Main Mechanisms to Monitor and Ensure Quality

In Slovakia, the quality assurance of youth volunteering programmes is underpinned by established standards and accreditation systems:

• Quality Brand "We Can Do It with Volunteers": This brand indicates that an organization works effectively with volunteers and values volunteering. It is awarded by the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organizations (PDCO) after a detailed assessment of volunteer management practices based on Quality Standards. These standards cover:
  • Coordination of volunteers
  • Legal and ethical framework
  • Financial and material resources for volunteering
  • Integration into the team
  • Job description and profile of volunteers
  • Recruitment and selection of volunteers
  • Training and preparation of volunteers
  • Communicating with and supporting volunteers
  • Awards and recognition
  • Recording, documentation, and evaluation of the volunteer programme

The Quality Brand has three levels, indicated by one to three stars, reflecting the quality level of volunteer management. It is awarded for three years following a self-assessment and external evaluation by trained assessors. As of September 30, 2023, 130 organizations had been awarded this quality mark. The Quality Brand ensures prospective volunteers that their experience with the organization will be positive and meaningful. It also signals to donors the organization's commitment to quality volunteer management. Organizations holding the Quality Brand receive a 10% discount on PDCO's educational programmes and are favored in grant applications to certain foundations, including the Bardejov Community Foundation, Healthy City Community Foundation, ESET Foundation, and Slovak Savings Bank Foundation.

• Accreditation Process: With the amendment of the Volunteering Act effective from April 1, 2023, these standards became part of the accreditation conditions for volunteer activities. Accreditation serves as state verification of the sending organization's or volunteer activity recipient's ability to facilitate volunteering effectively. Accreditation is not mandatory for conducting volunteer activities but is required to receive financial support for long-term volunteer programmes under the grant scheme of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. However, as of September 2023, this grant scheme lacked financial coverage, and no call for accreditation was announced.
• Additional Oversight Mechanisms: While Slovakia does not have a dedicated national registry for organizations offering youth volunteering opportunities, relevant oversight mechanisms exist. The Ministry of Education maintains a list of organizations funded within the youth work grant scheme related to volunteering. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior oversees a register of NGOs, which includes organizations involved in volunteering activities. These registers contribute to transparency and offer a level of oversight regarding the organizations engaged in volunteering, although they do not directly assess the quality of volunteering experiences.
• Education and Training: To enhance the quality of volunteer management, several accredited educational programmes are in place. Between 2018 and 2023, five programs focused on developing competencies in volunteer management were accredited by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. These include:
  • Service learning in education and upbringing of children and youth towards volunteering (PDCO)
  • Management of young foreign volunteers (Bratislava Volunteer Centre)
  • Management of volunteers in a multicultural environment (INEX SLOVAKIA)
  • Management of short-term volunteering activities (Volunteer Centre, n.o.)
  • Volunteer University eRko – department of Five Skills of a Volunteer (eRko – Movement of Christian Communities of Children)

In the 2018-2023, 395 individuals completed these programmes. Additionally, PDCO offers an accredited course related to volunteer management and, during the reporting period, trained more than 200 volunteer coordinators.

Main Criteria/Indicators/Standards Used to Assess Quality

The primary indicators for quality assessment in Slovakia include:

• Adherence to the established standards under the PDCO Quality Brand.
• Successful completion of the accreditation process as outlined by the amended Volunteering Act.
• Participation in accredited educational programmes for volunteer managers.
• Inclusiveness and accessibility of volunteer programmes to diverse groups of young people.
• Regular monitoring of the number of participants in accredited programs and initiatives.

Main Outcomes of Quality Assurance Mechanisms

• Organizations awarded the PDCO Quality Brand receive recognition for meeting established standards, thereby enhancing their credibility and trustworthiness.
• Accredited organizations are eligible for financial support under state grant schemes (when available).
• Feedback mechanisms exist through educational programmes, where participants can provide insights into course quality and relevance.
• Organizations failing to meet quality criteria may not be eligible for funding, incentivizing adherence to established standards.