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Description
Based on the analysis carried out by Project Bag Association, rural areas in Ciuc Basin have insufficient volunteer services, which leads to a low level of participation of citizens in the local community life. On the other hand, many NGOs face difficulties in attracting human and financial capital. Young people are discouraged by the idea of volunteering due to a lack of clear and transparent information and communication about volunteering opportunities in the area. Thus, the project aims to increase the visibility of NGOs in the target area by creating an online platform (available to NGOs, citizens and companies) to facilitate the creation of partnerships between NGOs, to strengthen their role as a catalyst for active citizenship and to increase their capacity to attract human and financial capital. The expected outcome of the project will be a better promotion of volunteering opportunities and civic activism among young people. Promoting volunteering will be an important component in jointly finding and implementing various solutions that address community problems, including combating the effects of climate change. Another outcome will be to reduce the bureaucratic burden for NGOs by providing a set of standard documents needed for their daily work. Up to 1,500 youth aged 14-19 and 100 -150 under 35, volunteers, employees, members of 30-40 NGOs will benefit from the project. As partners, Green Szeklerland Association brings to this project more than 15 years of experience in the field of environmental education and VOX Iuventutis Associations brings more than 10 years of experience in volunteer management and is responsible for promoting the ''''professional volunteering'''' model.
Summary of project results
The VolONG project addressed the lack of volunteer opportunities and low civic activism in rural areas of the Ciuc Basin, as well as the challenges faced by NGOs in attracting resources.
The project included the development of a database of active NGOs in the area, forming the foundation of the VolONG platform to facilitate access to information and volunteering opportunities. Available at https://projectbag.org/ong/, it registered 119 NGOs. These results serve as a source of inspiration for those looking to volunteer, increase the visibility of NGOs, and provide a resource for local business communities seeking to engage in community life. Bureaucratic pressure was reduced by providing professional documents and free legal consultation. The project team implemented a communication and awareness strategy, along with a panel organized with experts from various fields. In the advocacy campaign to promote volunteering and youth inclusion in civic life, 63 NGOs from 17 localities were involved, fostering regional cooperation.
Volunteering and civic activism, including efforts to combat the effects of climate change, were promoted in 17 schools, educating 412 students. The youth completed a questionnaire on civic topics, with the results published on websites, social media pages, and shared with local press. The project beneficiaries included 412 young people, 63 NGOs, the project team, and partners who enhanced their organizational capacity through courses. On a macro level, VolONG will benefit society and serve as a model for other areas.