Training Course "Volunteering is Strength”

Volunteering is a strength, as volunteering benefits individuals, groups and organisations, and our local communities. So, not only for NGOs that rely on volunteers to implement their programmes and activities, but volunteering is a strength for volunteers, as it has benefits: volunteering builds community, ends loneliness and increases socialization, builds bonds, creates friends, improves self-esteem, improves school and college experience and provides better job prospects. For these reasons, it is essential that our NGOs prepare and provide quality and meaningful volunteering experiences. To that end, we created this Training Course to empower our members, employees, youth workers, and decision-makers in our organizations to better understand the values and principles of volunteering, as well as the various motivations that compel people to volunteer and the various pieces of the volunteer management puzzle.

How will the TC look like?

The whole programme of the TC is based on non-formal education and learning by doing methods. The first part (3 working days) of the TC will serve as some kind of ice-breaker and will enable participants to meet each other, get introduced to the Youthpass certificate and E+ programme, to create their own and group learning expectations, observe possible challenges and obstacles they might face during the activity, but also their contributions to the TC topics, share realities about their volunteering background and finally to examine the principles and values of volunteering. The second part will be more focused on the TC activity’s general topic: volunteer management puzzle, exploring the needs of the organisation, how to design a quality volunteer programme, how to attract and train volunteers, and also how to support and retain volunteers. Throughout the process, participants will develop and adjust volunteer programs for their respective organizations. In the final part, participants will explore and share examples of good practice.

Aim and objectives of the TC

The main aim of this training course is to develop youth workers’/participants’ competences in sustainable and holistic work (management, support, evaluation and recognition) with volunteers that are or will be engaged in our programmes/activities.

Objectives of the training course:
•    To raise awareness of the importance of volunteering for individuals and development quality volunteer management
•    To exchange what are volunteering background and situation in each participating country
•    To introduce participants to the concept of volunteers rights and responsibilities
•    To provide information about and practice developing all elements of the volunteer management puzzle
•    To explore what are basic steps to do before engaging volunteers in the organization/project
•    To emphasis the importance of providing individual mentoring, coaching and support to volunteers and empower participants for these roles
•    To share challenges in their work and possible solutions for these situations, and to share examples of good practice
•    To set goals and commitment for developing the volunteer management puzzle when they get home.

Preparation and follow-up of the TC

For the preparation of the activity, participants need to assess:
o    how topics of volunteering were dealt with so far in their local communities (how youth and the general public perceive volunteering); 
o    which problems and challenges organisations and communities are facing when organizing volunteer activities; 
o    what are the realities of volunteering in our communities and countries, how many young people are volunteering and in which kind of activities, etc.

Follow-up: 
o    Participants from each country should organise 1 multiplication meetings/workshops after they return home from the TC, where they will share gained knowledge, information and competences to other youth workers and volunteers. These meetings can be organised as online events. 

COVID-19 INFORMATION:  The organisers will follow the development of the ongoing pandemic and communicate all necessary information. The health and safety recommendations will be implemented: masks will be used when needed and necessary sanitising equipment will be provided.  Costs of tests will be covered by organisers (receipts required!). 
More information will be provided to the selected participants.