Erasmus+ and Discover smiles & stories - Create social activities for children of refugees (AZC Emmen)

CODE: SIW 2026-07

Work:

Volunteers will work with children aged 4 to 12 who live at the refugee centre. During the summer holidays (July and August), when school is closed, volunteers organise activities for and with the children. Creative volunteers design and lead games and workshops such as sports, music, arts, and language activities. The weekly programme is based on the ideas and input of the volunteer team.
Prior to the project, it combines a 3-day Erasmus+ training with two weeks of volunteering. The training focuses on team building, intercultural communication, sustainability, safe working practices and personal development while working with vulnerable children.
Arrival is 23 July, training 24–25 July, followed by two weeks of volunteering at AZC Emmen.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will stay at a small campsite about a 30-minute bike ride from the project site. Accommodation is in shared tents (two people per tent), provided by SIW, including air mattresses. In case of bad wether we can use a barn on the campsite. We ask volunteers to bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. Facilities include a kitchen, BBQ area, wooden meeting house, four toilets, three showers (one indoor, two heated outdoor), WiFi and a washing machine.

The group will cook together using the available facilities. A large tent is provided for cooking, shared meals, group activities and relaxing.

Acccomodation address:
Camping Emmerdennen
Oude Roswinkelerweg 118
7814RT Emmen NL

Location and leisure

Emmen is a lovely city in the north of the Netherlands with many summer activities. Volunteers will plan your free time together as a group. Some activities are already planned and are connected to the history and culture of the area.
All activities are optional, and the group will decide together what to do.

Possible free time activities include:
Visit a local festival
Visit Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen
Visit art work Broken Circle and Spiral Hill by Robert Smithson
A city trip to Groningen or Zwolle

Project hosted by

Refugee Centre Emmen (AZC Emmen) is located in the north of the Netherlands. The centre can accommodate around 500 refugees, specifically families with minor children whose asylum applications have been rejected. These families are eventually expected to return to their country of origin.

Our partner is the Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA), which provides accommodation during the asylum procedure and prepares asylum seekers for staying in the Netherlands, returning home, or onward migration. COA manages approximately 100 centres nationwide and is funded by the Ministry of Justice. In cooperation with De Vrolijkheid, creative activities are organised for children and teenagers at asylum centres.

Directions to meeting point

This information will be shared with the infosheet you'll receive.

Additional comments

*Volunteers are not allowed to take photos of the refugee families or children.

*Supported by Erasmus+, the project is open to participants from EU countries, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Türkiye, or Serbia. Travel and visa costs are partially reimbursed, with sustainable travel encouraged.