Volunteering programme
Since 2018, Kaunas 2022 Volunteering Programme has brought together people who love the city and are committed to the project. They have contributed to the implementation of more than 1500 cultural initiatives and events. The volunteers of the project have been called the Culturists because their energy and cultural muscles have lifted the city’s culture to a higher level. Everyone could become a volunteer – there were no requirements for age, special skills or knowledge.
Volunteering programme in figures:
Kaunas 2022 volunteers
volunteer team leaders trained
hospitality volunteers trained
accessibility volunteers trained
Programme structure
The aim of the programme was to create a fabulous volunteer journey in the project, give everyone the opportunity of growing and finding the like-minded people. The programme consisted of the following parts accessible to all volunteers:
• Introductory meetings
• Training on the city and its culture
• Team building meetings
• Intensive training on leadership, hospitality, accessibility
• Motivational support tools
events to which volunteers contributed
hours contributed by volunteers in 2022
volunteers engaged at the opening event
The objectives of the volunteering programme project "Experience Kaunas":
• Revealing the unobvious beauty and stories of Kaunas
• Providing guests with a unique experience of the city
• Creating non-traditional ways to get to know the city’s culture and the “Kaunas 2022” programme
Culture host
During the year of the European Capital of Culture, we have recruited and trained a team of 28 volunteers who love the city and know it well, ready to show visitors around the city through the eyes of a local for free. We called them Culture hosts.
They voluntarily and independently delved into the city’s history, searched for the uniqueness of Kaunas and created tours on unconventional topics such as:
• Personalities of Žaliakalnis between the wars;
• Vilijampolė Jewish Ghetto;
• Kauno Forts;
• Fluxus Kaunas;
• Kaunas House of Prayer;
• Kaunas Stairs;
• Kaunas House of Culture;
• Kaunas through the eyes of children;
• Curiosities of the Nemunas riverside;
• The most interesting secrets of Kaunas city centre;
• History of cinema in Laisvės alėja, etc.
In 2022, 1285 Kaunas residents and visitors used the services of Culture Hosts.
22 tours were conducted by Culture Hosts for official delegations and journalists of Kaunas 2022 guests.
The activities of the Culture Hosts of the Kaunas 2022 volunteering program are now coordinated by Kaunas IN.
Bed & Culture
Bed & Culture project offered a time-travelling experience of Kaunas. Guests could book an overnight stay in one of 3 themed apartments, where they could explore different periods of Kaunas history. The apartments featured not only authentic interiors, but also a wealth of period details, objects, smells and tastes.
In 2022, 562 Kaunas citizens and visitors used the services of the Bed & Culture.
Culture ride
For guests with little time but a great desire to get to know Kaunas in more detail, we offered a private car tour with an interesting Kaunas personality. The chauffeurs included 7 artists, architects, photographers and cultural experts.
In 2022, 184 Kaunas citizens and visitors used the services of the Culture ride.