Research seminar on"“Mobility of young people – Opportunities and obstacles for cross-border volunteering

for youngpeople, particularly with fewer

opportunities”Strasbourg, 12-13 December 2011

“OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEERING” (taking into consideration the

political and institutional support given to volunteering)

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TO BE EFFICIENT IN VOLUNTEERING…

Start from local level To understand and adopt values of volunteering To get involved in national level To get involved in global level (EVS)

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The aim of the European Voluntary Service (EVS)

-is to develop solidarity and promote active citizenship and mutual understanding among young people. EVS enables young people to carry out voluntary service for up to 12 months in a country other than their country of residence. It fosters solidarity among young people and is a true “learning service”. Beyond benefiting local communities, volunteers learn new skills and languages, and discover other cultures. Non-formal learning principles and practice are reflected throughout the project. /YiA Program Guide/

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PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS

18-30 aged young people* Involvement of young people with fewer

opportunities Gender balance

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EVS PROJECT HAS THREE PHASES

Planning and preparation implementation Evaluation (including follow-up)

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Obstacles Before Volunteering, for the people with fewer opportunities To be informed about the program To find organizations (SO, HO) Language skills To introduce themselves in appropriate way (CV, LM) Selection process Readiness and ability of HO to support the volunteer Required conditions for volunteer Visa

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Obstacles During the EVS for the volunteer with few opportunities Home conditions Organization's appropriate conditions Workplace conditions Skilled Mentor Group of people the volunteer can work with Flat mates where volunteer lives in (in case of group

volunteering) Support of mobility (depending from the disability) Transport

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Obstacles After EVS for the people with fewer opportunities Future Integration in volunteering activities Involvement in EVS as a multiplier Place or group where the getting skills can be shared Re adapt to its own culture, homeland habits Get back to the labor market

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Opportunities Before, During, After EVS For the volunteer

Priority in selection process Additional places available Getting new skills and knowledge Getting to know new opportunities Meeting the same group of people Working with different groups of people Getting more competent Personal development Network of friends

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Obstacles for The HO organization, to support volunteer with

Appropriate living conditions Transport Working conditions Companion or assistant for the volunteer Skilled mentor Mobility Support with Free time and rest

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WHAT EVS IS NOT

Occasional, unstructured, part-time volunteering A paid job; it must not replace paid jobs An internship in an enterprise A recreation or tourist activity A language course Exploitation of a cheap workplace A period of study or vocational training abroad

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OPPORTUNITIES

New language New culture Skills Friends To be creative and innovative To be initiative

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COULD BE GOOD IF EVS

Not to be „one-off activity” Improve the long-term impact of volunteering Give another optional part of program that can

be “Post-EVS” Volunteers could represent statement of health

condition, with Part III Visa process could be facilitated

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WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL POINTS WHERE THE ATTENTION SHOULD BE DROWN

To develop the skills and knowledge of mentors, specially the ones that work with the people with fewer opportunities

To create “school” for mentors and visible circulation of new generation.

Involve in future programs Ex-volunteer as a mentor, particularly the one who considers to be a person with fewer opportunities, where would be efficient to use practical and theoretical skills.

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SUGESSIONS

Acknowledge and increase the role of YOUTHPASS. Develop and implement the sphere of more educated

Coordinators and Mentors, where the involvement of young people with fewer opportunities will be essential.

Particular support to people with few opportunities Make volunteering possible with companion or assistant Support SO and HO with the conditions, focusing on the

participation of young people with fewer opportunities, in the way of rising finances and assistance for the program

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WHAT ABOUT?

Creating database and network of Ex and Present EVS Volunteers

Giving chance to EX-volunteers to be the part of volunteering activities for the favor of HO country in their country of residence

In the basis of volunteering continue active involvement in different sphere, being a link between the country of volunteering and country of residence (cultural, sport etc.)

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REVALUE THE PARTICIPATION OF DISADVANTAGE PEOPLE

Young people with fewer opportunities can be facilitators with the same group of theirs

To learn and exchange within the same group of young people, during the period of volunteering

Be multipliers in their organizations and implementers of good practices

They can be more efficient with the work of the same group of theirs

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There is need of Volunteers with fewer opportunities

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EVS Program“Effective Volunteering summer” 01/06/2011-01/10/2011, Katowice, Poland

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NELLI GISHYAN

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

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