2.8 Raising awareness about youth volunteering opportunities
Information providers
Several schools and faculties have established volunteering clubs, which also disseminate information on volunteering opportunities.
Teachers are promoting volunteerism through the offer of extracurricular activities in the school environment and local community, as well as the media, both traditional (printed and TV) and new media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other social media).
Many civil society organisations, especially at the local level, organise campaigns for attracting volunteers who are mainly involved in environmental projects or projects that include the provision of social services to some of the vulnerable groups. All these activities aim to further promote International Volunteer Day on 5 December.
There are several websites for disseminating information on volunteering opportunities at the national and international level including the following, which have been supported through national calls for the financing of youth projects:
• web portal founded by non-profit association ADP-Zid;
• web portal founded by non-profit association Mladiinfo Montenegro.
Relevant information on EU programmes for volunteering are also disseminated via the EU Info Centre – www.euic.me.
Young people are using their voices in the promotion of volunteering through YouTube statements such as Statement by the member of the volunteer club “Slobodan Skerovic” or Volunteer club of Gymnasium Cetinje.
Key initiatives
Awareness-raising activities about youth volunteering are implemented by different civil society organisations at the local and national levels. International Volunteer Day, mandated by the UN General Assembly, has been celebrated on 5 December in Montenegro for more than 15 years. This initiative is organized and financially supported by the NGO ZID, while representatives of the authorities and the Assembly of Montenegro participate in the Program planned for the International Volunteer Day. Celebrating International Volunteer Day has been regularly included in the action plans for the implementation of the National Youth Strategy in the period 2017-2021. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, share their values, and promote their work among their communities, civil society organisations, government authorities, media and the private sector. On this day the annual volunteer prize is given to individuals, civil society organisations, companies, media or institutions who have contributed to the development of volunteering in Montenegro. This award has been presented since 2006 and that it is organized by the NGO ZID.
Since 2000 there have been a considerable number of activities and campaigns contributing to the promotion of volunteering for small community initiatives up to huge global movment actions such as lets do it and Good deeds day. Montenegro was involved in a worldwide “Let’s do it” campaign for cleaning up illegal waste. In 2016, more than 12 000 people in Montenegro participated in “Let’s do it!” actions.
More recently, from 2021, Good Deeds Day was celebrated for the second time involving a large number of young people. During April 2023, a total of 1032 participants joined, who implemented over 50 activities in Montenegro.