youth camps and cultural evenings.
— Under the 2023 project Open Wings (2023-1-EE01-ESC51-VTJ-000127049), 20 international volunteers arrived in Estonia, of whom 5 were from Turkey, 4 from Spain, and the furthest-travelling participant was from India. Volunteers from different kindergartens organised joint events together, and children from one kindergarten sang Italian songs under the guidance of an Italian volunteer.
— In the 2024 project Beyond Borders (2024-1-EE01-ESC51-VTJ-000203340), 18 international volunteers participated. 4 of them were from Germany, and throughout this project the participants were also very active in writing youth work projects themselves. The volunteers collaborated extensively in organising events, resulting in, for example, a shadow theatre performance put on for three different kindergarten families.
– 2025 project “Shared Paths” included international 22 volunteers from 9 different countries with farthest of them from Bangladesh. Volunteers excelled with their enthuasism and active participation, some of which are also posted in our social media. noOR started partnership with two new Hosting Organizations Kullatera Lasteaed and Sipsiku Lasteaed.
This project has received funding from the European Comission’s European Solidarity Corps programme