EuroVolNet project is developing Voluntary Services Tutorial which will be a leading resource of good examples which have been collected in the project.

The tutorial will be designed to provide inspiration and motivation to national association, political leaders and volunteer services managers by agregating the knowledge of the good examples in an easy accessible, cross-thematic way. The good examples of the EuroVolNet project will thus be documented in a grid of the project thematics, and in this way, users of the tutorial can have general methods within each theme presented, supplemented with good examples as further inspiration.

Tutorial will be focused to the following dimensions:

• Recruitment of volunteers (system/strategy, methodology, tools, identification, contact making and agreement);
• Education and training for the target group;
• Retention of volunteers on practical level (e.g. ongoing motivation tools such as organizing parties, trips, learning opportunities, individual follow-up and thanks);
• Recognition of volunteers on public level (e.g. ceremonies, public recognition events, certificates, prizes,  media attention);
• Influence or contribute to laws, government policies or recommendations on volunteering; 
• Promotion of the social and economical value of volunteering;
• Inclusion of disadvantaged or special target groups (disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation, low socio-economic status, elderly etc.);
• Innovative partnerships and funding models.

DEFINITION OF GOOD EXAMPLE: “GOOD EXAMPLE CAN BE DEFINED AS IS AN INITIATIVE IN A SPECIFIC AREA WHICH HAS (OR MAY HAVE) A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ITS RUNNING AND MAY BE SEEN AS INVENTIVE AND WHICH CAN BE APPLIED GENERALLY.”

 Particularly it is a project/program/activity that includes substantial and well-documented proof of success and that it has had an impact and/or has successfully met its program objectives with clear evidence that it can be transferred to or replicated in different contexts following:

 • Innovation, with new and creative solutions to common problems;
 • Transferability;
 • Sustainability, both in terms of durability of program results and efficient use of resources at disposal.

Given the “pioneering” nature of diverse projects implemented within the VOLUNTEERING sector, we would also like to give particular attention to those examples presenting innovation, transferability and sustainability without a clear evidence of success. Those examples,  that have the potential to succeed in the achievement of goals defined can be described as “promising” examples.

The purpose of Tutorial is to identify good examples and learning elements that can serve as a source of inspiration, knowledge and guidelines for politicians and organizations. The collection of good examples will pave the way for future development in the field of volunteering. For the individual organization or institution, the Tutorial will present an excellent opportunity for external validation of their projects and initiatives, as well as added value to their respective donors and stakeholder organizations.

EuroVolNet Tutorial will be launched in the SPORTVISION2012 Conference in Copenhagen, 19. – 20.3.2012. SPORTVISION2012 Volunteering track is also the Closing conference of the EU supported EuroVolNet project, and will as such present project results.