Recognition of volunteers’ skills and competences within the context of non-formal and informal education and training systems in sport Simone Digennaro University of Cassino, Faculty of Sport Sciences EuroVolNet, Riga, 23 rd -25 th September

Lessons from the past

Starting point Volunteerism has an important role in the society Recognition of skills and competences in the context of formal-non formal and informal education (good example but a lack of a global strategy) There is an important player sitting on the bench

Starting point

Starting point (the last one!) Factors that motivate individuals to volunteer are Personal interests; Social benefits; Social responsibility; Opportunity to participate; Acquisition of new skills/competences and experience; (professionalisation) …

Do ut des (I give so that you may give) Higher level of personal skills and competence required Higher level of education; aim to be involved in more stimulating activities New strategies to attract volunteers

Thus,… Organisations have a crucial role in matching the expectations of today’s volunteers and Organisation are required to find new way to attract and engage people and Organisations are required to give more in terms of opportunities, quality of activities, education and training, etc.;

Notwithstanding,… There is evidence to maintain that the level of training given to volunteers is overall considered insufficient (meta analysis); There is also evidence about a certain number of limitations associated with the application of the VNFIL; Solutions?

What EU and Members States are required to do? EU and Member States are required to revise and implement laws and legislation in order to foster the recognition of volunteers’ skills and competencies within the context of non-formal and informal education. EU is required to support Member States’ practices. EU is required, in collaboration with the Member States, to put in place the European agenda of the Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning (VNFIL) ….but…

And what about sport organisations? >

What sport organisations are required to do? Stand-up from the bench! Improve the level of training given to volunteers; Develop or enhance their capacity (skills, knowledge and abilities) to effectively recruit, focus, and support volunteer resources; create a platform for communication, best practice exchange; Support the application of the VNFIL Agenda; Make better of of HRM tools; Influence social policy;

An attempt to conclude… Today, recognition of volunteers’ skills and competences within the context of non-formal and informal education and training systems is a crucial issue for the sport system; European Union and Members States are required to further implement policy and strategies adopted in the field, but a direct and more concrete involvement at grass-root level is also required; Networking and bridging can be considered as two concrete actions organisations can put in place. Increase awareness about learning outcomes of non- formal and informal education;

Recognition of volunteers’ skills and competences within the context of non-formal and informal education and training systems in sport Simone Digennaro University of Cassino, Faculty of Sport Sciences EuroVolNet, Riga, 23 rd -25 th September