In the period of July 28 and August 5 our main focus was “Volunteering is Strength” training course within Erasmus+ that was organized in Split, Croatia. The main goal of this training course was to empower participants 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.
Training course was divided into three parts. In the first part participants had opportunity to meet each other. They were introduced to the Youthpass certificate and E+ programme in general. Later they talked about volunteering in general, the definition of it and what are the values of volunteering. Participants had also shared their volunteering background, what was their motivation and they told us their opinion why do people volunteer in general. In the end, participants developed and adjusted volunteer programs for their organizations. They explored and shared those examples to the whole group.
One of our participants, Irena Polic, has told us why this kind of activities are important for society.
„There are some things people just can’t learn in formal education system, so non formal education within erasmus + program in a form of Training Course can cemplement the missing “spots.” Team work, tolerance, intercultural awareness and language exchange are some of the benefits one can get in combination with theoretical and practical knowledge of some specific topic depending on individual interests. Sharing positive values and attitudes of EU can only leave a positove trace within any society.“ – said Irena
One of the objectives of this training course were 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 and to to raise awareness of the importance of volunteering for individuals and development quality volunteer management
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. That’s the main reason we created this training course.
