Full project name: European voluntary service – Nature Connection, project code: 2017-3-
HR01-KA105-046850
Duration:
1.1.2018. – 30.4.2019.
Total value: 8,653.00 EUR
Funds provided for the activities of the Biom Association:
Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes: 8,653.00 EUR
Project leader:
Biom Association
Partners:
Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia
Project goals
Improving the level of key competencies and skills of volunteers.
Improving and promoting informal learning and cooperation with other civil society organizations.
Contributing to the development of non-profit projects and active participation of young people in volunteer activities and connecting with the local community.
Project summary
The project was designed to involve participants in the work on the key goals of the organization, namely nature conservation with an emphasis on increasing public awareness of importance of biodiversity, endangered species and habitats. Involving young interested individuals in our work, in addition to contributing to these goals, also builds the organization’s skills to involve other volunteers in activities. During 2018, two volunteers from Serbia, members of the Serbian BirdLife partner – the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, visited Biom as part of the project. Each of them spent five months volunteering and participating in a series of nature conservation activities, as well as raising awareness and educating the public.
In the work with the volunteers, non-formal and informal learning methods were used, and special attention was paid to building their self-confidence and self-initiative. The volunteers had the opportunity to work as a team on organizational activities and thus became familiar with a number of methodologies used in nature conservation (e.g. monitoring of nature components, data analysis, report writing), as well as European policies in this area. They further developed their communication skills and became familiar with communication tools by participating in the creation of materials for publications on the association’s website and social networks. They also contributed to the coordination of volunteers and practiced presentation skills while leading volunteer actions, which also provided them with contact with the local community of nature lovers.
During the project, the organization improved its internal volunteer management capacities and strengthened cooperation with the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia. Upon completion of the project, the volunteers gained extensive experience in nature protection, improved their communication skills, gained volunteer experience and improved their team skills, which ultimately made them more competitive on the labor market in the field of nature protection, but also in other areas where these skills are desirable.
The project is funded by the European Union. The content of this site is the sole responsibility of the Biom Association.