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Description
Through the project "The strongest link-volunteer for yourself, volunteer for others" Association "MI" and "ZvoniMir" will strengthen the capacity of 10 teachers of partner schools (Wallner Private High School and „Kralj Zvonimir“ Knin technical school) for implementation of school volunteer program (SO1). Teachers will be trained in Volunteer Program Management (Ac.1) and acquire skills in developing sustainable volunteer programs (VP) in their schools (Ac.2).
We will also empower 30 of their students for active participation in the community (SO2). We will include them in the School of Activism and Volunteering – SAV (Ac.3), an innovative method with which we will develop their ability to think critically about the needs of the community and encourage the development of their civic and social competencies. Through the organization of 2 activist campaigns and 2 volunteer activities (Ac.4), we will develop their organizational, communication and teamwork skills. They will break their habit of prejudice (especially important for vocational schools and in the multiethnic environment of Knin) and develop an understanding of diversity, inclusion and intergenerational cooperation. Through a joint meeting (Ac.5) which will be a form of rewarding and motivating, students of the two schools will exchange their experiences. On the other hand, by visiting the examples of good practice (Ak.6), teachers will develop ideas for implementation of their VP.
Through the regional and local volunteer center programs MI and ZvoniMir will continue to implement SAV in other schools and mentor partner schools in the implementation of VP after the project is finished, and various professional conferences will be an opportunity for them to promote their VP.
Summary of project results
The project "The strongest link – volunteer for yourself, volunteer for others" aimed to address several challenges faced by the communities of Knin and Split, Croatia. It sought to tackle the low involvement of high schools in organizing volunteer activities, the often superficial implementation of civic education topics, particularly in vocational schools, and the general lack of recognition of the benefits of volunteering in society. These issues contributed to the insufficient engagement of young people in community volunteer activities.
The project’s goal was to promote and develop school volunteering and youth activism in Split and Knin. It focused on establishing volunteer programs in two vocational high schools and highlighting the benefits of volunteering for students. This included empowering students through a five-day training program called "Little School of Activism and Volunteering," involving them in activist campaigns and volunteer actions, and facilitating experience exchange and learning from best practices.
Additionally, the project aimed to strengthen the capacities of teachers and other staff at the participating schools. This was achieved by providing training in volunteer program management, developing school volunteer programs, mentoring students in volunteer actions and campaigns, and organizing study visits to learn from successful examples.
The project undertook a range of activities aimed at enhancing school volunteering and youth activism.
Initially, the project included a three-day online training on "Managing Volunteer Programs in Educational Institutions," which was conducted in November 2022. This training, provided by the Association “MI” – Split in collaboration with the ZvoniMir Association and featuring a guest lecture, equipped 12 teachers and staff from the participating schools with essential knowledge about volunteer program management, legal aspects, and best practices. The focus was on developing sustainable volunteer programs and planning activities for school volunteer clubs.
Following this, the project worked on creating school volunteer programs. The staff from Private Secondary School Wallner in Split and Secondary Vocational School of King Zvonimir in Knin were mentored to develop effective and sustainable programs for the 2023/2024 school year. These programs were finalized in June 2023 to support planning for the upcoming school year.
The project also organized a four-day "Little School of Activism and Volunteering". This initiative engaged 45 students from both partner schools in workshops covering various aspects of volunteering and activism. These workshops aimed to develop students'' knowledge and skills related to community involvement and planning volunteer and activist campaigns.
As part of the campaign and action organization activity, 36 volunteers from Knin and Split contributed 307 volunteer hours. In Split, students participated in intergenerational activities with the elderly and organized a fundraising campaign for a local animal shelter. In Knin, students took part in activities such as grooming elderly residents and cleaning up their school grounds, as well as an environmental campaign to paint and plant trees.
The project also included a student exchange event, which served both as a reward and a motivational activity. Students visited a farm and an association, learning about animal therapy and volunteer programs. They also created presentations and videos about their experiences.
Finally, the project featured a two-day study visit to Zagreb, where participants visited successful examples of school volunteer programs. This visit aimed to inspire and motivate volunteer coordinators from the partner schools by showcasing effective practices in managing and implementing volunteer programs.
In terms of organizational development, the project enhanced the digital marketing skills of eight staff members from the partner organizations through a three-day training. This training covered social media strategy, content creation, and campaign management. Additionally, a three-day workshop improved the public communication skills of six staff members, focusing on self-presentation, body language, and various public relations techniques.
The project achieved significant benefits for all involved, including students, teachers, partner organizations, and the wider community.
The students from the participating schools gained substantial knowledge and motivation through workshops on volunteering. They became more active in their communities by organizing and participating in volunteer actions and campaigns, and by promoting the benefits of volunteering among their peers. This increased awareness highlighted the importance of individual contributions to community development and demonstrated that volunteers can drive positive change.
In Knin, the project facilitated collaboration between different ethnic groups in a diverse environment, fostering new interactions that might not have occurred otherwise. This exposure to volunteering is expected to become a lasting habit for many students, with some already seeking further volunteer opportunities outside of school, reflecting a growing civic awareness.
Teachers and staff from the partner schools also benefited from the project. They enhanced their skills in designing and implementing school volunteer programs and integrated these programs into their curricula. They also received additional motivation and practical insights from a study visit to successful examples of volunteer programs in Zagreb, which will aid in continuing these efforts beyond the project’s conclusion.
The project had a positive impact on older adults as well. In Split, elderly residents of the Golden Age Center engaged in creative workshops with students, which helped them stay active and mentally stimulated. Similarly, in Knin, elderly residents of the local home received needed grooming services and social interaction, improving their quality of life and providing them with a sense of value and connection to younger generations.
For the partner organizations, the project strengthened collaboration and organizational skills. Both the MI and ZvoniMir associations will continue their cooperation and implement the training and practices developed during the project in other schools. The study visits and joint activities improved their capacity for organizing and planning events and helped them network with other organizations, enhancing their ability to support and establish volunteer programs. The project also boosted the digital marketing and public communication skills of eight team members from the partner organizations. This training improved their ability to communicate with the public and media, increased the visibility of their activities, and enhanced their overall outreach efforts.