Information providers

The Ministry of Public Administration is the key actor in promoting volunteering in Slovenia. Based on the Volunteering Act which gives an important emphasis to the promotion of volunteering, the Ministry publishes calls for financing networks of non-governmental organisations and promoting volunteering with the following objectives: development and enforcement of various models for the promotion of volunteering in the economy, public administration and non-governmental organisations, setting up a system of networking with businesses and NGOs, promoting e-volunteering (introducing new models of e-volunteering, promotion of e-volunteering, etc.

At the invitation of the ministry, the Centre for the Promotion of Voluntary Work (Posredovalnica prostovoljskih del) serves as an “administrator”, providing voluntary organisations and volunteers with various forms of support, such as:

• information and counselling;
• educational opportunities and exchange of experience;
• participation in joint promotion of volunteering; and
• cooperation in strengthening civil dialogue and systemic regulation of volunteering.

Slovene Philanthropy leads a Slovenian network of more than 2000 voluntary organisations. The Slovenian Network of Voluntary Organisations was formed to promote volunteering, identify the value of voluntary activities and create an environment fertile for its development. Their portal Prostovoljstvo.org helps voluntary organisations to connect with each other across the country. Inclusion in the network and information system is open to all interested voluntary organisations. The portal offers promotion of vacant voluntary activities and helps volunteers to find an activity.

The portal Mlad.si (established by the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth) is developed as a central communication centre with the aim of establishing a comprehensive and sustainable system for informing the public in the youth sector and outside. The portal is intended for all youth organisations, young people, individuals working with young people, representatives of the state and local communities, the media and the general public and also contains information about the possibilities of voluntary work and connects organisations that are involved in this field.

The Slovene Philanthropy is the main organisation that promotes volunteering in Slovenia. It aims to promote and develop voluntary work and, in general, solidarity among people. In addition to promoting voluntary work, its core activities include helping individuals to get in touch with organisations in need of volunteers, training volunteers and supporting civic organisations. Furthermore, it organises the following events:

• Volunteering Forum (Forum prostovoljstva): every second year;
• Slovenian Volunteering Congress (Slovenski kongres prostovoljstva): every second year, lasting two days;
• Seminars and trainings for organisers of voluntary work;
• National Volunteering Week (Nacionalni teden prostovoljstva);
• A day for change (Dan za spremembe).

Other organisations that promote volunteering directly or indirectly include the following organisations (the list is not exhaustive):

• The Youth Council of Slovenia (Mladinski svet Slovenije): since 2002, the Youth Council organises the event “Volunteer of the Year”. The volunteers of the year receive the award from the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
• MOVIT - Institute for Promotion of Youth Mobility (MOVIT – Zavod za razvoj mobilnosti mladih) promotes European Solidarity Crops’ activities on webpage and on social media (Facebook).
• Network of youth centres MaMa enables young people to obtain information on various possibilities for carrying out voluntary work, organise different voluntary work projects, offer training to volunteers etc.
• CNVOS - Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGOs promotes the role of NGOs in the civil society and ensure the realisation of their objectives, including the development of volunteering.
• Institute Voluntariat is an organisation that offers various opportunities for international voluntary work.
• MISSS - Youth Information and Counselling Centre of Slovenia (MISSS – Mladinsko informativno svetovalno središče Slovenije) develops and provides information and counseling, non-formal education and training, and promotes active participation and volunteer work.
• SLOGA - The Association of Slovenian Societies, organises an important promotional event every year under the framework of the Global Youth Service Day.

Important providers of information are regional partners of Eurodesk info service. Eurodesk is a free infoservice of the European Commission dedicated to young people and youth workers. In 2007, Eurodesk Slovenia established a network of regional partners, which in 2015 expanded, strengthened and re-established the network's operation.

Eurodesk Slovenia operates with one regional partner in each Slovenian region (a total of 13 local partners). The role of regional partners is primarily to provide young people with information on the opportunities for mobility of young people in Europe and information on European youth policy, thus promoting the participation of young people. 

Key initiatives

“National Awards for Special Achievements in Volunteering” (Državna nagrada za izjemne dosežke na področju prostovoljstva)

This award aims to increase the recognition of volunteering in Slovenian society. It is granted by the Committee of the Republic of Slovenia to individuals or organizations for outstanding achievements in volunteering. Nominees are selected annually based on the Volunteering Act and related regulations.

“Volunteer of the Year” (Prostovoljec leta)

Organized by the Youth Council of Slovenia, this annual event recognizes young volunteers for their dedication and contribution to society. Volunteers of the year receive awards from the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities, with participation from various youth organizations.

“National Volunteering Week” (Nacionalni teden prostovoljstva)

Held before the Festival of Volunteering, this event is organized by Slovene Philanthropy and includes:

• Ceremonial Volunteer Day, where the "Hero of Our Time" award is presented to schoolchildren for their volunteer efforts.
• Happy Volunteering Day, the main event in Ljubljana, where over 100 voluntary organizations showcase their work, including many from the youth and school sectors.
• Local volunteering events in cities such as Maribor and Nova Gorica.

“Youth-Friendly Voluntary Organisation” Award (Mladim prostovoljcem prijazna organizacija)

This award, granted by the Slovenian Network of Voluntary Organisations, recognizes organizations that provide quality mentorship to young volunteers under 18. The list of awarded organizations is available on Prostovoljstvo.org.

Fruits of society (Sadeži družbe)

A Slovene Philanthropy's project, promoting intergenerational cooperation by encouraging young people to volunteer for the elderly and vice versa. It connects schools with pensioners' associations and other voluntary organizations, fostering solidarity, tolerance, and mutual support. Schools, youth organizations, and pensioners’ associations can all participate.