Description
In Romania only 20% of citizens are actively involved in volunteering. The administrators need more human resources in order to manage properly the protected areas and volunteers represent an important opportunity. The project promotes innovative solutions stimulating active citizenship through volunteering activities in support of nature protection. Some activities will be organised in multi-ethnic areas (for example Racos – Coloanele de Bazalt) and we are going to promote this activity among Roma population who represents 80% of population.The project`s main output will be the creation of the online volunteering programs. 100 people will be involved in specific activities in 10 protected areas. The results include 1 study about volunteering in protected areas, 2 training courses on volunteers management, 1 website - volunteering opportunities, 1 national seminar for administrators, volunteers and companies. The beneficiaries are the administration of protected areas, students from relevant faculties, members of the Federation Natura 2000 Coalition, the Association of PA Managers, volunteers, private sector employees and international volunteers. The partnership will strengthen the cooperation between ProPark Foundation for Protected Areas, administrators and custodians of protected areas.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to encourage innovative active citizenship through nature protection volunteering activities, important for improving the management of protected areas. The project was built gradually in order to create a sustainable relationship between protected areas managers and volunteers. In the implementation period, the first national study about volunteering in protected areas was produced, because it was important to get relevant data about the collaboration with volunteers. The results were used and included in the 2 training courses about volunteering management in protected areas, which had a practical approach. The trainees developed a volunteering programme promoted on the online platform voluntariatnatura.ro. The project was an important opportunity for 10 people to organise 12 activities in 10 protected areas, managing more than 160 volunteers in a very professional way and being continuously supported by the ProPark team and the mentors. It was important that the most dedicated protected area administrators practiced the knowledge acquired through the training courses. The activities were documented in a video material designed to encourage people to get involved in volunteering activities through voluntariatnatura.ro platform. Also, a national caravan was undertaken in 6 universities of Romania and it was a great opportunity to understand students' interests and their motivation in this specific area. 31 people working in a protected area are now trained to coordinate volunteers, they have a better knowledge of legislation in this area and they are in a network with other people specialised in volunteer management. The first national study about volunteering in protected areas represents a document which can be used in future initiatives and projects aiming to support volunteers' involvement in nature protection. The training materials represent a resource for building capacity in volunteer management in protected areas. The platform voluntariatnatura.ro is a matching platform for protected area managers and volunteers.
Summary of bilateral results