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Description
In Estonia, the potential of volunteers is underutilized. Estonian NGOs need good examples, knowledge and skills to involve volunteers more successfully than before. On the other hand, many volunteers are looking for short-term opportunities to contribute. Invisible Animals has many plans for the future and new campaign directions; the continuation of the existing system in the field of volunteer coordination and involvement is a prerequisite for the success of these campaign directions. Therefore, the aim of the project is to strengthen civil society, promote civic awareness and increase civic engagement, by the application of these new directions. We are updating the well-thought-out system of coordination and involvement of volunteers in Invisible Animals and sharing the experience of our volunteers with Estonian students. We empower and train both the organization''s current volunteers and those recruited during the project period, so that they can have a say in policy-making, take care of their own well-being as a volunteer, and understand the possibilities of directing social processes. This is how we contribute to the sustainability and capacity of Estonian civil society. We also aim to popularize volunteering as a form of civic initiative. Therefore, the target groups of the project are current and potential volunteers of Invisible Animals and Estonian students. We also include hitherto under-involved groups such as youth, men, the elderly, families and non-speaking residents. To achieve these goals, we offer the Estonian people the opportunity of micro and periodic volunteering. We train volunteers on effective activism, implementation of social change, effective use of time, etc. By covering volunteer portrait stories in the media and social media and by introducing Estonian students to opportunities in the field of volunteering, we encourage Estonian people to contribute as volunteers and empower civil society at large.
Summary of project results
The project was essential for promoting volunteer work and strengthening Estonia’s civil society. The aim was to enhance the systems of volunteer recruitment, engagement, and community building at Nähtamatud Loomad. While the organization had grown strong over the years, its volunteer systems were in need of renewal. A more efficient approach was required to recruit, involve, and train new volunteers quickly and effectively. The project provided the necessary boost to improve these systems, enabling the organization to continue working toward its important goals.
The project activities included a series of events and initiatives focused on improving volunteer management. Over the course of the year, significant progress was made in volunteer recruitment, involvement, and team management systems. The project facilitated four large-scale trainings, five online team events, and the creation of volunteer profiles shared on the organization’s website and social media. These efforts were aimed at fostering better collaboration among team members and ensuring volunteers were well-equipped to support the organization''s mission of animal welfare. New volunteer handbooks and updated training materials were also created to streamline future volunteer engagement.
As a result, Nähtamatud Loomad made substantial strides in increasing its volunteer capacity. The project resulted in 46 new volunteer applications, 25 new recruits, and a notable improvement in team collaboration. Thanks to the support of a paid volunteer coordinator, the organization was able to recruit volunteers more intensively and efficiently. With the new systems in place, team members became more aligned in their approach, improving their ability to work toward the organization’s goals. The project also contributed to the long-term sustainability of Nähtamatud Loomad by ensuring that materials, such as team calls, were recorded and accessible for future reference, enriching the collective knowledge of the organization.