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Policy Recommendations

Europe’s so-called “refugee crisis” and the 2015 “summer of migration” triggered a wave of solidarity actions and volunteering activities by civil society organisations and ordinary citizens, including migrants and refugees themselves. The VAI project has been inspired by this wave of solidarity back in 2015-16, but it unfolded amidst its fading out. It sought to explore how and why does volunteering by, with and for immigrants may relate to integration. The project’s overall objective was to explore innovative actions facilitating active participation and social integration. This was approached through a stepwise process of 3 Work Packages: “National Researches”, ”Capacity Building” and “Establishing volunteering opportunities” – hence producing “better knowledge”, creating “better tools”, and promoting “better practice”. These tasks were undertaken by 10 partners from Academia, Civil Society, Local Government & Media, based in 4 countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece.

Impressions from VAI Closing Conference

Pilot Action Four Elements

On the 14th of December 2019, Four Elements, with the valuable contribution of the Hellenic Red Cross, implemented the trainings of volunteers’ trainers and immigrants volunteers. The trainings were conducted at the premises of “Impact Hub Athens”, a multifunctional open space in the center of the city, with the participation of more than 32 in total. The Hellenic Red Cross significantly contributed by directly contacting potential participants for both trainings.

Guide and Toolkit for Training Migrant Volunteers

The Guide for Training Migrant Volunteers assists trainers of volunteers to design and deliver effective training. It reviews training environment issues that shape how migrants-volunteers are trained and provides an introduction to competency-based training. The Toolkit for Training Immigrants Volunteers builds upon the issues discussed in this guide. It is divided in three different sections: exercises to be used before and during the training as well as evaluation methods to be used after the training.They should be read in parallel.

VAI Closing Conference

From December 4th to December 5th the VAI Closing Conference will take place at Piraeus Medical Association. Our greek partnes prepared a great program: Check it out!

Carolin Vonbank and Markus Schennach about FREIRAD

"Since all broadcasters are producing their shows on a voluntary basis, FREIRAD sees itself as a best practice example of how volunteering can be used as an instrument for integration. Let us introduce to you one of our Austrian partner organizations: FREIRAD 105.9 Freies Radio Innsbruck.

Pilot Action Initiative Minderheiten Tirol

As a pilot action Initiative Minderheiten Tirol is contributing to a film project of tyrolean filmmaker Eric Bayala, that involves a volunteer in the process of the film production.

A visit to FREIRAD

Last Week FREIRAD had a visit from Verein Multikulturell and 4 participants of the Verein Multikulturells Basic Education got an impression on how to become a volunteer for community radio.

Klaudia Binner about Verein Multikulturell

"Verein Multikulturell‘s main objectives are to promote professional, social and cultural inclusion of migrants and to enhance intercultural dialogue and education." Let us introduce to you one of our Austrian partner organizations: Verein Multikulturell.

Pilot Action Cidis Onlus

Cidis is implementing two training courses, one in Perugia and one in Terni, organised in weekly meetings/get together, opportunities to learn more about voluntary work done at a local level.