Project Overview
The VolunCITIZEN project is a crucial initiative designed to promote active citizenship, intercultural exchange, and social inclusion by engaging young people, immigrants, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in volunteer work. It addresses the challenges of social exclusion and inequality faced by immigrants and young people in the EU, particularly in the areas of education, training, and employment.
The overall aim of VolunCITIZEN is to facilitate volunteer work and increase its positive impact on social inclusion and integration. This project supports NGOs in their efforts to promote active citizenship and intercultural exchange, and contributes to the personal, social, and professional development of volunteers and the communities they serve.
Project Objectives
- Bridging Communities: Establish connections between immigrants seeking volunteer opportunities and local NGOs needing assistance, facilitating initial placements and ongoing support.
- Increase Awareness: Increase understanding of intercultural issues among local youth by involving young individuals in project activities and volunteer placements, promoting empathy and cross-cultural communication.
- Web Platform: Develop and maintain a user-friendly, accessible web platform serving as a central hub connecting NGOs with potential volunteers, providing resources like training materials, best practices, and success stories.
- Volunteering Videos: Produce a series of engaging and informative videos tailored to young audiences, highlighting the benefits of volunteering, showcasing diverse volunteer experiences, and encouraging participation in community service.
- Empower Partners: Equip NGOs with the skills and resources necessary to effectively manage diverse volunteer teams, fostering inclusive practices, and ensuring a positive and productive volunteer experience for all participants.
- Intercultural Exchange: Create structured opportunities for immigrants and local youth to interact, learn from each other, and build relationships through joint volunteer activities, workshops, and social events, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
Key Tools and Deliverables
Web Platform
The project develops a web platform to connect NGOs with volunteers and provide support and resources to both groups.
- Volunteer Opportunities: A searchable database connecting volunteers with local NGOs based on interests, skills, location, and availability.
- Volunteer Registration: Allows volunteers to create detailed profiles highlighting their skills, experience, interests, and availability to help NGOs find suitable matches.
- NGO Registration: Enables NGOs to create profiles showcasing their mission, volunteer opportunities, and organizational needs to attract and recruit volunteers.
- Communication Tools: Facilitates direct communication between volunteers and NGOs through messaging and scheduling tools to coordinate activities.
- Resources: A comprehensive library of resources, including guides, best practices, and support materials for both volunteers and NGOs to enhance their experience
Volunteering Videos
The project develops five high-quality volunteering videos that showcase the positive impact of volunteer work on social inclusion and integration.
- Introduction to Volunteering: Defines volunteering, its benefits, and how it fosters social inclusion and integration.
- Impact of Volunteering: Highlights the tangible positive outcomes of volunteer work, sharing volunteer and community testimonials.
- Volunteer Management: Provides NGOs with best practices for recruiting, training, supporting, and evaluating volunteers.
- Intercultural Communication: Emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness when working with diverse volunteers, including practical communication tips.
- Sustainability: Focuses on creating lasting volunteer programs with sustainable recruitment, management, and evaluation strategies.
