Mezinárodní portál pro podporu dobrovolnických aktivit mládeže Erasmus Project

Project Title

Mezinárodní portál pro podporu dobrovolnických aktivit mládeže

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy) ; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The goal of the project, based on the demands of active young people, was to develop a unique international portal for youth organizations that will support and promote them and their activities, develop their joint cooperation and motivate young people to volunteering, social entrepreneurship and personal development. The project was implemented as part of a strategic partnership between the Academic Centre for Students Activities (ACSA) and SRVS obcianske zdruzenie, Slovakia. As a part of the first output, an analysis of the existing system was carried out. Based on the proposals for innovation and improvement of technical equipment and new extensions of the information system, the system core and database structure modifications were carried out to support new modules. In the second output, the available solutions for the creation of mobile websites and the possibility of their use for the portal were analyzed. A combination of them has been used to optimize the portal’s mobile interface. The third output was the creation of the Slovak version. Within the fourth output, the content management system was extended to support more mobile specific blocks; the proposed redesign was implemented to the website templates and navigation. In addition, an analysis of existing portal modules was carried out and modifications and extensions of existing modules were proposed. Proposals were implemented. The new module Humanity became the biggest challenge. Its scope eventually exceeded the original intention and we spent much more time implementing it. At ACSA, we created a special program for Humanity, where we will continue to work after the end of the project. A Facebook page has been created for the program. All texts of the new portal have been created and translated into Slovak and English. Last but not least, thorough testing of the whole system and elimination of identified problems has been carried out. Within the last output, materials promoting a new portal were created. We have designed and created promotional leaflets containing the description of the project and “Humanity” program, both in Czech and Slovak language. We also created a roll up, which was used for promotion at dissemination events and is displayed in a classroom where seminars, courses and conferences are held regularly for young people. Leaflets were received by each student participating in the ACSA events. Leaflets for the Humanity program were also distributed at Brno’s colleges and at several student events. We carried out six multiplier events, two of them in Slovakia. The first event presented the project’s objectives and how we want to contribute to the involvement of young people in socially beneficial activities. The participants were presented with the plans for the new Alumni and Humanity modules and we gathered their requirements for the functionality of modules. The second conference focused on how student and youth organizations, initiatives and movements can contribute to the development of young people. In addition, local and international cooperation of young people was discussed. The third event discussed the issue of how to run a successful organization, this time with a focus on communication and information technologies and the benefits of their use in organizations. The fourth event focused on the functioning of organizations and their involvement in humanitarian activities. The participants were presented how we want to contribute to the involvement of young people in humanitarian activities and how our platform will work. At the workshop, participants were actively involved in the development of the Humanity module. During the team work they proposed possible attributes for the classification, selection and categorization of humanitarian activities and volunteers. In particular, we have investigated the concerns and the biggest barriers for the volunteers to take a part in a mission. At the fifth event, participants were presented with the support their organizations can gain through our portal, the principles of engaging in humanitarian activities and their selection and the connection with humanitarian organizations. Based on the feedback from participants of the workshop “Find a volunteer in you”, we found out what other adjustments will help to improve the international portal, mainly on selection criteria. The last event held in Slovakia was similar to the previous one with the principles of humanitarian activities done through our portal explained. Within the project, also several humanitarian organizations were negotiated for their involvement in the Humanity program. After completing the project, we want to further expand and customize the portal to satisfy all stakeholders and to maximize efficiency. We will continue to develop the database of youth and humanitarian organizations, volunteers and promote sharing know-how among them. We believe that the portal will become a long-term benefit for young people.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 303530,69 Eur

Project Coordinator

Akademicke centrum studentskych aktivit & Country: CZ

Project Partners

• SRVS obcianske zdruzenie