Vereinigung Junger Freiwilliger

* "Vols." are the numbers of volunteers to be recruited (both Japanese and foreigners).

Project 2: LMTV Projects
(Long & Middle Term Voluntary projects: over 6 weeks)

NICE categorizes LMTV projects into following two;
* LMTI (Long and Middle Term Individual voluntary projects): LMTV projects where one or two volunteers stay and work in the same period.
* LMTW (Long and Middle Term Workcamps): LMTV projects where more than two volunteers stay and work together in the same period.

 2-1) The common points (unless mentioned in each description of the detailed info.);

a) Age limit
From 18 (No maximum)
b) Language
English and/ or Japanese (depending on the projects.  See the detailed info.!)
c) Insurance
We provide small insurance only for accidents during the projects IN JAPAN.
d) Accommodations
Basic, but enjoyable enough.  But in many of LMTI, we provide a single room!

 2-2) Application procedure

Step 1: Send application: through the partners!!
All applicants need to send the application forms with motivation letters. Non-Japanese volunteers living outside Japan need to apply through our partner NGOs of their countries (if your country is in Asia-Pacific and has no such NGOs, then you need to apply through NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia) http://www.nvda-asiapacific.org/. 
Only if you are Japanese or live in Japan for a year or more, you can apply to NICE directly. Ask LM-in@nice1.gr.jp for more info., then we will send you the guidance (procedure, fee, etc.) and the form.

< How much should volunteers pay? >
Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects & the following Program fee while meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE & the local partners;
a) From the NGOs charging no fee in their LMTV projects to NICE vols.: No fee
b) From the NGOs charging some fee in their LMTV projects to NICE vols. or having no LMTV projects to host NICE vols.: Program fee of 10,000 yen per one month To be paid on their arrivals
* There is also a participation fee in some projects outside Japan (mentioned in each project description).
* Some projects in Japan provide pocket money  (mentioned in each project description).

Step 2: Phone Interview (only for some LMTI)
If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking GOOD Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have phone interview.  Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO right after NICE will have received your application form.

Step 3: Acceptance
Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO whether you can be accepted or not by e-mail (Acceptance Letter, Seminars info. and NICE Volunteers' Guide will be also sent if you are accepted).  It usually takes 1-2 weeks (in some cases, even 3-4 weeks!).

Step4: Book the flights as soon as being accepted and do other preparation!
Don't wait for the Information Sheets, otherwise you may miss economical flights!
If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka by the day before the Seminars start and it is quite possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough! Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before/ after the projects! 
You can do any other preparation such as studying Japanese language/ culture/ history, etc.

< About VISA for Japan >
Unfortunately, we do not have any visa category for volunteer activities in Japan, but don't worry,   you are NOT illegal to stay in Japan for volunteering even with tourist visa!

* If you can come to Japan as a tourist without visa (from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, many of Latin America, etc.)
You will need to join the program as a tourist (usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months.  So, you can apply for a program for 3 months in maximum (but those from Mexico, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, UK, Germany can stay for 6 months in maximum).  Some people have got another 3 months stay by going to the neighboring country such as Korea and Taiwan though we are not sure if it is always possible.  Some nationalities (Germany, France, UK, Korea, Canada, Australia, NZ, Taiwan and Hong Kong) can try to get working holiday visa for one year!!

* If you need our visa invitation letter to come to Japan (from most of south/ southeast Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, some of Latin America, etc.)
NICE will send you the invitation letter to your sending NGO and then, you will need to apply for visa to the Japanese embassy in your country with it.  The maximum length may be for 3 months.

Step 5: The detailed information of the project
By 1 month before the project will start, volunteers will receive "Information Sheets" (details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.).

Step 6: On arrival program
NICE organizes Preparation Seminars for LMTV (LMTI/ LMTW) for Japanese/ foreign outgoing/ incoming volunteers together with Evaluation Seminars where all volunteers need to join!
There will be the Seminars also around Osaka which info. will be sent to the vols. upon their requests.

< List of Preparation/ Evaluation Seminars >

Pax: Total number of the participants expected (Japanese/ foreign, outgoing/ incoming vols. plus staff)
Program: * Workshops (setting up the goals, "my expectation, fear and contribution", planning projects)
* Orientation (advice from the staff/ ex. volunteers, questions and answers, etc.)
* Games, (in some cases) voluntary work, cooking, party, discussion, etc.
Fee: 2,000 yen (as the part of cost of meals, accommodation and meeting rooms during the program)
Transportation to/ from the place is not included and should be paid by the vols. by themselves.

Step 7: Joining the project!
You will stay and work with your local hosts (and other vols. in some projects).  Have a fruitful stay!

Step 8: Evaluation Seminar
As mentioned in Step 6, all vols. also need to join the Evaluation Seminar (as listed above) that will be done together with the Preparation Seminar in the same dates and places. During the Seminar, vols. will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. Then, they will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. You are also expected to advise the vols. of Preparation Seminar and surely, can have fun by all together!

< To join LMTV Projects all over the world>
(organized by the partner NGOs)

1) Where and When organized?
NICE introduces about 300 projects in 30 countries organized by the partner NGOs.
The projects are held all through the year.

2) Who can apply (through NICE)?
Japanese citizen or other citizens who are living in Japan for a long time (for a year or more).
If you are NOT in the above criteria, you need to apply through our partner NGO in your country.
* If your country is in Asia-Pacific and has no such NGOs, then you need to apply through
NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia) http://www.nvda-asiapacific.org/

3) How can I apply and how much should I pay?
Ask LM-out@nice1.gr.jp for more info., then we will send you the guidance and the form.

* "Vols." are the numbers of international volunteers to be recruited.
For the projects with "#", applications should be sent to the co-organizing (hosting) NGOs.
* The period includes the dates of Preparation/ Evaluation Seminar.
* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form;
28/02, 28/03, 18/04, 16/05, 20/06, 11/07, 08/08, 12/09, 31/10, 05/12

ARCH: Archaeology
AGRI: Agriculture
ARTS: Arts
CONS: Construction
DISA: Disabled ("Challenged")
EDUC: Teaching, Awareness
ENVI: Environmental
ELDE: Work with Elderly
FEST: Festival
HERI: Cultural or Heritage
KIDS: Work with Kids
MANU: Manual
MEDI: Medical
PEACE: Peace
RELIEF: Disaster Relief
RENO: Restoration, Renovation
SOCI: Social
STUDY: Study, Research

* "Social" means work with disadvantaged people besides ELDE and DISA (e.g. Orphans, Refugees, Homeless) OR work with various types of such people with special needs.

 2-4) General Qualification;

a) Best motivation for the voluntary work (special good skills and power are not necessary)
b) Responsibility to keep rules of NICE & the partners and cooperation to run the projects
c) Best efforts to understand and respect cultures both of the hosts and other volunteers
d) Open mind to make friends with trying to speak English (in the groups) and the local language
e) To adapt and enjoy simple conditions of the living such as food and accommodation

Though it'd be very funny and dramatic time for you, if your motivation is only for enjoying
holidays, please don't apply and do just travel.  If it is more for voluntary service to make a
better world and friendship with local people and other volunteers, you are super welcome!!

 2-5) Detailed prooject Information (LMTI);

After the backgrounds (partners, aims and histories) of the projects;
W : Voluntary work
S : Study theme
A : Accommodation
L : Location
T : Terminal (The closest big international airport)
LA : Leisure Activities
SR : Special Remarks (if any)
PF : Participation Fees (if any)

* Number of volunteers = the number the host organization need at the same period.
* The period includes the dates of Preparation/ Evaluation Seminar.
* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form;
28/02, 28/03, 18/04, 16/05, 20/06, 11/07, 08/08, 12/09, 31/10, 05/12

NICE/LMTI-1B  Abukuma 2  (Fukushima)  21/03-09/06  AGRI, KIDS  2 vols .
NICE/LMTI-1C  Abukuma 3  (Fukushima)  16/05-05/08  AGRI, KIDS  2 vols .
NICE/LMTI-1D  Abukuma 4  (Fukushima)  13/06-06/09  AGRI, KIDS  2 vols .
Host organization is Abukuma Nature School Network (ANSN). Their theme is learning from soil and
nature, and live together! And to make it into practice, ANSN organizes many programs for ranging from kids to
adults such as a nature school, classrooms for farmers, foresters and organic farming groups, visiting local schools, 2 weeks
nature camps for kids, etc. They are hoping to make these programs more active and make better relationship between local
community and organization.
W: You will plan, prepare and organize the above events and programs with other staff members of ANSN.
You may do come agricultural and forest work in the land of ANSN that are also very important, as well as organize
some activities with the local elementary school and community.
A: Single room of the nature school. Cooked by vols. Pocket money is 20,000 yen per month.
L: Small village in the forest area, the population is about 5,000, surrounded by rich nature. The temperature in
the winter can be minus 5 to 10 though the inside buildings are warm enough!
T: Tokyo (2 and a half hours from Tokyo by bus)
LA: Participation in the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc.
SR: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host and live in the remote area with
a lot of nature, respect to the local custom and life, flexibility, friendliness, positive mind and those
who likes children. Experience of similar types of work is welcome!

NICE/LMTI-2B  Fukushima 2  (Fukushima)  21/03-09/06  EDUC, KIDS  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-2C  Fukushima 3  (Fukushima)  16/05-05/08  EDUC, KIDS  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-2D  Fukushima 4  (Fukushima)  13/06-06/09  EDUC, KIDS  2 vols.
The special non-profit organization Fuku-Kan-Net is a citizens' organization dedicated to deepening the understanding
of South Korea's language, culture, economy, and history. It also seeks to develop  mutual understanding and friendship
among Japanese and Korean through exchange activities. From now on we want to have international exchange not just
between Japan and Korea, but also between Japan and the West (Europe and America).
W: As a program that widens the international perspectives of the region's children, youth, and residents, we have special
courses about international understanding. By promoting international exchange through sports, we make opportunities
that are touched by foreign language and culture. We want to improve/update our current courses, and create new courses
and programs.
S: International Exchange
A: We have apartments and home-stays. Bedrooms are private rooms. Meals are independently cooked.
L:Fukushima City is the capital of the Fukushima prefecture, and the population is 290,000.
T:From Tokyo to Fukushima: 5 hours by bus.
LA: Participation in the local events; many opportunities to learn the culture of Japan and Korea.
SR: For Koreans, it is important to be able to speak very good Japanese (the common language is Japanese) and have a
strong motivation to work! For volunteers from another country, it is important to be able to speak some Japanese!

NICE/LMTI-3B  Hinode 2  (Tokyo)  21/03-09/06  SOCI, HERI  1 vol.
NICE/LMTI-3C  Hinode 3  (Tokyo)  16/05-05/08  SOCI, HERI  1 vol.
NICE/LMTI-3D  Hinode 4  (Tokyo)  13/06-06/06  SOCI, HERI  1 vol.
Host organization is Hinode Taiyo no Ie (HTI), home for mentally challenged, that was used to be isolated from
the local community since the locals were afraid & against to its construction in the late 80s. We have been creating a
"bridge" between locals & HTI by the workcamps through which the locals have met the challenged people and
removed prejudice step by step. They have Samurai house that is used for a training of vols. and a rental facility for
organization of conferences, gatherings, lodging etc.
W: You will advertise for groups to use Samurai house (updating the website, to make a brochure, etc.), coordinate
to host the groups, plan new hosting programs, assist other staff members to help the daily life and work
of the mentally disadvantaged people.
S: Management of welfare facilities, mixture between social welfare and ecology.
A: Single room of Samurai house (very traditional Japanese house!) where meals are often provided (No
vegetarian!). Pocket money is 30,000 yen per month
L: Mountain side with natural surroundings, about 50 km west of Tokyo.
T: Tokyo (90 min by local train)
LA: Participation in the seminar for volunteer coordinators, exchange with the local people, etc.
SR: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom
and life, flexibility, friendliness, positive mind and those who likes children and also creates new
activities. Experience of similar types of work is welcome!

NICE/LMTI-4B  Maki  (Nagano)  21/03-09/06  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-4C  Maki  (Nagano)  16/05-05/08  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-4D  Maki  (Nagano)  13/06-06/06  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
Host organization is Maki Farm of Kyodo Gakusha (KG). KG is a NPO running 5 organic farming
communities in Japan where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, those who want to
learn farming, etc. in order to change our society from competitive to cooperative. Maki Farm has 5-10 members and is
located in a very isolated area (nOhdaccessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains), so once it became an
abandon village in 1970s.
W: We will help their organic farming (weeding in rice and vegetable fields, planting vegetables, taking care of goats
and chicken, etc.) and also carry the things from the town, renovate the trails, help their house work, etc.
Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard.
A: Building for volunteers in the farm, cooking as a group by turn (Vegetarian is possible!)
L: Very isolated, but beautiful village near "Japanese Northern Alps". About 900 meters asl. There are something
remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization.
T: From Tokyo, 4 hours by express train or 8-10 hours by bus and train.
SR: Speaking good Japanese (common language will be Japanese), and strong motivation to work and
enjoy simple life in the isolated area and respect to the local culture and way of the local organization!
Skills of agriculture or construction can be useful!

NICE/LMTI-5B  Ikata 2  (Ehime)  21/03-09/06  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-5C  Ikata 3  (Ehime)  16/05-05/08  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-5D  Ikata 4  (Ehime)  13/06-06/09  AGRI, HERI  2 vols.
Host organization is Kikuya Community Group (KCG), formed by the local young people to think of the future of
their small village. Ikata is famous for its main industry of oranges farming, but has been facing depopulation, lack of
workers and ageing society since most of young people leave the town. So, the number of abandoned orange farms is
increasing and the town is losing its tradition, life, custom and scenery. KCG strongly hopes to host vols. to work together
to animate the town and revive the farms.
W: You will help orange farming (This is the main work!! Harvesting, taking care of trees, etc, depend on season!),
support local youth club (Taking care of elderly people etc), and create new activities to animate the
town.
A: Share room at the volunteers' house. Cooked by vols. Pocket money is 20,000 yen per month.
L: In the edge of Sata Peninsula, surrounded by the sea, so fishing is also famous. There are only 30 houses in this
community. The climate is relatively warm though it can be cold in winter.
T: Matsuyama. From Matsuyama, about 2 hours by train and bus
LA: Participation in the local events, exchange with the local groups, etc.
SR: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and
life, open mind and flexibility. Be ready that work is for quite a long time and hard.

NICE/LMTI-06  Nabari  (Mie)  12/07-30/09  ENVI  1 vol.
Host organization is 'Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai', a local environmental NPO, since 1998. In an area between
Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has
stopped them with the 'Woods Trust' movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect
the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…
W:We will do a variety of different work to care of the forest such as cutting trees, cutting branches, maintaining the
footpaths, etc… They organize some events(Ex. To collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in their Field. They
also open up new projects(apiculture, biomass energy etc.) We will help their activities.
S: Local participation to protect nature. Bring some info.!
A: The pension named 'Eco Resort Akame'.
L: About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. The climate in this season is relatively
cold; so don't forget to bring warm clothes.
T: Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both).
LA: Excursion, exchange parties, visiting schools, exchange with elderly people of the eco-resort, etc…
SR: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and
life, open mind and flexibility.

[New]

NICE/LMTI-7B  Ohda 2  (Shimane)  28/02-20/05  ENVI, SOCI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-7C  Ohda 3  (Shimane)  21/03-09/06  ENVI, SOCI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-7D  Ohda 4  (Shimane)  16/05-05/08  ENVI, SOCI  2 vols.
NICE/LMTI-7E  Ohda 5  (Shimane)  13/06-06/09  ENVI, SOCI  2 vols.
Organized together with the 'Organization of Green and Water' (founded in 1992) since 2011. This organization
was established to advocate for the importance of the prairie and forest in our ecosystem. They work around Iwami Ginzan,
a silver mine, which was registered as a World Heritage site in 2007. The organization wants to care for the forests and
prairies. It is important to continue to care for our forests after we have disrupted the ecosystem. Extension of bamboo
forests is a serious problem in Japan.
W: We will do various work to maintain and protect the forests such as cutting bamboos and grasses, burning
grasses, etc…Empowering NEET youth (Communication with them, they can get confidence by the experiences of
communicating foreign people, to talk, to do activities. )
S: Similar kinds of activities of forest care, protection and youth empowerment in each country. Bring some info.
A: The house named 'Yukimi-ru', it is the center of NEET youth members. Pocket money is 20,000 yen per month.
L: About 250 km northwest of Osaka. Near the Sea of Japan.
T: Osaka (9 hours by train). From Tokyo, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
LA: Visiting school, exchange parties, home stay.
SR: Interested in nature conservation

2-8) Detailed project Information (LMTW);

*NICE/LMTW programs, Preparation/ Evaluation Seminar are including the program in project site.

NICE/ST  Songkhla  (Thailand)  10/02-23/03  ENVI  13 vols. (4 int.)
This is the first time to organize together with SAWASDEE Thailand (ST). ST had started it activities in 2008. 
Young people are the most concerned about the way the world's environment is being destroyed. Through seminars and
work projects, the organizations raise the awareness of young people of the threats posed to the environment. At the same
time, they propose concrete alternatives for activities and pedagogical tools to disseminate the information. Each year,
many of the environmental groups are involved in working to protect the environment and to promote education and
environmental matters.
Khlongla sub district is the water conservation area of Songkhla province. It's the beginning of water for a million of
people.
W: The volunteer will work with local youth environmental club. In the living place, there are various works of volunteer
which you can work and learning together such as 1) Cleaning rivers, 2) Planting trees, 3) Protecting animals, 4) Creating
eco-villages, 5)repairing living area as assistant to set up eco-tourism trip.
A: Dormitory is provident, separate male and female. Shower room and Toilet in Thai Style, kitchen. Volunteers often cook
by turns and enjoy global tastes. Home stay, some time volunteers have to stay in the village with the villager or a house
of youth club member.
L: Songkhla . It's about half an hour away from HatYai, the biggest city of southern Thailand.
LA: Cultural exchange program. Participating in local festivals, events. Sightseeing, short trip (famous places in south
of Thailand)
SR: Members are 5 Japanese (Including camp leader), 4 Thai, 4 International vols. Interests in Environment and local
development. Interest in Thailand. Flexibility and cooperation are required.
PF : Participation Fees, 15,000 Bath (6 weeks) to ST.
?From the NGOs charging some fee in their LMTV projects to NICE vols. or having no LMTV projects to host NICE
vols.: Program fee of 10,000 yen per one month To be paid on their arrivals.