Guide for volunteers

This is a guide for volunteers currently working in Mladinski EPI center Piran.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations, you are the new volunteers of Mladinski EPI Center Piran!

We made this guide to help you get a basic overview and have an easy start in Slovenia. It will tell you more about the youth centres and the people you will work with. In addition we added information about your apartment and daily needs. Previous volunteers also added hints and favourite spaces they discovered around Piran. Enjoy!

WHERE IS WHAT?

MLADINSKI EPI CENTER PIRAN (Youth Center, location 1) aka EPI PIRAN

Address: Ulica IX. korpusa 44a, 6330 Piran

Googlemaps: https://goo.gl/maps/1Cj2Uj3Hg6u

MLADINSKI EPI CENTER LUCIJA (Youth Center, location 2) aka EPI Lucija

Address: Fazanska 1, 6320 Portorož

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/saCzUZNVEXD2

VOLUNTEER’S APPARTMENT (Your place to relax)

Address: Obala 113, 6320 Portorož

Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/6z3587aV2L5SR5kV6

The volunteers apartment is a 2 bedroom apartment with a kitchen, living room, balcony, bathroom, separate toilet and storage room. The volunteers share the bedrooms and all the common spaces. Linnens and kitchen utensils are provided.

SUPERMARKETS

MERCATOR LUCIJA	Address: Obala 101 Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/L6i4JCvqdXJ8Hagb6 Closes at 20.00
MERCATOR SUPERMARKET LUCIJA	Address: Obala 142, 6320 Portorož Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/BvEgvgcv28i36tJ6A Closes at 21:00
LIDL	Address: Liminjanska cesta 107, 6320 Portorož Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/v6PTLwuFUFbdunkA7 Closes at 21:00 The cheapest supermarket
EUROSPIN	Address: Liminjanska cesta 102b, 6320 Portorož Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/PfrWitWgUwRzaQFF8 Closes at 20.00 Also cheap, especially if you are looking for italian products.

There are no non-stop (0-24) shops, like in bigger cities,
and on public holidays and Sundays, everything is closed!

WHO IS WHO?

STAFF OF EPI CENTER

Varja Palčič, palcic.varja@gmail.com, 00386 31 565 029 (coordinator)	The person to help you with anything and everything, gives you tasks, has weekly meetings with you, deals with all administrative sides of the project (contracts, money…).

You will be working with the following youth workers on a daily basis.

Ask them anything, they have been working in the youth center for a long time, so they know what they are doing ;), they can also tell you about interesting things to do in Slovenia, exciting foods to try …

Lada Tancer, lada.epicenter@simcpiran.si, the youth center manager

Anka Mikeln Rušnjak, anka.epicenter@simcpiran.si, works in EPI Piran

Barbara Motoh, barbara.epicenter@simcpiran.si, works in EPI Lucija

Simon Blaško, simonblasko@yahoo.com, works in EPI Piran & Lucija

Other important people at Športni in mladinski center Piran are:

Matjaž Ukmar, director (the big boss, that sometimes helps out also with little stuff)
Petra Štok, secretary (the one to ask when you don’t know who to ask, she knows who is who in the organisation and how to get what you need)
Vida Okički, accountant (deals with money, the coordinator will deal with her ;))
Azra Božič, the awesome cleaning lady that makes sure both EPIs are clean and tidy
Other employees, that take care of all the facilities (you might run in to them from time to time)

MENTOR

As volunteering is not just a job you will also have a mentor that can help you reflect on your learning process and that takes you out “for a beer” so you can complain a bit about how your coordinator is crazy, how hard the week was or how much you miss your own bed.
Your mentor knows your hosting organisations but is not employed there. He/She will help you to get to know people outside of EPI and show you cool places to hang out.

HOW TO GET AROUND?

You will be provided with a monthly bus ticket for the bus Piran-Lucija. For shorter distances you can also use one of the e-bikes that EPI center has.

BUS TIMETABLES

Piran – Lucija
https://arriva.si/en/passenger-transport/city-bus-transport/city-transport-piran/timetables/

Piran – Koper
https://arriva.si/en/
Piran- Koper – Trieste
https://arriva.si/en/international_transfers/piran-izola-koper-trst-trieste/

On weekends there is currently a 70% discount on all tickets.

TRAIN TIMETABLES

https://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/

The trains are slow and the tickets are quite expensive. For example, a ticket from Koper to Ljubljana costs 12 Euros.

OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT

Flixbus https://www.flixbus.com/	Another cheap way to travel within Slovenia, or to the neighboring countries (Croatia, Italy, Austria, Hungary)
Prevoz.org (Slovenian “Bla Bla car”) https://prevoz.org/	The cheapest and the fastest way to travel around Slovenia, you can get to Ljubljana from the coast for 5 Euros, there are more rides every hour. There is also an Prevoz-app you can use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prevoz.android https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/prevoz/id963578929?l

WORKING TIME

Working days will be from Monday to Friday, for around 6 hours per day (up to 38 hours per week). Normally, in Lucija from 11 am to 5 pm and in Piran from 12 pm to 6 pm. In the summer and other holidays usually between 9am and 3pm. Evenings and weekends will mostly be free.

TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

“Youth worker” (3 volunteers), working directly with kids and youth on a daily basis.
“Social media manager” (1 volunteer), creating content for our website and social media (fotos, videos, graphics …) and helping us give visibility to our work.

DAILY ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH CENTER

Playing with and talking to the kids / youth that visit the youth center on a daily basis.

Tasks:

Take initiative to talk with the kids/youth.
Listen to their stories, troubles …
Talk to them about volunteering (ESC).
Invite them to play board games, cards (that you can find in our youth center) or teach them typical games you play in your country (you can bring some with you).

LANGUAGE CLUB

Preparing a language club for young people in your own language or other language (non-formal learning of foreign language).
Volunteers will teach their own language to kids or youth in our language clubs (German, Italian and English – or others). Language club is a place where participants learn the basics of the language (vocabulary, useful phrases) in a relaxed and informal way and, above all, they get to know the culture of a certain country.

Youth workers will provide volunteers with assistance and support in the preparation and implementation of the language club to the extent necessary. We will provide the necessary material and help with everything else that the volunteer would need.

Tasks:

Taking part in short training about teaching.
Making a plan for topics you want to teach (with your mentor).
Preparing topics and materials for each session.
Finding games and other activities.
Carrying out the language club (implementing the lessons, games and activities).
Help kids with school homework.
Help kids to study for school exams.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Writing & taking photos and videos for our website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube.

Tasks:

Manage our instagram profile (make posts, stories, TikTok…).
Create graphics to post them.
Write a blog about your experience here (or share it in another way eg. podcast, video, article for local jurnal…).
Take photos and videos to post.

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS FOR YOUTH

Running different free time, creative, educational workshops. Help with planning, organizing and implementing bigger events for kids, youth and the general public (concerts, youth exchanges, film nights, public municipal events …)*.

Raising awareness among young people about the possibilities of the Erasmus / ESC program.

Tasks:

Planning, organizing and carrying out workshops/events.
Help with preparing promotional materials.
Help with preparing the event place.
Taking photos for our website, Instagram, Facebook and other social networking sites.
Making posts for Instagram and Facebook.

*Sometimes these events happen during weekends.

VACATION PROGRAM FOR KIDS

For the short holidays during the school year and during the summer holidays, we organize a vacation program for younger children of primary schools in the Municipality of Piran.

The program is organized from 7.30 am to 4 pm. We provided the children with three meals (breakfast, lunch and a snack). In the mornings we do sports at a nearby stadium, walk around the surrounding town ecc. After lunch, children enjoy creative workshops, social and other games. Sometimes we go on a day trip to a different city.

Tasks:

Animating the kids (play games, prepare some workshops ecc.)
Create a secure environment (eg. when going for a walk with the whole group, take care of the safety)
Prevent or resolve conflict between kids.

PERSONAL PROJECT

Developing a personal project. You will learn more about the Personal Project once you arrive, but basically it can be anything that you are interested in, and it can be related to your work in the youth center or not.

SLOVENIAN LANGUAGE COURSE

You will have the opportunity to follow a Slovenian language course and learn the basics of our language. The lessons will be adapted to your work schedule.

OTHER TASKS

In addition to helping with the everyday activities of the youth center, the volunteer will help with events and activities that Mladinski EPI center Piran is organizing or participating in and will be able to participate in all the activities held at the youth center that will suit his or her wishes and needs (e.g. theater/music/art workshops). For the implementation of individual activities, the volunteers will be provided with training and help from the staff and local volunteers.

FREE TIME

You will have the opportunity to take some working days off. In the period of 4 working weeks, there are 2 free days available.
Weekends will mostly be free, so you can spend your free time however you would like to. Down below we listed some places previous volunteers really liked.

BARS/CAFÉS

Cafinho	Address: Prvomajski trg 3, 6330 Piran Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/JCjY5CKCMVL3HDMx8 Relaxed atmosphere, a lot of different beers and just at the seaside in Piran. Also affordable.
Latino Bar	Address: Obala 114, 6320 Lucija Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/8YuiA8kjpPvYakA2A The bar is near your home and has very fair prices. Plays Latin music all the time.
Mandrač	Address: Obala 4, 6320 Portorož – Portorose Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/PMhjma393PFzX4LH7 A little far away, near Hotel Bernardine. A lot of students go there and it has a good atmosphere. Good for hanging out before the party. Also they have burgers.
Caffe Teater	Address: Kidričevo nabrežje 6, 6330 Piran Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/1Zt2nSBBKVGoBRcY8 Comfortable place to have a tea or coffee. In-between the theatre and the sea Caffe Teater has a terrace with a nice view on Piran.
Slaščičarna Piran	Address: Cankarjevo nabrežje 1, 6330 Piran Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/heFChKnZuVjfhUsX7 A nice place where you can sit and have good cakes and ice creams.
Cacao	Address: Obala 14, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://g.page/cacao-portoroz?share It has the best ice cream in town, but also good cocktails and cake. The prices are quite high and on weekends it can get very crowded.
Mignon	Address: Obala 33, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/s9vjPCjJEYJRNp4r5 They have amazing waffles for 7-9 euros (but they are huge, it’s better to order just 1 for 2 people, seriously).
Mazinin	Address: Obala 55, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/4untyaQWX7R4ropy8 A cozy place to have beer and wine at very fair prices.
Slaščičarna Opera	Address: Obala 63, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/T5Pgzppuzn96yFYX7 This place has really nice cookies and mini cakes. They have a terrace where you can sit and enjoy the sun.

PLACES TO EAT

News Café	Address: Obala 4f, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xPyMmF6cc5h43TZq7 Many students go here. They have a big menu and the prices are okay. They have some students parties sometimes during the week.
Bon Café	Address: Obala 114, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/XMCud2q9YoY3avHr6 They have very big burgers and good pizza for less money.
Fritolin pri Cantini	Address: Prvomajski trg 10, 6330 Piran, Slovenia Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/dmq5smCHX5DuZ7FK9 A cantina on the Prvomajski square with very good fish for a moderate price. You order at a window and sit on the benches outside.
Pizzeria SantaLucia	Address: Liminjanska cesta 78, Športna dvorana, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://g.page/santalucia-pizzerija?share The pizzeria is near EPI Lucija and your house. You can go and eat the pizza there or take it home on 5 minutes way. They also have a delivery service.
Pizzeria Zlato Sidro	Address: Obala 111, 6320 Portorož Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/GAJ3JMMrpPLnK4zx6 The pizzeria closest to your house. You can eat there or take your food to-go. The prices are affordable and the food is good.
Tamkotzmeraj	Address: Obala 112, 6320 Portorož Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/PvRDSr27ePvRx6W36 A small café that belongs to a friend of Varja. They have amazing burgers and good lemonade. 2 minutes from the volunteers flat.
Sarajevo 84	Address: Tomšičeva ulica 43, 6330 Piran – Pirano Google Maps: https://g.page/sarajevo-84piran?share Typical balkan food. Very cheap for eating.

SHOPPING

There are some small shops in TPC Lucija (in front of your house) but for bigger shopping, you can take the bus to Koper (about 45 min ride). There is a big shopping centre Planet Koper (Address: Ankaranska cesta 2, 6000 Koper; Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/PZS2Q7rCSEfFiWys5 )

PARTIES

In the summer, there are a lot of parties, concerts and events going on. You will have to find out by yourself what you prefer. Yet, we would recommend you to get involved with the students of the Turistica faculty in Portorož. They organise a lot of events also after the holiday season is over. A lot of them take place in Turisticaffe at the faculty (Address: Obala 11a, 6320 Portorož; Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/1PrF9vBN2N3fBhbe7 ).

In New’s Café sometimes they have students Party.

Pergola (https://g.page/PergolaPrestigeClub?share) is the only disco (most of it is Balkan music) open during the winter.

In spring and summer, we have Alaya (https://goo.gl/maps/XpsoExiVdWL3Twvv7) and Coco café (https://goo.gl/maps/djQCs71mMG8Zh7DA6) open until 3-4 am, both in Portorož.

Of course your coordinator and mentor advise you to be responsible and don’t drink too much and take care of yourself.

SWIMMING

15 minutes away from your flat is a nice and not so crowded place to go for a swim in the sea. It is under the viewing point “Forma Viva” and behind the camping “Kamp Lucija” at the left of Lucija. You get there by going past the bus station at TPC and then turning right towards the camping. Now you just go straight through the camping until you reach the coast (Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/MwGhuR4MkLXZ3kkz7 ).

In case, you prefer to sit on grass just go a little more to left.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other opportunities to go swimming all along the coast of Piran and Portorož, but it may be more crowded.

Another option for swimming is to try the swimming pools in the hotels. Portorož has many hotels that have swimming pools and offer different wellness programs. You can look online at the available options. A good and affordable place is LifeClass Hotels & Spa (Address: Obala 33, 6320 Portorož; Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/afH6kDLAcFoBt9SUA)

SPORTS

In Portorož the Students organization has some sports for free that you can join (volleyball, football, basketball, etc.). Also they have some activities in Koper. Webpage: https://uszp.si/sl

For volleyball, there are some courts in Portorož (Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/WytwX7m7iJ6D37EE8) and some in the beach (Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/fCQ7rwkBQ46GQTM99)

TRAVELLING

Only a few kilometers are necessary to travel between the sea, the mountains, the caves, the forests. The small size of Slovenia is a perfect opportunity for volunteers, who would like to travel within the country or in the neighboring countries.

MUST SEES:

Ljubljana
Bled and Bohinj: In Triglav National Park, Bled is 1 hour from Ljubljana and there are buses every hour.
Kranska Gora and Jasna Lake: In Triglav National Park, further away from Ljubljana
Soča River: In Triglav National Park, probably you need a car. You can kayak there.
Škofja Loka: Very close to Ljubljana, a small town, very cute.
Novo Mesto
Rogla: Very popular for skiing and hiking, amazing landscapes
Maribor
Celje

ADVICE FROM PREVIOUS VOLUNTEERS
In the summer, you can organize very cheap, 1-day trips to beautiful, turquoise beaches in the neighboring Croatia.
Flixbuses leave from Portorož to different places, every day. (For example Poreč, Umag, Rovinj etc.)
Moreover, you can find flight tickets to many destinations from Venice, Trieste or from Pula.

CONCLUSION

As you see there is a lot to do in and around EPI during your voluntary year. We hope this guide will help you enjoy your time in Lucija and Piran. Even, in case of any problems during your stay you now have a lot of contacts to help you find a solution. We are sure you will have as much fun exploring Slovenia as we had!

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