V as VALUE- Volunteering recognition as a Value Added at Local level for the Universal development and growth of sport in Europe

Background The project idea stems from the need of volunteerism to enhance economic and social inclusion of volunteers and the role of sport as means to transmit values on mental and physical wellbeing. Volunteerism is important for three reasons: the enhancement of the personal and professional skills of the volunteers; as a point of reference for young people and a vehicle to transmit values; an added value to increase number and quality of sport activities to provide more accessibility and wellbeing. Objectives The main aim of the project is to enhance volunteerism in sport field as an added value for the promotion of sport in Europe. The specific objectives aim to collect and exchange good practices, identify and test an educational programme, to enhance the possibility to access to the sport field for young people living in disadvantaged neighbourhood, and to spread awareness about volunteering in sports as a means to promote social inclusion, active participation and citizenship and well-being. Implementation Although the Covid-19 hit, the project progressed as planned. To begin with, a kick-off meeting was held to get to know the partners, to define roles concretely, to plan and set internal deadlines. The identification and sharing of good practices followed. Then, the training format was created and the training was tested at the local level. Then, the international meeting for multipliers was organized, followed by the national pilot activities. Finally, the educational programme and the MOOC. Achievements The results have been reached despite the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic. First, the Intellectual Output 1 is composed of good practices and the administration of a survey to volunteers. Second, The IO2 includes the guide for the training programme and the local activities in each country. Third, the MOOC, an online free course to learn how to create an effective training program for involving, selecting, and retaining volunteers in sports environment in the different social aspects.