Lauderi IV

CODE: YS-2026-11-ESC

Work:

“Youth for Smile”, in partnership with a local NGO, is revitalising the former orphanage building in Lauderi village and transforming it into a centre for non-formal education and community activities.
Volunteers play a key role in this transformation. Through practical work and shared initiative, you will help prepare the territory and the building for its new purpose.
Your Tasks and Activities
Outdoor Area Maintenance (approx. 4 hectares)
The area surrounding the former orphanage is about 4 hectares large. Volunteers will help:
Mow the grass
Clear bushes and overgrown areas
Clean and organise the territory
This work is essential to make the area safe, accessible, and ready for future community use.
Building Preparation
Inside the building, volunteers will assist with:

Dismantling damaged interior finishing (such as wall panels or other worn elements)
Clearing debris
Preparing rooms for future renovation works
This is preparatory work — the goal is to create clean and ready spaces for the next phase of reconstruction.
Community Engagement
The local community is currently not very active, and hosting international volunteers is also a new experience for them. One of our aims is to gently encourage the start of dialogue and cooperation.
Together with volunteers, we will take the first steps toward building communication with local residents — through small meetings, informal conversations, and shared moments. This is an important social aspect of the project, alongside the physical renovation work.
This workcamp is not only about practical tasks, but also about creating connections — with the place, with its history, and with the people who live there.

Accomodation and food

Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a rural house close to the project site. Beds will be provided, but living conditions are simple and basic. The accommodation reflects the rural environment and offers an authentic experience close to nature.
Please be prepared for modest comfort and a shared living space. This is part of the experience of simple and environmentally conscious living.
As the project promotes sustainability, volunteers are strongly encouraged to use environmentally friendly personal hygiene products (biodegradable soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.). Through daily practice, we aim to integrate eco-friendly habits into everyday life.
Food and Cooking
Meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves in a shared kitchen. Cooking will be organised in small teams, encouraging cooperation, responsibility, and teamwork.
This is also an opportunity to exchange recipes, learn about different food cultures, and enjoy time together beyond the working hours.
During the camp, we will organise an International Evening. Volunteers are kindly asked to bring some traditional or typical food (or small items/ingredients) from their home country to share with the group.
Living conditions are basic, but the experience offers closeness to nature, community spirit, and shared responsibility — all essential elements of this workcamp.

Location and leisure

The project takes place in Lauderi village, located in Ludza municipality in Eastern Latvia. The area is rural, peaceful, and surrounded by forests and natural landscapes. It is a good place to experience quiet countryside life and nature.
During free time, volunteers can explore the surrounding area, go for walks, and enjoy the calm environment. There are also opportunities to visit nearby towns and historical places in the region.
Life in a small village allows volunteers to meet local residents and learn about their daily life and traditions.
Volunteers will plan their free-time activities together as a group. This can include small excursions, cultural visits, outdoor activities, or simply relaxing in nature.
More information about Latvia can be found on the official tourism website: https://www.latvia.travel/en](https://www.latvia.travel/en
This location offers a simple and authentic rural experience, with time for both exploration and community life.

Project hosted by

Founded in 2005, Jaunatne smaidam / Youth for Smile is an energetic non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young people in the Bauska region and beyond. At the heart of our mission, we are a values-driven community committed to empowering youth to innovate, share experiences, and foster a sense of togetherness.

Our Vision: Empowering Youth, Enriching Communities

Create: We ignite local and international projects that open doors for learning, participation, and self-expression in safe, nurturing environments.

Experience: We offer dynamic experiences that are both local and global in scope, designed to enhance personal development and prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Be Together: We are dedicated to building a vibrant community where young people can develop essential competencies that contribute to the growth and vitality of their local communities.

Our Impact: From sparking youth-led initiatives to providing enriching educational opportunities through non-formal settings, our work is centered around fostering intellectual and creative growth. We ensure that young individuals enjoy their leisure constructively, gain access to critical developmental resources, and acquire life skills that are integral to lifelong success.

Directions to meeting point

International arrival terminals are Riga International Airport or Riga International Bus Station.
The final meeting point for the camp will be at Zilupe train station.
Please inform us about your arrival time at least one day before the camp starts. This helps us organise your pick-up and ensure a smooth arrival.
A WhatsApp group will be created before the camp for practical communication and coordination. Through this group, participants can also stay informed and connect with each other before arrival.

Additional comments

To cover general organisational costs of the workcamp (food, materials, local transport, coordination, and educational activities), participants are asked to contribute a participation fee.

Payment Conditions

The participation fee must be paid by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp.
Payment options:
Bank transfer to Youth for Smile bank account (available for EU member states).
Online payment system allowing payments via VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut, Wise, and N26.

If you are not able to make a bank transfer, please contact your sending organisation to find a suitable solution.

Confirmation Procedure

To ensure responsible participation and preparation:

Within 30 days after receiving the official acceptance confirmation, the participant must confirm their participation by sending travel information to Youth for Smile.

The participation fee must also be paid no later than 30 days after confirmation.

Failure to confirm participation or complete the payment within this period may result in cancellation of the placement.

Cancellation Policy

If a participant cancels their participation:
At least 45 days before the project starts, or
Within 14 days after receiving the acceptance confirmation,

→ 100% of the participation fee will be refunded.

If cancellation happens at least 14 days before the project start,

→ 50% of the participation fee will be refunded.

Cancellations made less than 14 days before the project start are non-refundable.

This policy helps ensure responsible commitment from participants and allows the organising team to plan the camp sustainably and fairly for all involved.