Pedro, Celia, Carmen and Alvaro in a visit to Denmark.
2023-2024 brought an unforgettable adventure for 4 volunteers from Madrid, Spain, who joined the European Solidarity Corps to spend their time in Helsinki, Finland. What began as a quest for discovery and empathy quickly transformed into one of the most meaningful journeys of their lives.
Summer 2023: Embracing the Finnish Summer
Pedro, Celia, and Carmen said goodbye to sunny Madrid and hello to Helsinki’s cool, rainy summer. Trading Spain’s characteristic warmth and south-country vibes for the calm of Finland might seem daunting, but it didn’t take them long to realize the weather was only a small part of their experience. From their very first weeks, they found joy in new friendships, cultural exchanges, and countless eye-opening moments that made the change of scenery more than worth it.
Getting Started
“From the beginning, we understood that our role as volunteers went beyond helping out. We got to design and organize different activities aimed at inspiring solidarity and motivating other young people to join,” shares Pedro.
“It felt like a big challenge at first, but step by step we learned the ropes and met amazing people. We formed a growing network of volunteers who joined a range of initiatives—from ecoprojects to food distribution and cooking for those in need.”
During these early weeks, the volunteers saw firsthand how solidarity can spark social participation. Many new faces who joined the events felt inspired to continue volunteering, with the weekend food distribution project becoming a standout success. Each small step made a big impact, as more and more individuals discovered the joy of giving back.
Beyond Cold and Darkness
As the season shifted and temperatures started to drop, the trio found themselves deep in friendship and community spirit. They were providing assistance to people in need, building supportive networks, and learning something new every day. The shorter days and colder nights didn’t slow them down; in fact, these challenges only fueled their determination to do more.
Hoping to expand their reach, Pedro, Celia, and Carmen tested different ways to engage volunteers—from launching a TikTok account to giving talks in schools and associations explaining their ongoing projects. Then, an exciting opportunity arose: a training session in Kokkola, a city in central Finland, organized by the European Union for volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps. There, they met peers working on projects across the country, traded stories, and discussed future collaborations.
Share Your Christmas
Those conversations laid the groundwork for one of the biggest initiatives they supported: the Share Your Christmas fundraising campaign. Led by IYC, the project focused on collecting funds to buy Christmas gifts for children in Peru and Mexico. Together with over 25 volunteers, and many donors, and partners, the campaign raised 2,574 €.
For our protagonists, this success didn’t signal a time to rest. Their motivation only grew stronger, and they continued working alongside local communities, nurturing the relationships they had formed and caring for people who needed it most.
Concert during the Christmas Gala.
Living for Others
When spring arrived, the thaw brought new life—and a new teammate. Alvaro joined the team for two months. His first activity was coordinating a solidarity week with participants from Spain, Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden. This intercultural meeting acted as a hub to inspire shared experiences, personal growth, and international friendships.
For Alvaro, the time in Finland was just as extraordinary as it was for Pedro, Carmen, and Celia. Together, they discovered something profound about the essence of volunteer work. In their words, even one week with IYC is enough to reveal what truly matters in life:
Living for Others.
