MCE (Mongolian workCamps Exchange)
 

What is MCE? 

• NGO/ NPO to organize workcamps and other voluntary projects in Mongolia
• Full member of NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia)
• Partner of ALLIANCE, SCI

 
1)Brief History 
When: MCE was established on January 11th, 2001 by an individual who had participated in the 3rd Training & Networking Workcamp of NVDA in Vietnam.
Why: Before 2000, there were no workcamp organizations or international voluntary service in Mongolia. However, there was much need for international voluntary projects to improve a Mongolian society. Through practical work projects, MCE hopes to encourage public awareness of Mongolia’s social problems and promote local actions.
 
2) Aims 
a)To create/ develop/ revive ecological, self sufficient and warm-hearted civilization.
We promote exciting voluntary actions by fresh ideas and mobility as a youth NPO, to shift the world with too much competition and expansion into more healthy one for both nature and people.
b) To encourage activities of NGO/NPOs and activation of local communities
We create opportunities to meet new people and to start new actions by involving many locals. We make bridges between isolated NPOs and local people, and invite youth to depopulated areas.
c) To promote global friendship, understanding and solidarity
We grow exchange naturally among world youth and local people through living, working, talking and laughing together.  They can improve global views/ sensitivity and language/ planning skills.
 
3) Activities 
a)To organize international workcamps in Mongolia with local partners and people
b) To send volunteers from Mongolia to workcamps
c) To develop various networks of NGO/NPOs
d) Promotion of NVDA common actions in the national and international level
 
4) workCamps & volunteers 
In 2013: 24 projects- 267 International vols & 29 Mongolian vols
In 2014: 22 projects- 272 International vols & 31 Mongolian vols
In 2015: 22 projects- 266 International vols & 24 Mongolian vols
In 2016: 20 projects- 251 International vols & 15 Mongolian vols
5) Finance
a) We don’t have any support from Mongolian Government and other International organizations. Running cost of MCE (staffs, offices, transportation, communication etc.) is  managed by the participation fees of volunteers who join workCamps in Mongolia.
b) Project cost (food, accommodation, transportation etc.) of international workcamps in Mongolia is prepared by the fees from volunteers too.
 
Mongolian workCamps Exchange is always looking for good relations between
youth organizations in the international and regional level
 
International workcamps by MCE
 
1) Introduction 
We welcome you to join our workcamps, sharing happy time and creating fresh new age together! All campsites have nice nature, blue sky and warm people, so you will discover nomadic life & culture of Mongolia.
The common points of all workcamps are such as follows;

a) Age limit       : From 18 (No maximum)
b) Language     : English (Mongolian is not necessary, but we welcome your trying!)
c) Insurance     : We provide small insurance only for accidents during workcamps in
                            MONGOLIA. 
d) Accommodations: Mostly, we use  GER (Mongolian traditional tent) or Summer cottage.
                            For all the projects in Ulaanbaatar volunteers will stay at apartment.
                            There’re kitchen and toilet. For the all workcamps in Mongolia volunteers    
                            need to bring Sleeping bag.
e) Study Part    : All workcamps have it to learn, discuss and plan better local/ global future!

 
2) How to apply and join the projects!? 
A: Applying through the partners!!
Volunteers have to apply not directly to us, but through our partner Workcamp Organizations (WOs) of their own countries unless you live in Mongolia or in countries that have no partners.
In this exceptional case, they need to send the application form to MCE.
 
B: How much should volunteers pay?
Volunteers have to pay the travel cost to/ from workcamps & the following registration & participation fee to partners &  to

MCE.
a)Partner WO’s charging some registration fee from sending volunteers : This depends of each partner *

b)Participation fee to MCE

(2 weeks project) : 250 USD  per a workcamp (or equivalent of MNT or Euro)
For all the workcamps in Mongolia, we will manage pick up service by request of volunteers from/to airport or train station.  
Also we will provide free transportation to/from workcamp site for the first and last day of the workcamp. 

* Most of Asian/ European/ North American partners are
 
C: The detailed information of the project
By 1-2 months before the projects, volunteers will receive ”Information Sheets” (details of  the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.) together with “Acceptance Letter” and “MCE Volunteers’ Guide”, through the partner organizations.
 
D: Book the flights as soon as being accepted!
Don’t wait for the Information Sheets, otherwise you may miss economical flights!
Workcamps start in the morning of the first day.  And they finish in the afternoon of the last day.
So, we advise volunteers to arrive / leave Mongolia at least a day before/ after the projects because volunteers should not expect so much sightseeing during the projects.
(if you want to do it, please do it before/ after the workcamps!)
And it is possible to stay in the cheap guest houses (around 10$ per night) together with volunteers in the same workcamp before/ after the workcamps! (For the details, please wait for the info.sheets!)