Rue Joseph II, 166, 1000 Bruxelles, +32 2 234 38 60www.eurodiaconia.org - office@eurodiaconia.org

Eurodiaconia is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (2007-2013). Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Eurodiaconia is a federation of organisations, institutions and churches providing social and health services and education on a Christian value base throughout Europe. Eurodiaconia is registered as an AISBL in Belgium.

April 10, 2023

Volunteering in Diaconia – empowering, transforming and reconciling civil society

Brussels, BE

WHO ARE WE?Platform for diaconal actors in 22 European countries

Diaconal department of churches (Church of Sweden)

Church related providers of social and health services (Diakonie Osterreich, Diaconia Valdese)

Christian based providers of social and health services (Kofoedskole in Denmark)

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EURODIACONIA MEMBERSHIP

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MISSION STATEMENT

Eurodiaconia represents a dynamic, Europe wide community of organisations founded in the Christian faith and working in the tradition of Diaconia, who are committed to a Europe of solidarity, equality and justice.

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OUR GOALS

1. Transformation through Praxis

2. Transformation through Advocacy

3. Transformation through Identity and Values

VOLUNTEERING IN DIACONIA

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LOCAL VOLUNTEERING

WHY IS VOLUNTEERING IMPORTANT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CHURCHES AND DIACONIA?

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SOCIAL INCLUSIONVolunteers are main agents when it comes to

social inclusion through their engagement with

those at risk of social exclusion

Enables people that are at risk of being socially

excluded with ways to be connected

to society

International volunteering and local volunteering provide opportunities for intercultural learning which is key in the fight against xenophobia, racism and discrimination

Social Inclusion = Strong civil society and active citizenship

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VOLUNTEERS ARE ACTIVE CITIZENS

Volunteering is key expression of active citizenship

European values of solidarity and social cohesion

Volunteering encourages participatory democracythose engaged in volunteering are directly or indirectly working to improve society for all at a local, regional and national level

Voluntary activity facilitates the involvement of local actors who become empowered through participation, involvement and action.

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A TOOL OF EMPOWERMENT Providing a platform for getting people back into education or employment and in general, tapping into people’s potential.

The concept of empowerment also links to our Biblical and diaconal understanding of creation by ensuring that each person can respond to the God given call to care for creation

Acts 20:35: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.

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COMMUNITY LIFE

Volunteers can improve the quality of social and health services

Bringing ownership of the services by the community: Local volunteers can help build community cohesion as they bring innovative perspectives to the service and can provide a source of local knowledge about the community.

They can provide care that is user-focused, holistic and

responsive to the community's needs.

Volunteering is also an invitation to participate in and improve the life of the community

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WHAT ARE THE TRENDS?At least 3 / 10 Europeans volunteer

80% of Europeans say that active participation in society is a crucial part of their life

Eurodiaconia members witness an increase of volunteering

We estimate over 600, 000 volunteers across our membership

Regular volunteering short term, sporadic, or project based volunteering

Volunteers are more specific in their requests

Potential for increase of volunteering lies in corporate volunteering (CSR programmes)

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CHALLENGESChallenge to meet skills and needs

Need for more specialized skills

Need to engage the working populationYoung people who are skilled give up when they find work

Some countries there are legal obstaclese.g. asylum seekers cannot volunteer

Lack of financial resourcesE.g. To reimburse volunteers

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CHALLENGESVolunteering and social services in times of austerity

Not a substitute for paid staff‘Voluntary activities need to be clearly distinguishable from paid employment and should by no means replace it’ (EPSCO Conclusions on Voluntary activities in social policy)

Volunteering is not cost free cf Commission communication

Volunteering is freely given, not compulsory

Protection of the European Social Model‘Voluntary activities can not replace the overall responsibility of the state to ensure and provide economic, social and cultural rights.’ (EPSCO Conclusions on Voluntary activities in social policy)

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Thank you for your attention

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Volunteering in Diaconia