Work Camps
ActionAid Denmark
(MS)
ActionAid Denmark
Att. Global Contact
Faelledvej 12
DK-2200 Copenhagen N
Denmark
Phone: +45 7731 0022
www.ms.dk
1.
Introduction to ActionAid Denmark
Our organisation was established in 1944, under the name Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke - MS
(Danish Association for International Co-operation), today called ActionAid Denmark.
Our aim is to further international understanding and solidarity across and beyond
national and cultural boundaries. We do this by trying to influence development on
every level from grassroots to government.
2.
Introduction to the Exchange Programme
The International Exchange programme of ActionAid Denmark is called Global Contact
and provides opportunities for everyone to get an insight into other cultures. Our
programme consists of activities and partnerships in most parts of the world. Our aim is to
facilitate understanding of other cultures, political systems, religions and geographical
conditions. We hope that our volunteers will make use of their experience and
knowledge to further social and economic equality. Our programme makes it possible for
people from all over the world to live and work together on an equal basis, to work with
locals and assist in solving problems in society at large.
3.
Introduction to Work Camps in Denmark
ActionAid Denmark has been organising work camps in Denmark for more than 30 years.
The work camps are hosted and sponsored by Danish municipalities, regions, institutions,
private and public funding etc. ActionAid Denmark’s International work camps offer
volunteers a practical and social task, which will benefit a local community. Our main
objective is to get people from different countries, cultures, religions and backgrounds to
work and function together, and through that to learn from and about each other: A
great way to break down prejudices and stereotypes.
4.
Denmark in brief
Denmark is the most southern of the Nordic countries located between the North Sea
and the Baltic Sea. In the south, Denmark shares a 68 km border with Germany. Denmark
consists of the peninsula of Jutland (Jylland) in the west and 406 islands of which approx.
100 are inhabited. Funen (Fyn) and Zealand (Sjælland) are the biggest and most
important islands. The capital Copenhagen is located on Zealand.
Denmark is one of the smaller countries in Europe only slightly larger than Switzerland.
Denmark is a very flat country; the highest “mountain” is just 175 meters high. This, as well
as the fertile soil and temperate climate, makes the land very suitable for agriculture and
about 70% of Denmark’s land surface is used for agricultural production.
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Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, but the responsibility for the actions of the
Queen/King is taken solely by the ministers in the government.
The parliamentary system has been unicameral since 1953. The parliament is called the
“Folketing.” There are 179 members of parliament of which two are elected in Greenland
and two in the Faeroe Islands. Members are elected for four-year terms. For the last 20
years there have never been less than 8 parties represented in the Folketing.
Denmark is a member of the European Union, and 16 members are elected to take a
seat in the European Parliament. The Faeroes Islands and Greenland, however, are not
members of the EU. By referendum the Danish population decided not to enter the
European Monetary Union, therefore the currency in Denmark is still Danish Crowns (DKK).
Area: 43.075 km2
Population: 5.350.000
Capital: Copenhagen (1.400.000 inhabitants)
Major towns: Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg
Head of State: Queen Margrethe II
Prime Minister: Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Liberal Party of Denmark
Language: Danish
Currency: Krone (Danish Crown, DKK), not Euro
Climate: Temperate sea-climate.
Average temperature: -3° in February and 14°–22° in June–August
5.
Practical Matters – Things Your Volunteers Need to Know
5.1. Age
The minimum age for participants on ActionAid Denmark’s work camps in Denmark is 18
years.
For Greenland the minimum age is 20. There is in general no maximum age – with a few
exceptions, as mentioned in the programme.
5.2. Leaders
Each camp in Denmark has two leaders (one or two in Greenland), trained by
ACTIONAID DENMARK. The leaders will act as contact persons for the camp and arrange
the daily life of the camp. The leaders participate in the work and daily life on equal
terms with the other participants. The leaders are volunteers and do not get paid for their
work.
5.3. Language
The language is English on all camps, and participants must be able to communicate
reasonably in English.
5.4. Insurance
During the camp all volunteers are insured for personal liability, personal accidents, and
baggage loss with special exceptions. Important: Please note that the insurance does
not cover travel to and from the camp.
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5.5. Sleeping bag
All volunteers must bring a sleeping bag or equivalent. Often the volunteers will need to
bring a sleeping mattress. If so, this will be written in the infosheet.
5.6. Travel
The volunteer must arrange, and is responsible for, his/her own travel to and from the
camp in Denmark. ActionAid Denmark cannot pick up any volunteers at stations or
airports. Before the camp the volunteer will receive a letter from the camp leader with
practical information including direction on how to get to the camp from the nearest
station/airport.
5.7. Travel costs
Travelling in Denmark by public transportation is very easy and fast, but also expensive.
From Copenhagen Airport there is direct access to trains to all parts of the country. Thus
volunteers do not necessarily have to go to one of the regional airports. However, trains
are quite expensive and the volunteers will often benefit economically if they can go to
a regional airport.
5.8. Visa
Volunteers from Scandinavia and the EU countries DO NOT NEED a visa or a work and
residence permit to participate in our work camps.
Volunteers from other countries will need either a visa or a work and residence permit for
volunteers, depending on the type of camp chosen. If a work and residence permit is
required, this is stated specifically in the description of the work camp.
If needed, you will receive a formal invitation letter from ActionAid Denmark via the
organisation through which you applied to go on work camp. You will have to bring the
invitation letter to the Danish Embassy or Consulate in your home country to get the
permit. We will email/fax the invitation letter to the Embassy/Consulate as well, and will
give the Danish immigration office a list of the people that we have invited.
The volunteer must apply her/himself at the Danish Embassy/Consulate in her/his home
country. The volunteers are recommended only to apply for a visa for the period of the
camp as stated in the official invitation sent by ActionAid Denmark. If a volunteer applies
for a visa for more than the camp period, ActionAid Denmark cannot provide any help if
the volunteer experiences problems in obtaining the visa.
In the countries where Denmark has a real embassy, Danish visas are issued by that
Danish Embassy. However, in the countries where Denmark does not have an embassy
but only a small consulate, Denmark has an agreement with the Norway, Sweden,
France, Germany or another EU country about issuing visas. You can find the general
Danish visa rules on www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/visa/visa.htm - they
specify which documents, photos etc. you need to bring. But we advise you to call the
embassy in advance to be sure you have got what you need before you go, and to get
the opening hours of the visa section. And please make sure that you apply well ahead
of the work camp
How to apply for a work and residence permit for volunteers or a Visa
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To make the process as quick as possible, you have to go to the Danish Embassy in your
country. Find the addresses of the Danish embassies abroad on www.um.dk. The
embassy will ask you to fill in some papers, and will charge you a fee. To get a work and
residence permit for volunteers it is also required that you have a passport and this
passport should be valid minimum six months after the end of your stay. PLEASE CHECK
THE EXACT RULES AS THEY VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.
To apply for the work and residence permit for volunteers you need to fill out a special
form that is called:
“XG1 – Application for a residence and work permit for volunteers and other applicants
with special circumstances”. You find it on www.newtodenmark.dk, where you can use
the search function.
It will be for your own benefit if you bring with you some kind of letter from your own
organisation when you apply, which testifies that you are sent by this organisation.
However this is not requested, but it will help your application on its way through the
system. But please note: You need to apply for the permit as soon as you receive your
invitation letter, as it takes the Danish Immigration Service up to 60 days to process the
permit. The permit is physically a sticker that will be put in your passport.
5.9. Currency
The Danish currency is the Danish Crown (DKK). You cannot use Euro (EUR) in most parts
of the country. Shops will only accept Euros in places with lots of tourists.
6.
The Serious Stuff We Have to Mention
6.1. Drugs
The use of drugs, including smoking of cannabis, is strictly forbidden by Danish law and
will not be tolerated on any ActionAid Denmark work camp in Denmark or Greenland.
6.2. Expulsion
ActionAid Denmark, the organisation and the individual camp leaders reserve the right
to refuse admittance or expel volunteers on the basis of bad behaviour or if the individual
is breaking rules or Danish law.
6.3. Responsibilities/liabilities
ActionAid Denmark does not have any responsibility economically or otherwise for the
volunteers before or after the camp.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not buy air ticket etc. before you get the acceptance from
ActionAid Denmark to do so.
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Map of Denmark
At this map you can see where our work camps are located
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Pictures from last year’s Kids Camp in Mjoelnerparken
The ecovillage Dyssekilde:
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Vingsted Historical Workplace:
An earlier year’s work camp at Brenderup a Folk-high school:
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