2.8 Raising awareness about youth volunteering opportunities
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Address
Instituto de la Juventud de España
Spanish Institute for Youth
C/ José Ortega y Gasset 71
ES-28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 917 827 602
E-Mail:
Website
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Information providers
In Spain, a variety of entities offer accessible information regarding volunteering:
Several initiatives have been implemented to promote youth volunteering:
- Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps: Managed by INJUVE, these programs offer young people opportunities to volunteer across Europe, fostering skills development and cultural exchange. Programa Europeo Erasmus+
- Reconoce Program: An initiative that accredits competencies acquired through volunteering, enhancing youth employability.
- Fundación Esplai's Voluntariado.net: Provides information, visibility, and resources to promote volunteering, serving as a virtual meeting point for organizations and volunteers. Fundación Esplai
- University Volunteering: Spanish universities offer information on volunteering opportunities through their respective websites and networks, facilitating student engagement in social causes.
These platforms and initiatives play a crucial role in raising awareness and facilitating access to volunteering opportunities for young people in Spain.
- Youth Institute (INJUVE): Provides information on national and international volunteering programs, including Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.
- Spanish Agency of International Development Cooperation (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo): Provides opportunities for volunteering, particularly within international cooperation projects.
- European Commission Representation in Spain (Representación en España de la Comisión Europea): Offers information about EU-wide volunteering initiatives and funding programmes.
- Spanish Volunteers Platform (Plataforma de Voluntariado ): a comprehensive resource offering details on volunteering opportunities across the country.
- Spanish Foundations Association (Asociación Española de Fundaciones): Offers resources and information related to foundations and their volunteering opportunities.
- Vincente Ferrer Foundation (Fundación Vicente Ferrer): A prominent foundation in Spain offering volunteering information, particularly focused on international development and social causes.
- Spanish Red Cross (Cruz Roja Española): Provides avenues for volunteering in various social and emergency response projects.
- Unicef Spain: Engages volunteers in initiatives focused on children's rights and welfare.
Additionally, many web platforms connect volunteers with volunteering opportunities, including regional volunteering platforms and university networks.
At regional (Autonomous Community) level, official volunteering platforms provides access to regional volunteering opportunities and serves as a hub for volunteers and organizations to connect. These include:
- Andalucía Volunteer Portal (Portal de Voluntariado de Andalucía)
- Andalucía Platform of Volunteering (Plataforma Andaluza del Voluntariado)
- Aragon Volunteering Platform (Plataforma De Voluntariado De Aragón)
- Balearic Islands Volunteering Platform (Plataforma Del Voluntariat De Les Illes Balears)
- Canary Islands Federation Platform of the Volunteer Entities (Federación Plataforma de Entidades de Voluntariado de Canarias)
- Extremadura Volunteer Platform (Plataforma Del Voluntariado De Extremadura)
- Madrid Infoyouth Platform (Plataforma Inforjoven de la Comunidad de Madrid)
- Madrid Volunteer Portal (Portal de Voluntariado de la Comunidad de Madrid)
- Madrid Volunteer Platforms (Plataformas de Voluntariado de la Comunidad de Madrid)
- Murcia Volunteer Portal (Portal de Voluntariado de Murcia)
- Valencia Social Volunteering Platform (Plataforma De Voluntariat Social de la Comunitat Valenciana)
Key initiatives
Several initiatives have been implemented to promote youth volunteering:
- Erasmus+ INJUVE and European Solidarity Corps (ESC): INJUVE coordinates several youth-focused volunteering projects, including those under the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+, which provide opportunities for Spanish youth to volunteer abroad and for international youth to volunteer in Spain.
- University of Youth and Development (CEULAJ): The 21st edition of this event was held at CEULAJ (Euro-Latin Youth Centre) in September 2022, focused on "Peace, justice and strong institutions". It aimed to enhance youth participation in decision-making and promote youth cooperation and global youth work through volunteering.
- Youth Volunteer Camps (Castilla y León.): In 2023, the Youth Institute organised several volunteering camps in different autonomous communities, such as those held in Castilla y Leon, which aimed to promote values such as coexistence, tolerance, solidarity, participation and interculturality among young people through collaborative volunteering experiences..
- The Reconoce programme: A key initiative launched in 2018 through collaboration between INJUVE, Don Bosco, Didania Federation and ASDE Scouts Spain to officially recognize the skills gained through volunteering. This initiative aims to improve employment opportunities for young volunteers by accrediting competencies acquired during their service.
- Fundación Esplai - Voluntariado.net: Launched in 2000, this initiative continues to offer information, advice and resources to enhance volunteerism across Spain.
- Universia - University Volunteering: this university network in Spain, offers a platform for university students to access volunteering opportunities, connecting them with organisations and events related to social action.