Description
The project addresses the challenges the applicant faces in its work with volunteers (lack of specialized training to work with the target group, inconstant motivation, turnover). The project aims at boosting the capacity of volunteers used by the applicant by setting up a network of active volunteers having the necessary skills and motivation and thus reducing volunteer turnover and improving the quality of the services. First, 40 volunteers will be attend introductory and follow-up trainings. Second, 24 coordination meetings will be organized where volunteers will be able to share their experience and difficulties and get advice from mentors. Third, 10 of the most devoted volunteers will be trained as coordinators. The project will benefit the applicant, volunteers, young people without parental care and the local community in general.
Summary of project results
The work with volunteers confronted Step for Bulgaria Foundation with two main challenges: lack of preparedness to work with young people and inconstant motivation of volunteers. The foundation values highly boosting its organizational capacity and the capacity of volunteers. The above factors made it necessary to have such a project. 7 training sessions for volunteers were held under the project. Two of them were induction training sessions for new volunteers and 4 were supportive sessions, aiming at boosting volunteers’ competence and confidence. The 7th training, apart from enhancing knowledge and skills, aimed at team building. The organization set up a network of 40 volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to work with disadvantaged young people. The network members are active and many of them act as mentors of such young people. There are more than 20 active volunteer-young person couples. Volunteer turnover was also reduced. The project helped the organization and volunteers acquire knowledge, skills and know-how about the specific characteristics of young people who grew up without parental care and how to work with them. Strong connections were built both between volunteers and the organization and between volunteers and young people. In addition, the Foundation enhanced its experience with project management which will be useful for future initiatives. The project also resulted in greater interest in the work of the Foundation in general. The successful campaigns to recruit volunteers helped raise interest in the organization. About 100 applications from volunteers were received altogether.
Summary of bilateral results