Follow-up and impact of the volunteering experience - transnational seminar

The main aim of the activity is to share approaches to implement a high-quality learning process within ESC Volunteering projects, in order to ensure a meaningful impact at different levels: volunteers, organisations, communities.

As written in the publication “Use your hands 2.0”, Young people who take part in Corps volunteering projects have an opportunity to travel, to learn about other cultures and learn new languages. They can gain a variety of new skills, both on personal and practical level. Perhaps most importantly, they have the possibility to help others and actively contribute to the local community. European Solidarity Corps projects give young people the chance to do something they can take pride in. They can help others, feel needed, and discover that they too have something to contribute to society.”

And more: "It is easy to imagine how young people can gain from volunteering projects, but organisations (both those who send/support the volunteers as well as those who host them) can also benefit from the experience. The Solidarity Corps can serve as a pedagogical tool to support the day to day work with young people. By taking part in Corps projects, organisations can offer their youngsters a new type of activity and a new level of challenge. The programme is a means to encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves and for their own communities. Corps volunteering projects are an investment in individuals but the impact of the experience goes far beyond the young people themselves; local youngsters, staff workers, families, and friends will all be impacted by the Solidarity Corps experience.”

Based on these aspects, the objectives of the seminar are:

- to strengthen capacity-building of organizations in raising volunteers’ awareness about their learning experience in ESC;

- to explore and exchange perspectives, approaches, and tools, such as critical thinking principles, on how to follow up with volunteers within the ESC projects, in order to highlight positive impact on their future.

The seminar is designed for professionals and practitioners active in accredited organisations implementing volunteering projects; representatives of organizations actively involved in the volunteers’ learning process (e.g. reference/contact persons of volunteering projects, reference persons for volunteers...) coming from the European Solidarity Corps Programme Countries.

Participants will reflect on the investment in a quality learning process, properly built for a volunteer, while carrying their projects in terms of qualitative and impactful learning activities and in terms of support provided to volunteers. Appropriate tools can help organisations to monitor the potential impact of volunteering projects and support the return of volunteers in their countries.

The seminar will explore the concept of learning through criticalk thinking and how volunteering can transform participants’ understanding of themselves, their belief systems, and influence their behavioral/lifestyle choices. We will also explore how these connections can have an overall impact on the hosting and sending organisations and community.

The seminar is funded by European Solidarity Corps.