Guidelines, handbooks and training curricula for professional volunteering

All of the projects have been funded with support from the European Commission. The following publications reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Our guidelines, handbooks and curricula are for private use only! It is not allowed to copy or display for redistribution the results to third parties or for commercial purposes. To copy or download these materials or using it for profit, you need the written consent of Gemeinsam leben & lernen in Europa or another partner of the ProVol consortium. Also the usage of text passages and graphics needs the written consent of the partners. The right of usage stays with us.

ProVol Digital

Digitalisation in volunteer work

IO 1 includes a general training for organisations and associations covering the basics of digital work. The partners present a toolbox containing 80 useful digital tools. Related reports, policy papers and guidelines show why change is necessary and what the opportunities of digitalisation are.

Research Report "Digitalization in volunteering: trends – practical examples – effects"

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Policy Paper and recommendations: "Values, attitudes and working principles in the digital world: How can "analog" values, attitudes, and working principles be found in digital volunteer management?

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Toolbox "Good digital tools"

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Report "Pedagogical methods of digital work"

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Guideline "Possibilities and limitations of adapting offline activities to digital sphere: Practical tips for the transformation process" plus translation

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Curriculum "Digitization in Voluntary Work for volunteer coordinators “

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Digital volunteer management

Through the project “ProVol Digital- Professional volunteer management and training through digitalisation” we are offering this recommendation guide for NGOs and volunteer coordinators to stay up to date. The aim of this guide is to equip NGOs and volunteer coordinators with digital expertise and to adapt their skills in dealing with technology to the current standards. Through this tool we want to inspire and empower other organisations to enter the digital sphere as well.

Guidline "Recommendations on digital volunteer management"

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Digital volunteering

A lot of people would be interested in volunteering, but are not as flexible or mobile to participate in the common volunteer “offline” face-to-face opportunities (e.g. because of working hours, being immobile, living on the country side …). Virtual volunteering opportunities can empower them to volunteer regardless of these limitations.

Handbook for volunteer coordinators

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Booklet for volunteers

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Curriculum

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

Online training for volunteer coordinators

As part of ProVol Digital, we digitised our existing training. ProVol is now available as a 10-module online training!

Module: Introductionon to Volunteering Module
Module: Aims and Objectives, Roles
Module: Project and Time Management
Module: Communication Module
Module: People Management
Module: Public Relations
Module: Event Management
Module: Networking
Module: Legal Issues
Module: Finances and Fundraising

ProVol Handbook (Preview)

In English In German In German (Austrian Version) In Czech In Romanian

Please note: this is a preview of the handbooks the participants of the ProVol training will receive.

Powerpoint presentations, learning materials and session plans

The training content is for ProVol participants and trainers, so it won't be published on the website.

If you are interested in participating in a training, contact one of our partner organisations. You can find their contact details here.

Within the ProVol network, we also train new trainers. Find out how to become a ProVol trainer here.

ProVol Franchise System

How to become a trainer - Information for interested trainers

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

How to become a ProVol partner - Information for interested NGOs

In English In German In Czech In Romanian

IMProVe 2.0

Acquisition, training and support of voluntary “Inclusion Buddies”

Inclusion buddies are volunteers who accompany people with disabilities in their volunteering well and safely, that people with disabilities feel taken care of, recognized and valued because they can make a meaningful contribution to society. For the acquisition, training and support of the inclusion buddies, several materials are available:

Job Description "Inclusion Buddies"

The job description outlines the inclusion buddies' goals, responsibilities and prerequisites. It helps volunteers understand their roles and enables volunteer involvign organizations to set realistic expectations. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Concept "Info Session for Inclusion Buddies"

It is a good idea to organize an informational event for all interested Inclusion Buddies before the start of the training series, so that any questions and uncertainties can be clarified in advance. The project partners combined their experiences and drafted a concept for individual face-to-face consultations or joint info sessions for interested volunteers. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Training for Inclusion Buddies

The training for inclusion buddies consists of 10 modules:

Introduction to Inclusive Volunteering
Why and when is my volunteering meaningful and important? Reflection for future
inclusion buddies
Empowerment
Expectations of the inclusion buddies
Organizational matters
Basic knowledge about the types of disabilities
The right wording: What can I say or address in what way?
Communication skills
Boundaries
Liberties

In this document, you will find session plans and materials for all sessions:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Promotion of inclusive volunteering in volunteers involving organisations

Volunteering can't exist without organisations! We developed and implemented inclusive strategies within volunteer invovling organisations (ViOs), offering recommendations and practical advice to create more inclusive volunteer programs and environments, and to increase opportunities for people with disabilities.

Evaluation: Summary of results of existing situation in NGOs

The summary report presents responses from 80 organizations across four countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Lithuania). The questions covered topics such as the focus of their activities, organizational barriers, volunteer numbers, and the involvement of volunteers with disabilities or disadvantages. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Concept for contacting and convincing potential hosting organizations

The concept provides strategies for contacting and convincing volunteer involving organizations to employ volunteers with disabilities.

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Curriculum for training on inclusive volunteering for volunteer coordinators

The training covers topics such as volunteer empowerment, managing different types of disabilities , conflict resolution, and communication strategies like simplified language. The curriculum is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Pool of volunteer positions on local level

Partners identified inclusive volunteer positions at the local level, ensuring accessible information about these opportunities and making them available to people with disabilities through adapted platforms or dedicated websites.

In Italy and the Czech Republic, host organizations preferred not to offer specific positions in advance. Instead, they want to match volunteers individually with activities based on the volunteer's disability, personality, and the availability of inclusion buddies.

Interested volunteers can contact the Czech organisation (Dobrovolnické centrum, z.s.) here, and the Italian organisation (Associazione Uniamoci) here.

In Lithuania, there is a map with inclusive volunteer positions in Panevėžys-

In Germany, there is a platform with inclusive volunteer positions in Passau.

Policy Recommendations

The Policy recommendations on how to promote and support inclusive volunteering are suggestions for volunteer centers and organizations welcoming open volunteering to promote and facilitate volunteer opportunities that are accessible and welcoming to
diverse groups of participants. The recommendations are available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Guideline "Setup of local networks on inclusive volunteering"

For inclusive volunteering to succeed, particularly at the local level, it is essential to establish a strong network of organizations—including both volunteer and host organizations—that collaborate effectively. This guideline suggests activities and tools for building such a network. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Photobook "Everyone can volunteer!"

The photobook presents good practices of inclusive volunteering. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Promotional material for volunteer involving organisations

The promotional video is intended to convince organisations that volunteering is possible for everyone.

Youtube video (Subtitles are available in English, Czech, German, Italian and Lithuanian.)

Leaflet in English Leaflet in Czech Leaflet in German Leaflet in Italian Leaflet in Lithuanian

Promotion tools, trainings and support structure for disability facilities, caretakers and parents of people with disabilities

Concept for an info sesssion for caretakers

The aim of this document is to share a model for organizing an information session for caretakers of people with disabilities to promote volunteering. It presents the timetable for the information session and a set of tools that are necessary for the tasks, training, etc. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Manual and policy recommendations for supporting volunteers with disabilities and mental health issues

The objective of the manual for the caregivers is to create a tool for caregivers to enable people with disabilities to volunteer and take an active part in the volunteering system.

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Counselling services for parents and staff: Overcoming fears and prejudices

Counselling services for parents and staff on overcoming fears and prejudices is an important area for creating a positive environment both at home and in the workplace. In order to effectively address the fears, prejudices and misconceptions about volunteering experienced by people with disabilities, we have developed a comprehensive and coherent programme of counselling services for both parents and employees. This programme is designed not only to educate but also to empower stakeholders by providing them with the information they need about local and international volunteering opportunities and their benefits for persons with disabilities. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Training and support structure for enhancing volunteering of people with disabilities

Manual for coordinators

This manuals helps volunteer coordinators to organize volunteering activities about accessibility. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Training course for volunteers with disabilities

This manual helps to organize a training course for volunteers with disabilities. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Concept for info session

This publication aims at sharing a model for the delivery of an info session for people with disability where to promote volunteering. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Presentation "Volunteer's rights and responsibilities"

This presentation gives an overview of the rights and responsibilities in easy language. It can be used for training of volunteers with disabilities and is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Matching strategy

Our matching strategy explains how to match volunteers with disabilities and inclusion buddies. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Questionnaire for potential volunteers

With this questionnaire, you can match a volunteer with a volunteer position based on their strengths, interests, and availability. It is available in five languages:

In English In English (easy to understand) In Czech (easy to understand) In Italian (easy to understand)

In German In German (easy to understand) In Lithuanian (easy to understand)

Photobook "Everyone can volunteer!" in easy language

The photobook will present good practices of inclusive volunteering in easy language to promote volunteering among people with cognitive disabilties. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Promotional Video

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Promotion tools for inclusive volunteering

The perception of pwd just being receiver needs to be changed, and therefore it is important to showcase, that they can be not only receivers of help but helping themselves and being active citizens. To achieve this, we have developed the following materials:

Exhibition "Everyone can volunteer!"

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Stakeholder breakfast

Each partner organized several stakeholder breakfasts in order to gain the support and expertise of important stakeholders in our local communities. We have summarised our experiences and tips in the concept for stakeholder breakfasts. It is available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanian

Inclusive Volunteering Conference

To present our project results, we organised an international conference in Prague on 25 September 2024. In short, interactive ‘taster sessions’, participants learnt how volunteering can become more inclusive. Here you can find inspiration on how to organise such a conference:

Conference Program Taster Sessions

Policy recommendations for local, regional, national, and international stakeholders and policy makers on how to promote and support the implementation of inclusive volunteering

Based on the insights, achievements, and tools developed in the IMProVE 2.0 project, here are key policy recommendations for enhancing inclusive volunteering. By removing barriers and promoting accessibility, these guidelines help build a culture where everyone can contribute meaningfully to their communities, fostering a more equitable society. The recommendations are available in five languages:

In English In Czech In German In Italian In Lithuanan

Promotional video "Everyone can volunteer" for the general public

In English In Czech In German In Italian (subtitles available) In Lithuanian (subtitles available)

Promotional video for experts

IMProVe 1.0

E-Book "Volunteer organizations' input on community education"

Our E-Book with an input about community education, practical tips on implementation of community education in local communities, the role and success factors of volunteer/neighbourhood/intercultural
centers as important providers of community education as well as a good practice collection of learning and training programs offered by the involved partners.

The E-Book is available in English, in Romanian, and in German.

Collection of good practices

Or collection of good practices presents 12 inspiring commuity projects in Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Austria.

The collection of good practices is available in English.

VOICE

E-Book "Volunteer organization's input on community education"

Our Ebook is a practical guide to community education. It covers how to start and fund Community education programs, the importance of volunteer and neighborhood centers, and the key factors for successful projects. You’ll find tips for implementing community education, learn how to recognize the value of volunteer-led organizations, and discover ways to promote community education locally and across Europe. The eBook also includes a collection of successful programs to inspire other NGOs.

The E-Book is available

in English in German in Romanian

Pro Vol & ProVol Crossborder

In this section you will find the ProVol curricula which were developed in our first international partnershops “ProVol” and “ProVol Crossborder”. There are several versions:

- Training curriculum for volunteer coordinators
- Training curriculum for volunteers
- Training curriculum in easy language

The training consists of 10 modules:

1. Module: Introductionon to Volunteering Module
2. Module: Aims and Objectives, Roles
3. Module: Project and Time Management
4. Module: Communication Module
5. Module: People Management
6. Module: Public Relations
7. Module: Event Management
8. Module: Networking
9. Module: Finances, Fundraising and Taxation
10. Module: Legal Issues

In 2023, the training content was updated and digitised as part of the “ProVol Digital” project. You can find out more about the updated training version here.