Be a volunteer! Inclusive volunteering as tool for social inclusion and skill development
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Be a Volunteer! project aims to develop and strengthen the skills of young people (aged 16-30) with disabilities, enhancing their employability and active social participation, through inclusive volunteering activities.
The project will utilise non-formal educational methods for the training of young individuals, with an emphasis on experiential learning. Throughout the project, skill-building programs will be designed and used to support volunteering coordinators and people with disabilities to participate in inclusive volunteering activities.
The main target groups are young persons with disabilities, aged between 16 and 30; civil organisations and professionals working with young people with disabilities; broader societal segments interested in promoting inclusivity and equality for individuals with disabilities.
To achieve its objectives the Be a Volunteer! project will:
- Gather best practices in training as learning activities - The project aims to create a Competency and Skills Matrix, which involves researching inclusive volunteering and identifying desired skills for both volunteers and volunteer coordinators. Additionally, it will produce a Handbook of Best Practices featuring five exemplary practices from each participating country.
- Organise a Blended Mobility – Involves a 5-day workshop where 5 participants from each country, comprising 3 young individuals with disabilities and 2 professionals, convene. During this workshop, they will receive training based on the findings from the Competency and Skills Matrix and the Handbook of Best Practices. This training precedes their engagement in volunteering activities.
- Produce a practical toolkit (“Know-how”) on Comptency and skill-enhancing training for young people with disabilities (age 16-30) and coordinators of volunteering activities. The toolkit will be developed as a result of the Blended Mobility workshops.
- Coordinate volunteer initiatives – Inclusive volunteering will involve 50 participants with disabilities and 10 assisting professionals from five countries. This initiative spans nine months, with each volunteer committing to 120 hours of service.
First meeting
The five project partners- from Hungary (Nem Adom Fel Alapítvány), North Macedonia (Ischekoropstestvo za site Valandovo), Italy (Associazione Diversamente Onlus), Spain (Federacion Provincial de Asociaciones de Personas con Discapacidad Fisica y Organica de Sevilla), Belguim (European Association for Service providers for Persons with Disabilities) and Bulgaria (VVI Foundation) had their first meeting in Budapest in March 2024, where they discussed hopes, vision and next steps.
Next meeting will be in Sofia (July 15th – July 17th , 2024), where Values, Virtues, Integrity Foundation will facilitate the competences and skills development training. Stay tuned!
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Competence and skills Development training in Sofia, Bulgaria 15-17 July 2024
The Competence and Skills Development training brought together 35 participants- young people with disabilities, youth workers, and non-disabled young people from Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Italy, and Spain. The three-day event, held at the Astoria Grand Hotel in Sofia, aimed to develop the competences and skills of young people with disabilities through volunteering.
The activity was designed to provide a unique space for participants to test innovative tools and methods, focusing on non-formal education and experiential learning. The program was packed with engaging activities, including interactive games, group building exercises, and a shadow theatre workshop. Participants also had the opportunity to design and implement their own volunteering activity in the heart of Sofia. During the volunteering action they cleaned a park, painted and danced Flamenco with locals and promoted the Erasmus+ program and its opportunities for young people.
The event was a great success, with participants reporting feelings of empowerment and motivation to engage in more volunteering activities in the future. They also made new international friendships and developed valuable soft skills. As a tangible outcome of their participation, all participants received a Youthpass certificate, recognizing their learning outcomes.
Our project will continue with a training event in Sardinia, Italy, taking place in early October 2024. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved!
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Second Training in Italy
In early October, the Bulgarian team traveled to Cagliari to participate in the second training session of the "Be a Volunteer" project. This intensive three-day event was organized by our Italian partner, Associazione Diversamente OdV, and included two young participants accompanied by their mothers. The focus of the first day was on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), a vital tool for enhancing communication for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual disabilities.
On the second day, a highlight of the program was a lecture by Professor Roberta Fadda from the local university. Her session offered participants valuable knowledge about the unique needs of autistic individuals and practical strategies for improving communication with them.
The final day of the training brought the participants to the local Caritas social kitchen, a hub of support for people in need. Here, they engaged in a volunteer activity, assisting with food preparation by washing and cutting vegetables, slicing pizza, and more. Working in teams, the volunteers helped serve meals, cleaned tables, provided water to visitors, and washed trays.
This experience was not only enriching but deeply fulfilling. We are thankful to the Caritas hosts for their hospitality, to the visitors for their kindness and patience, and to our partners from Italy, Hungary, Spain, and North Macedonia for their collaboration. Together, we continue to make a difference!
Third Training in Seville, Spain
From November 4th to 8th, three young people with disabilities, accompanied by two assistants, participated in the third training session of the Be a Volunteer! project. This engaging and enriching experience was hosted by our Spanish partners, COCEMFE Sevilla, in the beautiful city of Seville.
The first day the participants were divided into mixed teams which set the start of an almost a week long game, designed to forster teamwork and inclusion. The day continued with a lecture by Emilio Tortosa, who introduced the group to various types of disabilities and their unique needs and characteristics.
Day two was packed with valuable lessons and discussions. Participants got to know their teams and each other better, explored topics such as the qualities and skills needed to be an effective volunteer in diverse scenarios, the rich history of volunteering, and the legal frameworks governing volunteer work in the participating countries.
The final day of the journey started with an exciting treasure hunt in one of Seville’s most iconic parks! Guided by the Spanish volunteers, participants uncovered clues and learned interesting historical facts about the city in an engaging, non-formal way. In the evening, the group enjoyed a leisurely stroll through Seville's charming streets, with Alvaro, one of the wonderful hosts, sharing captivating stories about the city's rich history.
One of the most striking aspects of the trip was Seville's accessibility. The Bulgarian participants who use wheelchairs expressed their joy at feeling independent and being able to navigate almost anywhere without assistance. The training in Seville was a deeply meaningful experience, leaving participants feeling grateful and inspired by the opportunity to be part of the Be a Volunteer! project.
