Long-term EVS project (6 month) from the 01. of September 2016 until the 28. of February 2017. Venue of the project – Yoshkar-Ola, Republic of Mari El (Russian Federation) Number of volunteers – 1 volunteer from Germany Titel of the project: Bridge of friendship The project realizes on the base of the Regional youth public organization of Mari El Republic "OPORA". The aim of organization’s work is to assist in development of civil society, local communities and institutions and to support initiatives in the sphere of state youth policy. OPORA promotes volunteering and international youth exchanges and create courses, seminars, camps and other activities using non-formal methods of education. The main objectives of the EVS project are: - To promote international voluntary service, especially EVS and “Erasmus+” program and raise awareness about voluntary movements in general.- To give the volunteer opportunity to participate on various projects of our organization and through that gain new competences and skills in the field of regional cultural development and promotion of volunteering.- To use international and intercultural dimension of the project for breaking of stereotypes and support of positive feelings about cultural diverse environment (meetings with youth, presentations about own culture in libraries, schools, universities etc.) - Cooperation with the Youth Palace in order to provide both institutional and volunteer’s enriching experience. This could be reached through following mutual projects, aimed at finding new ways of community promotion, using volunteer’s cultural background as well as various experiences, gained from participation in urban events.-Socialization of children with challanging background through activities that promote healthy lifestyle and environmental education.- running workshops for kids in the field of environmental education.