Description
The project addresses the challenges facing philanthropy in Bulgaria and the need to raise young Bulgarians in the spirit of philanthropy since early childhood. The project aims at supporting school communities to educate students in philanthropy through charity and volunteering initiatives. First, 2 methodologies to train school staff and youth leaders will be developed. Second, 20 schools will be involved in the project. Third, 60 school staff members will be trained to motivate students to volunteer. Next, 120 young volunteers will be trained to launch volunteering campaigns. Then more than 5000 people will be involved in 60 volunteering campaigns. Next, a manual on the school as an area of philanthropy will be issued. Finally, a network of schools promoting philanthropy will be set up. The project will benefit the school staff and students of 20 secondary schools, training teachers to educate students in the spirit of philanthropy.
Summary of project results
Even though the trends for volunteering among young people in Bulgaria are positive, the commitment rate stays rather low compared to European ones. Surveys show that active involvement by young people, i.e. participation in volunteering or charity campaigns, depends most of all on the rate of confidence in the institution organizing the campaign. It is very important for schools to become a place of support and practising philanthropy. The main goal of the project was to motivate and support school communities to develop philanthropy among young people and implement school charity campaigns by young volunteers as a form of active citizen participation. 22 schools across Bulgaria took part in the project. They developed philanthropy projects (initiatives) that were user-friendly as good and applicable practices in school groups and clubs. After 2 training sessions were held for 94 teachers and educators about “How to make the school a place for Philanthropy”, each of the schools participating in the project prepared its individual vision about its community as a place for philanthropic activities, set long-term and short-term goals for the development of students as active citizens. 10 training sessions were held for 13 groups of young people from the target schools. More than 260 students from 22 schools were trained and acquired key skills for planning, organization and implementation of campaigns, communication and selection of causes. More than 60 causes were supported and more than 1700 young people were involved who reached more than 14 000 people from the local community. For more information, please, visit:
http://www.schoolwithcause.com
Summary of bilateral results