ESC: LONG TERM VOLUNTEERING AT A MAKERSPACE IN LATVIA

Valmiera Region Community Foundation is philanthropic organization that supports local people’s initiatives to improve their lives in Valmiera and its surroundings, emphasizing that our own resources and capacity can do a lot of good work. Fundraising and communication with our donors and local community is our main job. Meanwhile, we coordinate EVS, Erasmus+ and ESC projects since 2013, but host volunteers in office – since 2016. Valmiera Region Community Foundation is a modern charity organization that supports initiatives by local inhabitants for community development in Valmiera vicinity and in the District of Vidzeme stating that using own resources and energy together we can carry out many good activities and events. The principle of work of the Foundation is based on the basis of the world`s community foundations which can be characterized by two major paths of work, namely, raising funds and support of local initiatives. The goal of VNF id, first, develop community philanthropic ideas and purposeful donation traditions in Vidzeme area by involving local entrepreneurs and general publics. By promoting volunteering work is one of fund raising activities, explaining that volunteering is one of the resources for local community development. Secondly, we support and provide funds for local initiatives from funds given by local businesses and inhabitants. During 15 years of work funding has been given to more than 300 projects. Thirdly, based on local needs the Foundation provides social support to families in need or disadvantageous situations. Fourthly, another direction of work is youth engagement and educating in charity work. In 2007 Youth Bank was formed as a place where young people learn values of civic society such as charity and participation through self-engaging activities. The youth group is to carry out various fund raising activities with an aim to raise funds which later will be given for youth proposed initiatives. The Quality label for Valmiera Region Community Foundation expired at the end of the year 2021. Since the Foundation and our Partner organizations is willing to continue working with the ESC Projects the Foundation as the hosting and supporting organization is applying for the Quality Label. During 5 years of project implementation we have acknowledged the great contribution the volunteers can bring to the local community as well as we, as the hosting and support organization, have learned a lot and gained valuable experience in project management work.