Volunteer Management workshop in Bolzano

On 28 and 29 November 2025, SEE conducted a workshop in Bolzano, Italy, hosted by local partner White Cross. The aim of the session was to bring the project’s work closer to the organised volunteers of the participating organisations.

The event focused on addressing the internal communication of the project’s work and results among the organised volunteers of the partner organisations. The need for joint action of informal and formal volunteers has been recognised by the organisations and the participating volunteer personnel – however, reservations against working together with spontaneous helpers in emergencies is occasionally still met with some reservations within the wider volunteer base.

The workshop prepared the participants to be multipliers within their organisations to communicate the necessity and possibility of a good balance between enabling spontaneous active citizens and the recognition and appreciation of long-term engagement and skill-building of structured volunteers. Methodologically, the participants were guided through a brainstorming and discussion process that identified benefits of joint formal/informal volunteer work for the organisation and the individual volunteer. This experience can now be used as guidance on the respective local levels to implement workshops with each organisation’s volunteers. Each operative project partner will adapt these guidelines to their local context and implement a local volunteer workshop to effectively communicate the project’s approach within their organisation.

Following the outreach to more volunteers within the partner organisations, the project will focus communication into the wider population once again by coordinating an online or hybrid dissemination campaign.