Volunteer management in European Parks

Protected areas need their local communities and stakeholders to get more involved in their management. Volunteering is a great way to do this. This project provides an invaluable opportunity to advance existing approaches to Lifelong Learning through conservation volunteering and to find means of consolidating these as integrative parts of protected areas' volunteer management.

This GRUNDTVIG project runs from 01 November 2010 to 31st October 2013. The lead project partner EUROPARC Germany is coordinating activities of the following joining agencies: Rodna Mountains National Park Administration (RO), The Conservation Volunteers (UK), EUROPARC Atlantic Isles, The Environment Agency of Iceland, The EUROPARC Federation, FUNGOBE/ EUROPARC Spain, Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, Federparchi- EUROPARC Italy, The Association of Lithuanian State Parks and Reserves, and EUROPARC Atlantic Isles as "silent partner"

These partners have already cooperated successfully in GRUNDTVIG Learning Partnership "European Volunteers in Parks" focusing on the transfer of new skills and experiences in volunteer management and gaining experiences in the international exchange of short-term volunteers.

Objective and results

Project partners intend to disseminate innovation and good practice in the field of volunteer management and upgrade learning opportunities in the context of volunteering.

The project will produce the following outputs:

• Trainings for volunteer coordinators (VC), who manage, supervise and teach volunteers; ongoing exchange of vm material and methods
• Innovative learning material for VCin European parks
• Exemplary combined working/learning opportunities in parks for foreign volunteers and park employers for mutual tutoring, enhancing expertise, life skills and practical skills
• Guidelines for professional volunteer management in European parks
• Awareness-raising national seminars in the “Year of Volunteering” 2011,  focusing on volunteering and LL
• Report on benefits of volunteering in parks on local communities and volunteers,  especially referring to LL

For information on current activities and projects, visit Recent News and Volunteers in Parks.

The project aims to further the professionalisation of volunteer management in European parks by supporting the EU Lifelong Learning of Volunteers mission. Building a vital network of skilled volunteer coordinators in parks is essential for protected area management. In addition, more awareness is raised about the value of protected areas well as about the role of volunteers contributing to their protection, maintenance and care.

Contact Project Coordinator Bettina Soethe for more information.