Youth Organisation for Voluntary Activities

AUSTEJA is a non-governmental, nonprofit organisation for voluntary service, established in 1991 to spread, stimulate and support voluntary work, idea of peace and international mutual understanding and friendship.

During last years AUSTEJA organised and participated in several different activities eg. 7 international work camps in social and environmental fields. Last year the organisation started working with deaf and blind children in cooperation with society for people with hearing disabilities "Tyla". AUSTEJA has already cooperated with Special School in Panevezys for 4 years. This year volunteers have already started their service in this school and in the Day Centre for Disabled Youth in Panevezys. There was also a cycle of seminars for local NGOs aiming to promote voluntariness in Lithuania and spread the principles of voluntary service in the nonprofit organisations.

AUSTEJA is a member of East-West Working Group in the widespread network of voluntary organisations - SCI (Service Civil International) and cooperate with EastLinks, ICYE, CCIVS and many others.

AUSTEJA participates in the European Commission programme "Youth" and since 1999 in European Voluntary Service. Hosting organisations in Lithuania Austeja mostly work in the social field: work with children, the disadvantaged, elderly, orphans. Lithuanian volunteers are mostly interested in social and art projects. Interest in ecological issues can be noticed though quite weak, but it is expected to grow up in nearest future.