More information
Description
The project is necessary, as currently the potential of volunteering in Estonia is underused. Estonian NGO-s need good examples and know-how on integration of volunteers in their work. On the other hand, some volunteers are looking for micro-volunteering options. In addition, our project is necessary, as Nähtamatud Loomad have many plans for the future; succeeding in them won’t be possible without a well-organised system of integration of volunteers. The aim of the project is to strengthen the civic society, give civic education and enhance civic activity. We will build a thorough volunteer coordination system within Nähtamatud Loomad and share this expertise with other civic movements. We will be educating and empowering volunteers within our organization, so that they could take care of their well-being and comprehend the logic of directing societal processes. A secondary aim of this project is to popularize volunteering as a form of civic engagement.
The target audience of this project are current and future volunteers in Nähtamatud Loomad, alongside Estonian civic society as a whole. We aim to include currently under-represented groups, such as non-natives, males, senior citizens etc. In order to achieve these aims we will offer micro-volunteering opportunities, train volunteers in methods of effective activism, enacting social change, efficient time-management etc. With vis-à-vis media coverage of personal stories from our volunteers, we aim to popularize volunteering.
Summary of project results
The potential of volunteers in Estonia is underutilized. Estonian non-governmental organizations need good examples, knowledge and skills in order to involve volunteers more successfully than before. One of the aims of the project is to develop an effective system of coordination and involvement of volunteers in campaigns, that ultimately increases the number of volunteers and enhances the diversification of their composition during the course of the project. The latter means encouraging volunteering across all societal groups involved, including the marginalized, thereby strengthening Estonia''s civil society and providing these groups with the opportunity to participate as volunteers in guiding societal processes.
Nähtamatud Loomad (Invisible Animals) works towards an animal-friendly society which includes both awareness raising and campaigning as well as practical work to ensure the well-being of rescued animals.
The project commenced with the recruitment of a volunteer coordinator and a comprehensive analysis of the current state of volunteer involvement. The training process for the volunteer coordinator encompassed the exchange of expertise within the Anima International network, focusing on best practices in volunteer coordination. Furthermore, Invisible Animals conducted an ongoing assessment of volunteers'' needs throughout the project to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their recruitment and engagement within the organization.
The development of a mentoring system and a recognition mechanism for volunteers is still in progress. Part of it was the creation of a volunteer section on the organization’s website that has proven beneficial for recruitment: the section serves as a key resource for directing interested individuals and providing them with relevant information.
Six large-scale volunteer training sessions were held for existing and new recruits, complemented by smaller online training sessions and summer day training programs. The training sessions for volunteers covered topics such as effective communication, effective altruism, building confidence in soliciting donations, strategic thinking, self-leadership, organizational culture, and more. A total of 50 volunteers participated in these training sessions.
To keep volunteers motivated and engaged, other events took place during the project, for instance a successful cleanup day at Ranna Ranch, involving team members and families who registered via Facebook, also events celebrating Christmas and arrival of summer, engaging a total of 50 volunteers. The events focused on team-building exercises and a training program, while the Christmas events fostered connections through informal activities and games. Additionally, three well-being-themed training challenges provided volunteers with self-care insights and daily tasks to support their well-being.
To raise awareness on volunteering among the youth, a total of four presentations were conducted in general education schools. This was fewer than planned due to the COVID-19 outbreak during the project period, which led to school closures. Additionally, at the beginning of this year, when schools reopened, a large-scale Ukrainian rescue operation commenced, involving the majority of our volunteers.
Due to COVID-19, a planned charitable bake sale and the assembly of its organizing team were also canceled. However, these activities were replaced by the Ukrainian rescue project.
The Ukrainian rescue operation marked the organization’s largest-ever volunteer engagement. In collaboration with volunteers, two shipments of food aid were sent to animal shelters in Ukraine. Volunteers assisted in collecting, organizing, and transporting the food aid to the Ukrainian border. Additionally, refugees from Ukraine were brought to Estonia, along with 14 dogs and one cat.
The organization''s daily activities became closely tied to the rescued animals, who were quarantined and relocated to Võru. Volunteers played a crucial role by caring for the animals daily and organizing necessary supplies. Many volunteers were also actively involved in raising awareness about the war and the rescued animals.
All project initiatives contributed to the development and diversification of Project Promoter’s organizational culture, involving a broader spectrum of young people, men, older individuals, and speakers of various languages.
All activities carried out as part of the project have now been integrated into the recruitment process. The volunteer recruitment system has been designed to remain in continuous development, ensuring adaptability.
The recruitment posts on social media are now more targeted and effective, clearly defining who Invisible Animals is looking for. This approach helps them reach the right audience, whether it be young people, the older generation, men, or individuals who speak foreign languages.
Volunteers of Invisible Animals have also been involved in social decision-making processes. In June, a ban on fur animals’ farms was implemented in Estonia, which involved 20 permanent volunteers, some of whom communicated with parliamentary members and ministers. The team working on the pig welfare campaign has been actively engaging with the Agricultural and Food Board, while the team focusing on the welfare of chickens has been in discussions with the Minister of Rural Affairs regarding the confinement of farm animals in cages.