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Description
The project "Platform for development of school volunteering" aims to systematize the long-term practice and efforts of LDA Sisak and educational institutions in the Sisak-Moslavina County for the development of school volunteer clubs through the establishment of the Platform. The platform consists of schools in which volunteer clubs exist and those schools that are interested in developing this type of extracurricular activities. The need for synergy work and joining different competencies and knowledge through collaborative learning and cooperation between the two sectors (educational and civil) has been recognised through the continuous implementation of previous activities of project partnership and educational institutions. The platform is a place for exchange, innovation, capacity building, new projects, tailored professional development of teachers in the field of participatory democracy (human rights, civic activism, social justice, social inclusion, interculturality and similar topics of civic engagement) through very specific activities in schools and communities. The backbone of the work of the school Volunteer Club is the collaborative (co-creative) work of teachers and students in detecting the needs and problems in the community, finding the best solutions and implementing concrete actions. The volunteer club will be developed at the Vocational School Sisak in which that innovative methods and approaches designed through the platform will be tested. The development of active youth citizenship is necessary for the development of civil, social and economic cohesion and the strengthening of civic awareness in the county, which is burdened by long-term neglect and recent crises (earthquakes, pandemics).
Summary of project results
The project "Platform for the Development of School Volunteering" aimed to address several key challenges. One of the main issues was the lack of focus on civic activism and intercultural topics within the formal education system in the Sisak-Moslavina County, as revealed by previous research among teachers and students. The project recognized that students involved in school volunteering demonstrated a better understanding and higher engagement in both their studies and the community.
The project sought to establish a platform that would support schools in the region by enhancing their capacity to offer practical, engaging content on topics like active citizenship, social justice, and social inclusion. The platform brought together schools that already had volunteer clubs and those that wanted to develop this type of extracurricular activity. The core of these clubs was a collaborative process between teachers and students to identify community needs, find solutions, and carry out volunteer activities. Through these efforts, students gained practical experience in active citizenship and developed life skills that would benefit them in the future.
This focus on youth civic engagement was seen as crucial for fostering social, civil, and economic cohesion in a county struggling with long-term neglect and recovery from earthquakes.
The project focused on building a framework for school-based volunteer programs in Sisak-Moslavina County. It aimed to foster civic education, promote social justice, and support the inclusion of vulnerable groups through research, capacity building, and advocacy efforts.
At the beginning, a research was conducted by the Forum for Freedom in Education (FFE), a croatian CSO experienced in the field of harmonising the educational system in Croatia with the educational standards of modern democratic societies. During the research phase, the FFE developed a methodology and conducted focus groups with students and educators to identify best practices and challenges related to volunteering and civic education. This research resulted in a comprehensive report, which included visual summaries. The findings were shared with schools across the county and used for advocacy purposes.
Following the research, for the purpose of beneficiary capacity-building the project formed a network of schools to establish the volunteer platform. The network eventually expanded to include eight schools. Teachers were trained on topics like diversity, discrimination, solidarity, and social justice, and seven volunteer activities were organized. The project also developed educational resources, including a manual on volunteer management and social justice education, drawing from Norwegian practices.
A key milestone of the project was the formation of a volunteer club at Sisak Vocational School. A team of educators and students was trained to lead the initiative. After assessing the school’s needs, two volunteer programs were developed and approved by the school board, with one incorporated into the school curriculum. The volunteer club, which officially launched with a public event, recruited 25 students and went on to organize seven volunteer activities. These activities focused on supporting vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children with disabilities, exceeding the original goal of six activities.
The impact of these volunteer activities on students’ development was measured through surveys and focus groups. Results showed that participation in volunteering had a positive effect on students’ civic engagement and personal growth. The project shared its findings with other communities across Croatia, promoting the benefits of school volunteering as a means of fostering active citizenship and inclusion.
The advocacy efforts involved meetings with local authorities and educational institutions to promote school volunteering. The project pushed for the creation of local volunteer awards and encouraged broader implementation of its volunteer program at the national level. Promising discussions were held with the Ministry of Education regarding this initiative.
In addition to the volunteer initiatives, the project also focused on strengthening the organizational capacity of ALD Sisak through various training sessions. Staff members received training on social media, resulting in the creation of Instagram and YouTube profiles. A video production workshop led to the creation of a promotional video for ALD Sisak. Photography and editing training helped participants improve their skills in documenting and promoting organizational activities. Marketing strategy training enabled the development of a comprehensive strategy for the period from 2023 to 2027.
Leadership and team management training introduced the OK2015 management system, which led to a restructuring of job roles and the hiring of 16 new staff members. Financial management training equipped the finance manager with new bookkeeping skills, further strengthening the organization’s capacity.
The project also involved participation in the Networking European Civic Education (NECE) conference, where staff from the partner organization Human Rights House Zagreb engaged with European civic education trends and networks. This exposure to broader practices helped enhance the project’s approach to civic education and volunteering.
The project achieved significant results for both students and teachers, fostering a deeper understanding and practice of social justice through volunteering.
The informal platform for school volunteering created within the project has become a vital support for schools and organizations involved in the development of school volunteering. This platform, the first in Croatia to address social justice through volunteering, established a work plan and structure, allowing for continued education, the development of new community initiatives, and advocacy for change. The platform brought teachers and students together to address social justice topics, challenging traditional stereotypes and encouraging new approaches to solving problems in their communities.
Teachers involved in the project faced challenges in recognizing and applying social justice concepts in daily life, but the educational activities helped them overcome these barriers. Through exchanges and self-reflection within the platform, they developed new ideas for school volunteering, moving beyond conventional solutions. On the other hand, students, especially those involved in volunteer activities, intuitively grasped social justice, demonstrating empathy and a strong desire to be involved in solving community issues.
The project had a profound impact on students, particularly at Sisak Vocational School, where a volunteer club was established. Students played a key role in setting up the club, from creating its logo to developing volunteer programs for the school. Their involvement in volunteer activities significantly improved their civic, personal, and social competencies, as well as their ability to learn how to learn. These students are now one step closer to becoming active citizens who create positive changes in their communities.
In addition to the platform and volunteer club, the project conducted the first-ever research on best practices and needs in volunteering and civic education in Sisak-Moslavina County. The findings provided valuable insights into young people''s understanding of social justice and their interest in volunteer activities. This research offers recommendations for decision-makers and serves as a foundation for future cooperation between schools and organizations, with potential benefits for stakeholders across Croatia.
The project also produced a handbook on social justice and school volunteering, featuring lesson plans designed to teach students about social justice through volunteer actions. This resource is available to educators and others working with young people, contributing to the field of education on social justice.
Both teachers and students gained important skills and insights. Teachers strengthened their competencies in civic education, especially in areas where the formal education system does not offer training. They learned practical methods for teaching social justice, tested new lesson plans through volunteer activities, and contributed to the development of new educational materials. Their work led to changes in school curricula, as seen in the two volunteer programs implemented at Sisak Vocational School. Students, in turn, experienced participatory planning and became aware of social justice issues that affect both their lives and their communities. Through their involvement in volunteer actions, they developed a better understanding of vulnerable groups and learned how small contributions can lead to meaningful change.
The project also included advocacy efforts with local and national authorities, highlighting school volunteering as a relevant topic and promoting its importance beyond simple, short-term activities. These efforts paved the way for potential recognition of school volunteer coordinators and broader implementation of the platform across Croatia.
Summary of bilateral results
The project greatly benefited from its partnership with Norsensus Mediaforum from Norway, whose role was crucial in transferring Norwegian practices and supporting the development of the Platform as a learning hub for social justice through student volunteering.Norsensus Mediaforum contributed in several key ways. They provided insights into Norwegian civic education practices during platform meetings and authored a text detailing the historical development and current state of civic education and volunteering in Norway, including examples of good practices. They also assisted in creating content and structuring the platform’s website, participated in partner meetings to jointly monitor project implementation, and oversaw activity execution and budget management.The collaboration proved mutually beneficial. The project enhanced cooperation through the exchange of experiences and practices, which helped both partners learn from each other. For ALD Sisak, this partnership was particularly valuable as it expanded their international network and offered strategic insights into Norwegian approaches to civic education and volunteering. The experience provided new perspectives on integrating volunteering into education, which can be applied in other international projects.For Norsensus Mediaforum, the partnership helped them better understand the work of organizations in Croatia and provided insights into volunteering within a different cultural context. This knowledge has been useful for their other international projects in countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Greece.Although ALD Sisak and Norsensus Mediaforum planned to apply for bilateral partnership projects through the Active Citizens Fund, they were unable to submit an application due to time constraints. However, they have agreed to continue their collaboration, which will involve further meetings and the joint development of new content and services related to the project''s themes.