Description
Aim of the project is to develop a systematic approach towards strategic volunteerism management in Latvia, promoting civic participation and integration of socially disadvantaged people and to strengthen capacity and long-term sustainability of non-governmental organizations. Target audience is children, youth, unemployed people, seniors, people with low or inadequate skills for labour market, as well as NGOs. Project will cover whole Latvia together with partners from Community Foundation Movement and Estonian partners “Teeme” from Viljandi. The target audience will be reached easier via the new IT volunteerism platform DEEDin. It is developed by Valmiera Region Community Foundation to encourage direct and indirect collaboration between NGOs and volunteers, as well as for personal growth and skills development of volunteers. State Employment Agency will be another channel to reach unemployed people to encourage them using voluntary work to develop new practical and social skills. Other activities include: Charity School in 7 Latvian regions, NGO forums and trainings about volunteer management etc.
Summary of project results
Aim of this diverse project was to develop systematic approach towards volunteerism management in Latvia and, thus, to promote civic participation and integration of socially disadvantaged people and to strengthen capacity and long-term sustainability of nongovernmental organizations. The target group was the social exclusion and poverty and at risk population (5950), including: 2601 children, 1533 young people, 150 senior citizens (retirees and pre-retirement age people), 400 unemployed, 1266 other people (parents, school staff). As well as NGOs (120) representing the above groups of people's rights and interests, including: 85 members, 51 staff and 115 volunteers. The project achieved the following results: Portal DEEDin is updated with new features. Internet platform translated into Estonian, expanded platform encircled territory and facilitated the use of Estonian users. There has been a charity school 28 Latvian schools, voluntary work involving more than 4,000 children and young people and more than 1,000 teachers, technical staff and parents.Topped methodological guide for the students’ opportunities to gain skills in voluntary work (including working methods of the teachers).Issued a booklet of 10 000 copies of the unemployed and distributed throughout the Latvian.Published 12 video stories on television "LNT" of volunteering positive examples Latvian.Happened forum with 73 participants about volunteer management, including examples of motivational stories in different areas. New skills for working with volunteers gained 53 employees (person responsible), 26 non-governmental organizations. Unfortunately, at the last moment before the training, some people refused membership. The whole project has been a success and has given a solid contribution to the field of volunteering. That's why the biggest investment project was directed directly to NGOs throughout the Latvian. Both the training and forums, both volunteer and month DEEDin platform development and clarification of the organizations was a great way to increase the capacity of NGOs. New volunteer involvement extends public participation in the various processes, thus enhancing people's participation in national and community development. In turn, Charity School was still full participants themselves formed - young people together with their teachers decided what measures to implement voluntary work/ perform.
Summary of bilateral results