The process of preparation for the European Year of Voluunteering 2011 - co-workers.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has become the Polish National Coordinating Body (NCB) for the EYV 2011 as a resort competent for the issues related to public benefit activity and voluntary work. The NCB's supervisor under the MPiPS is  Mr Jarosław Duda, the Secretary of State. The organisational unit coordinating the works on the National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland is the Department of Public Benefit which is responsible for implementation and promotion of solutions adopted in the above-mentioned Act as well as for creating conditions for development of non-governmental organisations and other entities operating for public benefit and volunteering development, as well as competent for cooperation between the public administration and the non-governmental not-for-profit sector, and for social economy and social cooperative.

The issues connected with voluntary activities are dealt with also by other ministries within the fields of their competence, among others by the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage or the Ministry for Scientific Research and Information Technology.

Moreover, corporate volunteering[1] is examined by the Group for Corporate Social Responsibility appointed under the Prime Minister and whose members include social and economic partners as well as government representatives.

At the same time, the Central Statistical Office plans cyclical research on voluntary activities. The first part of the research will be completed in the 1st quarter of 2011 and its results will be available at the end of the year. Since voluntary work was described as an "additional element shaping the image of the Polish presidency", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also pursue activities related to volunteering development and promotion. Conclusions from the events taking place in the 2nd quarter of 2011 and connected with the EYV 2011 will be included and mentioned on the forum of the EU-27 during official meetings under the calendar of the Polish presidency. As high as possible level of correlation of both events will also to enhance the image of the Polish presidency in the European Union.

Stakeholders consulted

Pursuant to the decision of the Council of the European Union of 27 November 2009 (2010/37/EC), the MPiPS as the NCB based its activities on close cooperation with all stakeholders in relation to the EYV. An Intersectoral Working Group for European Year of Volunteering was appointed, composed of representatives of the public administration institutions and non-governmental organisations which are active in the field of volunteering - both at the general and sectoral level (e.g. student volunteering, volunteering in hospices, senior volunteering, volunteering in the sports sector). The Group has developed national priorities for the EYV and is now preparing the National Work Programme. Among active members of the Group are: the Council for Public Benefit Work (an advisory body at the ministry competent for social security, composed of representatives of the 3rd sector, the government and the self-government) and the Parliamentary Group for cooperation with non-governmental organisations. Also the PL.2012 Company, which on behalf of the government and the self-government coordinates preparations connected with urban volunteering for the purpose of provision of services for the final tournament of UEFA EURO 2012^TM, is involved in the works of the Intersectoral Working Group. The Group for Corporate Social Responsibility, which comprises of representatives of the government, trade unions and associations of employers, dealing with, among others, the issues of corporate volunteering, was likewise invited to participate in the works. Coordination of the celebrations of the EYV 2011 in Poland will take into account the plans of the international partners, that is the Hungarian Presidency for the first half of 2011 and, possibly, preparations of the Danish and Cyprus presidency for the celebrations of the thematically related European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity 2012.

The consultation process, its outcome and follow-up

The MPiPS started its activity as the NCB for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 with establishing groups of entities from the public administration, the sector of non-governmental organisations as well as the business sector, which are most involved in volunteering development. In this manner the Intersectoral Working Group for European Year of Volunteering was appointed, which from the very beginning has taken part in the works on establishing the national priorities and the national celebrations programme for the EYV 2011.

As part of the preparatory activities for creating the above-mentioned Intersectoral Working Group, on 13 April 2010, a working meeting for non-governmental organisations was held with the aim to commence discussion on the shape of the Polish work programme for the celebrations of the EYV 2011. The meeting was attended by: representatives of several non-governmental organisations most active in the field of voluntary activities as well as representatives of the non-governmental part of the Council for Public Benefit Work and representatives of the Companies Euro2012 and PL.2012 Company. The organisations presented their ideas and demands concerning the shape of activities during Poland's preparation to the celebrations of the Year.

Another stage of preparatory activities consisted in a working meeting with experts from ministries active in the field of voluntary work, which was held on 23 April 2010. The following ministries were involved: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of  National Education, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Economy. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange experience in activity for volunteering development as well as to present the demands of non-governmental organisations to the government. Both meetings contributed to selection of the preliminary composition of the Intersectoral Working Group for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 which held its first meeting on 18 June 2010. The group meets on average twice a month or when necessary, whereas on-line consultations on current documents and ideas are held on a continuous basis.

Apart from the consultation meetings concerning specific stages of the works on the National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland, the members of the Group are notified of any relevant events connected with the above-mentioned preparations by e-mail. Their opinions and suggestions are of key importance for the shape of the Polish celebrations of the EYV 2011 which on principle have to be as intersectoral and interactive as the above-mentioned Intersectoral Working Group.

Simultaneously with the works of the Group, the NCB pursues consultation activity of broad scope concerning particular priority areas (as described above). Among important partners of the MPiPS are undoubtedly plenipotentiaries for cooperation with non-governmental organisations who operate within the Marshals, voivodeships or municipal offices. Such officials, acting as intermediaries between the public administration and the non-governmental not-for-profit sector in the regions, have been invited to cooperate during the preparations to the EYV 2011 during their nationwide convention held on 30 June 2010. The final shape of the Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland was subject to intersectoral and social consultations.

What should be mentioned here is also permanent working cooperation with the so-called third sector media[2], that is the most influential Internet portals and specialist publications for non-governmental organisations. Such cooperation is aimed at designing activities under the communications campaign for the EYV 2011 in order to ensure that they reach both specialist circles (among others, non-governmental organisations, employers, activists in sports clubs, etc.), as well as the entire society. The non-governmental media are a perfect intermediary for this process - they have both in-depth knowledge on the issues related to voluntary activities and citizenship activity as well as know-how in the field of PR and communications.

Cooperation with the above-mentioned group is planned to be continued throughout the entire celebrations of the EYV 2011 in Poland.

[1] Corporate volunteering as defined by the Volunteering Centre is based on involvement of companies' employees in voluntary activities for the benefit of social organisations. Employees-volunteers provide all kinds of services for those in need, using to this end their skills and abilities and at the same time developing their talents in other fields. The company supports its employee in such activities - depending on its corporate culture, it delegates the employee as a volunteer during his/her working hours, provides material assistance or logistics and financial support.

[2] including in particular: the quarterly "III Sektor" and Internet portals: www.ngo.pl ; www.csrinfo.pl ; www.e-wolontariat.pl 

The European Year of Volunteering 2011,  how to change yourself and the world

Three, two, one... go!

   It has not even started yet and it is already widely spoken about. The European Year of Volunteering 2011 Promoting Active Citizenship was established pursuant to the Decision of the Council of the European Union of 27 November 2009 (2010/37/EC) for the coming year 2011. From Helsinki to Lisbon, from Athens to Stockholm - in the whole European Union - preparatory works concerning the opening ceremony for the Year celebrations are conducted in all Member States invited by the European Commission to participate in this incredibly interesting and undoubtedly necessary event. Considering the present celebrations of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) and the future celebrations of the European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity (2012), the subject of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 is consistent with the up-to-date issues that are widely discussed by the European societies. It is also worth mentioning that the 10^th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteering, established in 2001 at the initiative of the United Nations, falls on 2011.

   In order to make the ideas of the Year real, EU Member States established National Coordinating Bodies (NCB) responsible for the organisational supervision over all the aspects of the implementation of EYV 2011 at the national level, and for the link between national activities and Community activities. It is worth to notice the fact that the EYV 2011 coordinating body is the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy as a ministry responsible for the issue of public benefit and volunteer work. The Department of Public Benefit is the organisational unit managing works over the National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland - the manual for the EYV 2011 celebrations in Poland.

We have common goals

   The Council of the European Union, in the above-mentioned Decision, specified the objectives of the Year of Volunteering and thereby indicated issues that in its opinion should be especially considered by all participants of the organisation of the Year celebrations:

• to work towards an enabling environment for volunteering in the EU in order to anchor volunteering as part of promoting civic participation and people-to-people activities in an EU context and address existing obstacles to voluntary activities, where appropriate and necessary;
• to empower organisers of voluntary activities to improve the quality of voluntary activities in order to facilitate voluntary activities and help organisers to implement new types of voluntary activities and to encourage networking, mobility, cooperation and synergies within civil society and between civil society and other sectors in an EU context;
• to recognise voluntary activities in order to encourage appropriate incentives for individuals, companies and volunteer-development organisations and gain recognition for volunteering at EU level and in the Member States by policymakers, civil society organisations, public institutions, the formal and non-formal education sector and employers for skills and competences developed through volunteering;
• to raise awareness of the value and importance of volunteering in order to raise general awareness of the importance of volunteering as an expression of civic participation which contributes to issues which are of common concern of all Member States, such as a harmonious societal development and social cohesion.

   The above objectives clearly mean something more - much more - than only reminding Europeans about the importance and value of volunteering though it should be continuously done. Nevertheless, the European Year of Volunteering should be the opportunity to meet the number of challenges of volunteering development in EU, especially in the context of institutional environment or legislation measures. It is, however, known that volunteering is the activity performed in a specific place and time. The idea of volunteering and its supranational meaning are often discussed but it is still worth to remember about our own backyard and ask ourselves what needs to be improved. The European Year of Volunteering, that was decided to be implemented on the national level, poses great opportunity for it.

National priorities of the Year

   The European Year of Volunteering seems to be a perfect chance for Member States to analyse the conditions and environment for volunteering in individual countries. What have been already done? What are we proud of? What needs to be changed or improved? Attempts to answer these questions resulted in establishing the so-called national priorities of the Year, i.e. thematic areas concerning the subject of volunteering, especially significant from the point of view of certain country. National priority areas are the answer to previously diagnosed key obstacles to the development of volunteering. They, most of all, indicate directions for measures to be taken in order to overcome these obstacles. In order to learn about the Polish priority areas established for the Year celebrations and corresponding to the four main objectives specified in the Council Decision, it is worth to familiarise oneself with the National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland. In the course of consultations conducted with non-governmental organisations and departments operating in the field of volunteering the following priority areas were established:

• Promotion of voluntary activity values and its benefits - creating trend for volunteering. All varieties of volunteering will be promoted, as an activity suitable for every age or professional group. Emphasis will be put on promoting voluntary activities based on volunteers' knowledge and skills. What should be consolidated is the awareness that the value of volunteers' work does not consist in its unpaid character but is related to knowledge, skills and experience that volunteers contribute - this is specifically worth underlining in the context of corporate volunteering.
• Reinforcement of voluntary services organisers, first of all, in relation to management of and incentivising volunteers. Volunteers' employment should be connected with planning and strategic thinking in order to ensure that the volunteering experience is valuable both for the volunteer as well as for the organisation benefitting from his/her support. Volunteers need to be provided with a clearly specified description of their role in the organisation as well as with feedback on their involvement. Organisers of volunteering should be aware that the relation which volunteers form with the organisation should be based on the principle of reciprocity. It is important to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience between coordinators of volunteering in every field (volunteering in the sports sector, volunteering in hospices, volunteering activities conducted by seniors and the disabled, etc.), to enable them using good practices developed in the country as well as abroad.
• Reinforcement of systematic approach towards volunteering. Poland's ambition is to benefit from the chance which the European Year of Volunteering 2011 and the simultaneous Polish presidency in the Council of the EU offer, in order to pursue work on enhancement of the strategic approach towards volunteering in our country. It is planned to implement a number of measures in order to achieve a long-term objective, such as the review of legal provisions on volunteering, inclusion of the theme of volunteering into the contents of strategic documents (among others, concerning the human and social capital, education and the labour market), and initiating works on the Long-Term Policy for Volunteering Development in Poland.

All activities under the above-mentioned priority areas of the celebrations of the EYV 2011 in Poland will be pursued both country-wide as well as with the consideration of their usefulness for specific regions or local communities. A particularly important role will be assigned to underlining the international, European dimension of activity, to which Poland is specifically obliged due to its presidency of the Council of the EU during the EYV in 2011.

Building partnership

   Undoubtedly, the European Year of Volunteering should be the common work of all entities that want to participate in its celebrations. Therefore, although the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, acting as the National Coordinating Body, is in charge of direct organisational supervision over the entire project, it remains open to networking and cooperation with all stakeholders. At this point it is worth mentioning about the cooperation between NCB and the Intersectoral Working Group for European Year of Volunteering 2011 consisting of representatives of the public administration institutions and non-governmental organisations operating in the field of volunteering - both at the general and sectoral level (e.g. student volunteering, volunteering in hospices, senior volunteering, volunteering in the sports sector). From the very beginning, the Department of Public Benefit, directly responsible for the implementation of the Year celebrations, has set up an objective of intersectoral coordination consisting in including all stakeholders into preparation of the EYV Polish celebrations and making them responsible for long-term effects of the celebrations. Interestingly, on the very day of issuing the decision on MPiPS role as the national coordinating body, Department of Public Benefit asked all ministries and selected central offices whether they conduct voluntary activities and if they are interested in cooperation in this matter. Presently, the Team consists in most of all representatives of department level public administration and several representatives of non-governmental organisations, especially those operating in the field of volunteering. Among active members of the Team are: the Board for Public Benefit Activity (an advisory body at the ministry competent for social security, composed of representatives of the 3rd sector, the government and the self-government) and the Parliamentary Team for cooperation with non-governmental organisations. Also the PL.2012, which on behalf of the government and the self-government coordinates preparations connected with urban volunteering for the purpose of provision of services for the final tournament of UEFA EURO 2012^TM, is involved in the works of the Intersectoral Working Group. The Team for Corporate Social Responsibility, which comprises of representatives of the government, trade unions and associations of employers, dealing with, among others, the issues of corporate volunteering, was likewise invited to participate in the works. The Intersectoral Team, assembling at working meetings for over six months, has so far significantly contributed to the development of the National Work Programme, especially as regards national priorities for the Year, as well as to the establishment of the communication strategy. Apart from consultation meetings, the Team members are notified via e-mail about all important events related to the preparatory works. Their opinions and suggestions are of key importance for the shape of the Polish celebrations of the EYV 2011 which in principle should be intersectoral and interactive, just as the above-mentioned Team. It is also worth mentioning that, simultaneously with the works of the Team, the NCB pursues consultation activity of broad scope concerning particular priority areas. Among important partners of the MPiPS are undoubtedly plenipotentiaries for cooperation with non-governmental organisations who operate within the Marshal, voivodeship or municipal offices. Such officials, acting as intermediaries between the public administration and the third sector in the regions, have been invited to cooperate during the preparations to the EYV 2011 during their nationwide convention held on 30 June 2010.

   There is also the second pillar of cooperation of the Department of Public Benefit consisting in permanent exchange of information concerning new initiatives between Department of Public Benefit and the European Commission that initiates a large communications campaign for the Year celebrations. The European agency P.A.U. Education, in cooperation with the national coordinating bodies, developed a diverse concept of promotional activities aimed at propagating the idea of volunteering in Europe. DPG workers stay in constant working contact with the campaign P.A.U. organisers.

A chance and a challenge

   The Republic of Poland approved from the beginning the initiative of the European Year of Volunteering, which was reflected in the Government's Position on the European Year of Volunteering (2011). Poland has so far undertaken with success the initiative related to the celebrations of the Year, regarding the event both as an opportunity and a challenge.

   Why an Opportunity? The aim of the EYV 2011 is to contribute to the increased role of voluntary activities in enhancing social cohesion. The celebrations will coincide with the 6-month period of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, which undoubtedly may be considered an opportunity. This is a unique opportunity for our country to promote this form of civic activity in the other Member States, but also a great opportunity to encourage the Polish society to get to know our neighbours better, to exchange experience, support intercultural education, or create favourable conditions for mutual relationships between the Member States' citizens.  Volunteering is a thoroughly human experience, which by nature brings people together, bridges all differences or gaps.  Acknowledgement of this fact and its adequate highlighting, even by politicians, may contribute to the release of great quantities of goodness and creative involvement. On the other hand, the celebrations of the Year constitute a significant organisational challenge for each State.  What comes to mind first is the responsibility for adequate and maximum use of the whole potential of such an event and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to promote volunteering on both the european and national scale. It is worth acknowledging that for the 12 months to come the whole Union will speak of volunteering in one voice, although the way of promotion and the dynamics of the message will differ according to States.  Poland faces the challenge of partaking in the European Year of Volunteering in such a way as to ensure that our voice be heard in the celebrations and provide the best possible results.  

   Finally, another challenge is the range of obstacles to the development of volunteering in Poland.  Generally speaking, statistics concerning this issue are straightforward. Available surveys indicate that the level of involvement of Polish citizens in voluntary activities is considerably lower than the average in the European Union, which amounts to 23%[1]. Only 12.9% of Polish people, that is approx. 3.8 million, declared in November 2009 that during the last 12 months they had dedicated their time to work for a social organisation or an informal group[2]. This result is similar to the one recorded a year ago and the one from two years ago. However, during the years 2005-2006 over 20% of Polish people were involved in voluntary activities. The low level of involvement in voluntary activity in Poland is the most visible sign of specific barriers which hinder volunteering development. The European Year of Volunteering is an opportunity to face these challenges.

What lies ahead?

   The celebrations of the European Year of Volunteering, both at the national and European level, have a large potential. It seems that changes for good are simply inevitable.  Undoubtedly a lot will happen, also in Poland.  The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, in cooperation with the Intersectoral Working Group for the European Year of Volunteering 2011, prepares a series of promotion activities compliant with communication strategy for the Year.  A Web page on the event will be developed. It will constitute a basic platform for information, promotion of best practices and measures under the EYV 2011.  An information campaign is also planned in the Internet, including in particular the social media campaign.  Thus we want to reach the special group of recipients, i.e. the youth.  Young people should discover that volunteering may simply be...fun! The phenomenon of „volunteering en vogue" - if smartly created - is a huge opportunity for gaining students ready to undertake diverse forms of activity, which will provide the results in their later professional experience.  Moreover, in order to provide the maximum possible visibility of communication activities, we want to make an outdoor campaign with the support of P.A.U. Education. The Department of Public Benefit wants to invite to cooperation celebrities from the world of culture, sport or politics, who could act as the Ambassadors of the Year of Volunteering in Poland or become the members of the Committee of Honours, established for the sake of the celebrations.  Last negotiations are being conducted at present with the partners sitting at the Intra-sector Working Team for the European Year of Volunteering 2011, and the names of the persons invited are to be known soon.

    A series of events which will transpire in our country in 2011 is also worth mentioning. The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, as a National Coordinating Body, plans a series of conferences and seminars both on volunteering and on other topics considered important in the context of the Polish Presidency.  An international conference entitled „ Legal reality of the functioning of volunteering activities in Europe" will be held in May 2011, and another one on the new phenomenon of e-volunteering - in September.  Both events are co-organised by the Department of Public Benefit. It is worth mentioning that a European-scale conference closing the celebrations of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 will be held in Warsaw in December the following year.

   The offer of the celebrations of the Year is in fact much more complex and rich.  The National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 in Poland includes a long list of activities compliant with the objectives of the EYV 2011 set by the Ministries and non-governmental organisations cooperating under the Intersectoral Working Group for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 and many more.  It is worth getting acquainted with the list, a.o. in order to see for oneself how many fantastic projects and initiatives are to be undertaken by those who know almost everything about volunteering.  Let us also remember about the competition to be announced by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy for projects of NGOs compliant with national priorities of the EYV 2011. It is worth pointing out that one of the components under the competition will be devoted to co-financing of projects promoting senior volunteering.  Seniors are the second particularly exposed group of recipients of communication activities.  Projects under this component will concern the manner of involving and activating elderly persons in relation to volunteering activities by offering specific solutions.

   Moreover, as it has already been pointed out the NCB will participate in European promotion activities related to the celebrations of the European Year of Volunteering, initiated by the European Commission.  The EYV 2011 Tour is one of the key projects Poland will participate in. Each Member State of the EU will host the EYV 2011 Tour promoting the idea of the EYV.  The six largest EU States and Belgium (the so-called "big seven" including Poland as well)  will be provided with a EYV 2011 pavilion, other States will have to get access to adequate space guaranteeing the possibility of similar composition of the space as in pavilions.  The pavilion which will be places in Warsaw in September 2011 and will stay in the city for about 10 days.  The time will be divided into so-called theme days, all of which will be coordinated by the host organisation, which, in cooperation with the invited partners will make the space of the pavilion become a dynamic meeting place for volunteers and city-dwellers and all visitors. We already know that there are many "volunteers" to take part in the pavilion presentations!

Join the active

   Although works on the National Work Programme for the European Year of Volunteering in Poland have been long concluded, it does not mean that the organizations who want to join the celebrations are necessarily deprived of this opportunity. On the contrary! The celebrations of volunteering will last for the entire subsequent year and each and every organisation and institution, which applies to the Department of Public Benefit for the logo of the Year, or the patronage of planned events, should receive the assistance without any problems.  The opportunity to get to know the application procedure for the logo of the EYV is already accessible through the web page of the Department.  Moreover, non-governmental organisations which want to make presentations in the pavilion of the EYV 2011 Tour should find the information on call for applications to the European Year of Volunteering Tour 2011 (the EYV 2011 Pavilion in Poland). More information can be accessed at http://www.pozytek.gov.pl/ in the "volunteering" bookmark.

   The competition for non-governmental organizations for activities compliant with the Year's objective is also soon to be announced. Particular components will apply to social media promotion activities, communication campaign in regions, promotion of senior volunteering and projects related to supporting the organisers of volunteering.  All organisations which want to be active in the above areas are warmly welcome to apply. Moreover, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, as the Managing Authority of the Operational Programme Civic Initiatives Fund (OP CIF) profiles the fund as one of the financial support tools for the initiatives related to the development of volunteering.  Already in this year strategic criteria were defined, which promote projects aiming at the development of volunteering.  10 additional points may be awarded for fulfilling this criterion. Similarly in the following year volunteering projects may count on support under the programme.  Detailed information is to be appearing in time on the Department's web page.

Volunteering rediscovered

    The European Year of Volunteering 2011 is undoubtedly a special and unique event.  This is a one-of-a-kind occasion to imprint the volunteering values in collective consciousness to provide beneficial results in the future. Conferences, seminars, publications, research, debates and competitions - all in order to convince those who are already involved in volunteering of the deep meaning of their activities and to make them noticed and acclaimed by their environment, and to let others, who have not yet discovered the beauty and meaning of volunteering, see it as soon as possible.  Volunteering make people rise above their own concerns and see the others, is the simplest and the most interesting way of forming one's mature self and making the world a better place.

Hence, Volunteer! Make a Difference!

Katarzyna Świątek

Article written for the order of the quarterly "Europa dla aktywnych" published by the Foundation for the Development of Education System.

I would like to inform that the article will appear in January at a time when a printed version of "Europa dla aktywnych" will be delivered.

[1] Report on Volunteering in the European Union, Study conducted by GHK for the European Commission Submitted February 2010.

[2] Survey of the Klon/Jawor Assosication conducted in cooperation with Millward Brown SMG KRC in 2009, http://wiadomosci.ngo.pl/wiadomosci/499773.html