The idea
During a Volonteurope meeting in Sarajevo in October 2009, an informal working group originally composed by the 4 partners was set up to look into the possibility of a joint project. Since then we have continued to stay in touch in order to share and better define aims and objectives of the partnership and project. During a preparatory visit (Sept 2010 in Berlin), the project partners discussed and agreed the general aims and objectives as well as the methodology of the project and identified the Grundtvig Programme/Learning Partnership as the most appropriate funding. As a result of the visit, a progress report was put together with a timetable and partners’ responsibilities. Communication amongst partners continued after the visit via mail and Skype and during the annual Volonteurope Conference (Oct 2010 in Athens) where they finalised the project proposal whose aims and objectives were also presented to the Volonteurope Board for advice and support.
The project was submitted in 2011 and it was evaluated positively qualifying it as a 'good' project, but the national and executive agencies encouraged the group to improve the project for application in 2012.
The project was submitted in 2011 and it was evaluated positively qualifying it as a 'good' project, but the national and executive agencies encouraged the group to improve the project for application in 2012.
Project objectives
This project will work with learners belonging to voluntary organisations, centres for volunteering services, 3rd sector organisations (public & private ones, incl. enterprises).
The project aims at improving the quality of the voluntary sector to meet targets. facilitate local networks, help associations to:
- find new initiatives;
- share methods of evaluation
- share innovative strategies in fund-raising communication, promotion & marketing.
The approach partners chose consists in a learning project that will be developed through the learners' mobility, through studies, analysis and adult education. Each partner will organise a three-day visit dedicated to one of the topics with the following format:
Day 1: “My Box” presentation:
Presentation by the host organisation of a model related to a specific topic (see list in section F1) organised as a workshop, seminar or visit, etc... according to the choice of the host partner.
The workshop will look at:
• Situation
• Practice
• Tools
• Partners
• Testimony/Case Studies.
Day 2: Analysis and study:
Partners will be looking into more details at the issues discussed during Day 1. They will examine and analyse the experience shared by the host with the aim of identifying the strongest competencies, or the expertise of the host in his topic.
Day 3: "The Common box":
This day is dedicated to a common work of the partners and to a choice of best practices: in the second part of the day the learners integrate the best practices in a handbook.
At the end of the 4 visits the partners will organise a final seminar during which the 4 organisations will finalise a “Good Practice Handbook”. The results and handbook will be disseminated on line, in each country and in Europe, and presented at Volonteurope annual international meeting in 2014. Between each visit, the partners will work at local/national level to prepare the next visit, network with volunteering orgs and disseminate the results of the project.
A kick off conference will also be held during the 21st Volonteurope Conference in Firenze (Italy) in October 2012.
The project aims at improving the quality of the voluntary sector to meet targets. facilitate local networks, help associations to:
- find new initiatives;
- share methods of evaluation
- share innovative strategies in fund-raising communication, promotion & marketing.
The approach partners chose consists in a learning project that will be developed through the learners' mobility, through studies, analysis and adult education. Each partner will organise a three-day visit dedicated to one of the topics with the following format:
Day 1: “My Box” presentation:
Presentation by the host organisation of a model related to a specific topic (see list in section F1) organised as a workshop, seminar or visit, etc... according to the choice of the host partner.
The workshop will look at:
• Situation
• Practice
• Tools
• Partners
• Testimony/Case Studies.
Day 2: Analysis and study:
Partners will be looking into more details at the issues discussed during Day 1. They will examine and analyse the experience shared by the host with the aim of identifying the strongest competencies, or the expertise of the host in his topic.
Day 3: "The Common box":
This day is dedicated to a common work of the partners and to a choice of best practices: in the second part of the day the learners integrate the best practices in a handbook.
At the end of the 4 visits the partners will organise a final seminar during which the 4 organisations will finalise a “Good Practice Handbook”. The results and handbook will be disseminated on line, in each country and in Europe, and presented at Volonteurope annual international meeting in 2014. Between each visit, the partners will work at local/national level to prepare the next visit, network with volunteering orgs and disseminate the results of the project.
A kick off conference will also be held during the 21st Volonteurope Conference in Firenze (Italy) in October 2012.
Expected results
1. Short term
- Improved knowledge for the 4 partners of the project on volunteering practices and a better capacity to work together on European projects;
- At level of cooperation between institutions/local governments/policy makers and civil society, this project will aim to develop further/new cooperation between them;
- The knowledge on volunteering practices will be wider, since more partners like the business sector as well as policy makers and institutions will be part of the target groups of this project. Volunteering will be concept shared by more actors of the economic/social life in Europe.
2. Long term
- More volunteering opportunities accessible to European citizens with more innovative projects;
- More efficient work made by the organizations thanks to their increased capacity to raise funds for volunteering;
- Projects will have more effect and quality thank to an improved partnership with public institutions.
- Improved knowledge for the 4 partners of the project on volunteering practices and a better capacity to work together on European projects;
- At level of cooperation between institutions/local governments/policy makers and civil society, this project will aim to develop further/new cooperation between them;
- The knowledge on volunteering practices will be wider, since more partners like the business sector as well as policy makers and institutions will be part of the target groups of this project. Volunteering will be concept shared by more actors of the economic/social life in Europe.
2. Long term
- More volunteering opportunities accessible to European citizens with more innovative projects;
- More efficient work made by the organizations thanks to their increased capacity to raise funds for volunteering;
- Projects will have more effect and quality thank to an improved partnership with public institutions.
A european financial support
All the results and impacts of the project are related to its European nature: the basis of this learning partnership is that in each country there is a different volunteering culture, and different policies and procedures in relation to volunteering practices. The project will allow partners to share each other activities with the aim to create a common European culture of volunteering.
That is why The Commonbox project is applying for the european financial support Grundtvig Partnerships, LifeLong Learning.
That is why The Commonbox project is applying for the european financial support Grundtvig Partnerships, LifeLong Learning.