The 6th Meeting of EU Project „Enhancing Volunteering Actions and Quality in Europe” (EVOLAQ) Held in Finland City news

Daugavpils City Council together with Norrkopping  municipality in Sweden (lead partner) implements project „Enhancing  volunteering actions and quality in Europe” (EVOLAQ) within the framework of  European Union Programme “Europe for Citizens”, 2^nd activity “Democratic engagement and civic participation”. The project involves 8 partners from 7 countries: Italy, Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Croatia, and Finland.

The goal of the project is to increase the level of knowledge of volunteering actions in Europe, raise the involvement of citizens in volunteering, as well as share experience between European cities - how to support volunteering in municipalities.

From 10^th till 12^th of April a meeting was held within the framework of this project in Ilmajoki, Finland, where Daugavpils City Council participated as well. Project partners had an opportunity to become acquainted with a positive experience motivating volunteers in different fields, for example,   building and construction works, social care and other fields. Their approach to volunteering must be highlighted due to the fact that volunteers in Ilmajoki help to implement large scale projects (not only in the field of social care), as well as to improve infrastructure. This way the greater part of society benefits from it. There was a discussion about different methods of approach when working with volunteers who help to organize cultural events. The experience of collaboration with volunteers in Daugavpils, organizing different kind and level of cultural events in the city, was spread as well. Last project partners meeting was held in Daugavpils, but the next is planned in May, in Italy.

By coordinator of the project J.Reča-Lāže