{"id":21637,"date":"2021-09-19T16:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T16:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/?p=21637"},"modified":"2023-03-07T07:58:50","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T07:58:50","slug":"vymena-osvedcenych-postupov-a-spolupraca-v-oblasti-humanitarnej-cinnosti-s-cielom-dosiahnut-zapojenie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/vymena-osvedcenych-postupov-a-spolupraca-v-oblasti-humanitarnej-cinnosti-s-cielom-dosiahnut-zapojenie\/","title":{"rendered":"Exchange of best practices and cooperation on humanitarian action to achieve engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exchange of best practices and cooperation on humanitarian action to achieve engagement<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behind the cryptic title \u201eExchange of good practices and Cooperation in Humanitarian Action to generate engagement\u201c, our project has a clear objective, namely to prepare non-EU organisations to welcome and mentor humanitarian volunteers coming from the European Union. Here we will guide you through the two-year cycle of this project by sharing activities from our trainings, trips or milestones achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>We participated in a training on the European Solidarity Corps, through which we plan to send volunteers abroad<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>26.4.2022<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23516 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Add-a-subheading-3.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We participated in a 2-day training on the deployment of humanitarian volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps programme (<a href=\"https:\/\/europa.eu\/youth\/solidarity_en\">European Solidarity Corps<\/a>). As part of the capacity building of the sending organisations, we learned more about the conditions for participation in the programme, the certification process of the organisations, how to send volunteers and the different activities that await us and our volunteers. The training was aimed at organizations that plan to send as well as receive humanitarian volunteers between 2022 - 2027. As we are one of the sending organizations, we decided to actively use this opportunity and consulted with the trainer on our proposals as well as practical details of the volunteer projects.<\/p>\n<p>The training was organised by the project partner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicusmundi.it\/\">Medicus Mundi Italia<\/a>. We are building the capacity of host organisations under the leadership of the Italian <a href=\"https:\/\/aspem.org\/home\/who-we-are\/?lang=en\">ASPEm<\/a> thanks to the support of the European Commission under the programme <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eacea.ec.europa.eu\/grants\/2014-2020\/eu-aid-volunteers_en\">EU Aid Volunteers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>What have the two years of cooperation brought? Our Serbian partners answer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>20.2.2020<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Welcoming foreign volunteers and preparing a safe and supportive environment for them in a foreign country is a process that we have learned a lot about over the last two years together with our three Serbian partners. But what is the impact of the EXCHANGE project on ourselves?<\/p>\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23519 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-7.png 940w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-7-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-7-768x644.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-7-14x12.png 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201eWe are delighted to have met some amazing, productive and hardworking people among our partner organisations and to have exchanged a lot of useful information on volunteer management. The project enriched us with a new perception of teamwork, collaboration and growth opportunities in consortia. It will definitely push us towards bigger projects and help us to establish successful partnerships in the future,\u201c says Aisha, project coordinator of the partner organization <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merhamet-sandzak.org\/\">Merhamet Sand\u017eak<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201eEXCHANGE gave me the opportunity to learn something new. Although I had previous experience working with volunteers, the project gave me new perspectives and a better understanding of volunteer management, which I will definitely use in all areas of my work,\u201c evaluates Vedrana, Programme Coordinator of the organisation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ehons.org\/\">Ecumenical humanitarian organisation<\/a> (EHO) from Novi Sad.<\/p>\n<p>Dragana, project manager of the organisation <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covekoljublje.org\/\">Humanity<\/a> adds: \u201eI would say it's more than just the implementation of the project. It's more than just implementation, it's collaboration and support that really strengthens our work.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>We are building the capacity of the Serbian organisations Merhamet Sand\u017eak, EHO and \u010covekoljublje (Philanthropy) under the leadership of ASPEm Italy, thanks to the support of the European Commission under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eacea.ec.europa.eu\/grants\/2014-2020\/eu-aid-volunteers_en\">EU Aid Volunteers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><br>Man changes, pandemic changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>24.04.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first practical meeting of the XCHANGE partners was due to take place in Bergamo, Italy. Unfortunately, covid-19, from where the pandemic is spreading dangerously across Europe, has chosen it as a \u201cdestination\u201d. We have replaced the conference rooms with online rooms. So we are learning a new way of working. So in the \u201donline\u201d we have already had briefings on project and financial management, or planning training in the light of changing circumstances.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21640 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1004\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-2.png 1004w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-2-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-2-16x9.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1004px) 100vw, 1004px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<h3><strong>We trained volunteers on safety and security<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>5.6.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today we again passed on our knowledge and experience on how to prepare for hosting volunteers. Good preparation determines the volunteer's contribution to the local community. Under the EU Aid Volunteers programme, all organisations have to go through several months of preparation, where they set up processes and rules on how to work with the volunteer, how to ensure their integration in the place of deployment, personal development as well as safety and security. It is precisely on safety and security that a lot of emphasis is placed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today's training we focused on risk management, health and safety prevention measures, and creating a communication or evacuation plan. The trainings are part of the XCHANGE project, where together with partners from Italy we are training organisations operating in Latin America, East Africa, but also in Europe. This time we met with partners from Serbia.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the way, today is World Environment Day, the theme of which is biodiversity. The threat being discussed is the loss of biodiversity. This is closely linked to climate change, which is also resulting in humanitarian crises. That is why these partnerships and exchanges of experience are important for dealing with global challenges and crises, as the coronavirus pandemic has shown us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21642\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"572\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3-16x9.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21643 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4-1024x734.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4-1024x734.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4-768x551.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4-16x12.png 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-4.png 1343w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21644 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5-16x9.png 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-5.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Certification for quality, professional, safe and targeted development and humanitarian aid<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>16.07.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last week, we completed the training phase, which prepares our partners from 7 non-EU countries to host expert volunteers. ADRA Slovakia as the only certified organization in Slovakia under the EUAV initiative is currently helping 3 Serbian organizations to become part of it. Specifically, the trainings covered the topics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SAFETY AND SECURITY. Did you know that, statistically, most deaths of aid workers are not even caused by exotic diseases or war, but by traffic accidents? Organizations undergoing certification must thoroughly analyze all risks and prepare measures to prevent them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS OF THE VOLUNTEER MISSION. From several years of experience in sending volunteers, we know how crucial it is to set up mutual cooperation so that, for example, a humanitarian mission does not get bogged down by interpersonal misunderstandings. Thus, causes that can be averted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The topic of NEED ANALYSIS is related to this. Host organisations need to undergo self-reflection, to be able to name where their weaknesses lie in fulfilling their humanitarian missions. The clash between the expectations of both organisations and volunteers and the reality must have a unifying moment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An important part of the cooperation is the sharing of experience in the named areas. Our partners Ekumenska humanitarna organizacija, Merhamet Sandzak, \u0427\u043e\u0432\u0435\u043a\u043e\u0459\u0443\u0431\u0431\u0459\u0435 - \u010covekoljublje have been working in the field of humanitarian aid for years, which is a very enriching element of this project. All three work with a wide range of vulnerable groups such as war-affected populations or internally displaced communities, the elderly, Roma communities, ex-prisoners and victims of violence. We believe that just as through our global Adra network, through our partnership with Adra Serbia, we can help in the current difficult situation with the coronavirus pandemic in Serbia, we will also be able to develop joint efforts through our building partnership in conjunction with expert EUAV volunteering with EHO, Merhamet and Covekoljublje.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21641 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-6.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-6-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-6-768x644.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-6-14x12.jpg 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21646 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7-1024x571.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7-1024x571.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7-16x9.png 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-7.png 1409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21647 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8-1024x467.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8-16x7.png 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-8.png 1133w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Closer to the goal&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>29.9.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our partner, the organisation \u010c\u043e\u0432\u0435ko\u0459\u0443\u0431\u0459\u0435 - \u010covekoljublje, yesterday \u201esubmitted a certification\u201c to host expert volunteers under the EU Aid Volunteers banner. We have accompanied \u010covekoljublje through this process in the form of training and mentoring in the preparation of internal rules in the area of security or specifics of volunteer secondment management.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u010covekoljublje has been operating in Belgrade, Serbia since 1991 and has extensive experience in humanitarian aid. In its early days it helped people affected by war, now in the former Yugoslavia. In recent years she has been working with various vulnerable groups such as victims of violence, the elderly, ex-prisoners, asylum seekers and many others. You can learn more about their meritorious activities here: https:\/\/www.covekoljublje.org\/en\/humanitarian-assisance<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fingers crossed that \u010covekoljublje will be successfully certified and will soon be able to welcome its first expert EUAV volunteers!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21648 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-1024x691.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-9.jpg 1573w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21675 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-10-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>We have submitted another certification<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>30.9.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ekumenska humanitarna organizacija, our other partner from Serbia, has also successfully submitted its certification, which allows non-European humanitarian organisations to host expert volunteers from the EU. Obtaining such certification is a prerequisite for safe and professional competence to carry out effective humanitarian work involving a volunteer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We would like to introduce you to the humanitarian focus of our partner EHO, with whom we hope to put our \u201ehands to work\u201c through volunteer assignments. EHO has been implementing its social and humanitarian aid in Novi Sad since 1993. Its work is specific in that it represents a cooperation of churches, which has led to the gradual establishment of diaconal groups consisting of 200 volunteers of different faiths in the Vojvodina region. It is proof that even traditional social structures such as churches can be a driving force in the development of civil society. Examples of their work include helping more than 5,000 people in need during the floods in 2014 or 2018, or repairing 480 dwellings. They provide material assistance in the form of food or school supplies to children from socially excluded Roma communities. Their focus and the groups of people they serve are truly diverse. For example, psycho-social assistance, health consultations, pastoral work, food aid, language assistance, job counselling and many others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fingers crossed!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21655 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-11-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-11-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-11-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-11-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-11.jpg 843w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>For the third time, another filed certification<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>3.10.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merhamet Sandzak is our third Serbian partner to bid for the opportunity to host European Union volunteer reinforcements in Novi Pazar in the Sandzak region. Merhamet, like EHO or \u010covekoljublje, has spent the last six months strengthening its internal capacities for the future involvement of expert volunteers. How exactly potential volunteers could be involved will be one of the tasks in the next phase of the project. For now, however, we will give you more insight into their activities and focus so far.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merhamet's humanitarian experience goes back almost 30 years, and its origins date back to the turbulent times of the establishment of an independent Serbia. Currently, Merhamet provides humanitarian and development activities in areas such as infrastructure support and improving the quality of life of marginalised groups in urban and rural areas. Among their recent achievements, we mention, for example, the construction of 17 prefabricated houses for the Roma community in Novi Pazar or returnees and IDPs from Kosovo. Merhamet is also assisting 120 hard-to-employ people and 20 members of the Roma community with vocational or retraining training.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thirdly, fingers crossed that Merhamet gets certified.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21649 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-12.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Getting ready for more activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>17.12.2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We met with partners in the XCHANGE project, which aims to prepare organisations and, indirectly, the communities they work with for long-term hosting of expert EUAV volunteers, for the last time this year. As otherwise, the meeting took place via the Zoom platform. We talked together about next steps - preparing training for future volunteer mentors and mapping good practice examples of how to effectively manage volunteers. We parted with a wish that in that next year the situation would allow us to continue our activities also in face-to-face meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21676 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-1024x288.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-300x84.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-768x216.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-1536x432.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-2048x576.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-16x5.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-13-1-2000x563.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Online volunteering opportunity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>9.2.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our partner ASPEm offers online volunteering opportunities for our joint project XCHANGE, in which we, as sending organisations, build the capacity of host organisations to receive European volunteers. The main requirement is knowledge of English, Spanish and Italian. The volunteer will assist with the creation of a digital library of volunteer management tools and other tasks within 6-10 hours per week. The duration is 6 months.  More information about the selection process <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aspem.org\/?vacancy=online-eu-aid-volunteer-mapping-volunteer-management-tools-deadline-for-application-28-01-2021&amp;lang=en&amp;fbclid=IwAR1CQ0bpWktSLK3ryFN7WQxyU9mk1qEz66cJrTs1glL8w5_BQ2jrnpXdEQA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can apply until 3.3.2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21677 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-14-1-2000x1334.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Successful certification<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>5.3.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are very pleased that our partners from Serbia, namely Merhamet Sandzak, \u010covekoljublje and Ekumenska humanitarna organizacija, have been certified under the EU Aid Volunteers programme, making them a trusted partner in hosting expert volunteers from Europe. The certification is the result of work over the past year in this project, where in a series of trainings and during individual mentoring sessions under the guidance of European organisations, the three Serbian and other partner organisations have been strengthening their skills, building processes, creating rules that will help them to effectively manage volunteer placements according to EU standards.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congratulations to our partners!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21678 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-15-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Share with us good practice in volunteer management<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>6.5.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparing our partners in low-income countries to host future volunteers is far from the end of certification. We are continuing with a series of trainings that will deepen our partners' skills in inclusive volunteering, effective communication, application of information technology in connection with different aspects of volunteering, etc. We are currently conducting an international survey to map examples of good practice in volunteer management. Together with 17 other organisations from 10 countries, we are mapping existing tools, manuals or case studies that demonstrate the successful integration of volunteering into the day-to-day work of an organisation, or the ways in which organisations manage volunteers.  It also includes a questionnaire survey, which is open to organisations from Slovakia. If you are one, or know one, please encourage them to contact us. Our knowledge of working with volunteers both nationally and internationally is valuable. Thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21679 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1-1024x657.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1-1024x657.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1-16x10.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Foto-16-1.jpg 1030w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Call for organisations: do you work with volunteers? Tell us how.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>9.6.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are still mapping examples of good practice in working with volunteers. Share your experiences and we will use them to make the work of our partner organisations in low-income countries more effective as they prepare to receive the expertise of hosting volunteers from the European Union. A digital library will also be an output. Last few days left to get involved. More info will be provided in the report (office@adra.sk). Thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Let's welcome Eilidh, our new online volunteer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>09.07.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHi everyone! My name is Eilidh Rose MacE\u00f2ghainn and I am an online EU Aid volunteer with ASPEm. I'm deaf, originally from Scotland and interested in the work of EU NGOs around the world. I have recently completed a PhD focusing on deaf education and skills in the context of the Global South. For this reason, I would like to learn more about the processes that NGOs in the EU undertake when working with NGOs in other countries. I am particularly interested in how organisations are improving their accessibility to the Deaf and disabled communities. By the end of October, I will be assisting the Xchange project consortium in creating an online resource library on volunteer management.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>With Slovak ADRA volunteers about volunteering abroad<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>6.8.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We finished the 2-week summer volunteer camp in Pohorelska Masha with a presentation about the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, which, in addition to sending volunteers from the EU to low-income countries, also involves building the expertise of local organisations through certification. After a long time, we were finally able to realize our \u201eADRA evening\u201c, although untypical. We introduced our local volunteers to how the whole broadcast cycle works, what all the participating organizations have to manage in order to host a volunteer. Through short exercises we also put ourselves in the shoes of future volunteers and their host organisations. Based on our own experience from the two weeks in Masha, we prepared a so-called needs assessment, i.e. an assessment of the needs of the Pohorel Masha social services home. In three groups we analysed the needs of the home from the perspective of the clients, the staff and the volunteers, and proposed possible solutions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We believe that the discussion was a pleasant end to our volunteering activities in Masha and at the same time a stimulating encouragement to try volunteering beyond the borders of Slovakia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21680 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-18-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-18-1.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-18-1-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-18-1-768x644.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-18-1-14x12.jpg 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21681 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-19-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-19-1.png 940w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-19-1-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-19-1-768x644.png 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-19-1-14x12.png 14w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Visit to the Slovak Embassy in Belgrade&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>7.9.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a long pandemic hiatus, ADRA is on the road. Project Managers Anna-Maria and Nikola are in Serbia, where they have a busy schedule ahead of them this week. Yesterday they had a meeting at the Slovak Embassy in Serbia, which is an important partner of all our activities in the country. We talked with Ambassador Fedor Rosoch about:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capacity building of local humanitarian organisations Ekumenska humanitarna organizacija, Merhamet Sandzak and \u0427\u043e\u0432\u0435\u043a\u043e\u0459\u0443\u0431\u0431\u0459\u0435 - \u010covekoljublje<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planned deployment of two Slovak volunteers to Serbia&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help homeless people in Belgrade with ADRA Serbia&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you for a pleasant meeting, constructive conversation and long-term cooperation! We will bring you more news from the Serbian trip soon!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>News from our trip to Serbia: Preparing local humanitarian organisations to receive volunteers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>13.9.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have finally managed to exchange computer screens for irreplaceable face-to-face meetings with our Serbian partners EHO, Merhamet and \u010covekoljublje . Our meeting consisted of training and sharing experiences in volunteer management, especially on the topic of mentoring, support for professional and personal development, as well as conflict management techniques. We also jointly discussed the adaptation to the changes in the EU Aid Volunteers programme, which will soon join the more well-known European Solidarity Corps programme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The host organization EHO presented its projects that help Roma communities, seniors, vulnerable women and children, migrant returnees and other vulnerable groups in Serbia with very complex and intensive activities. For example, the programme for improving the socio-economic situation of marginalised families in the Vojvodina region. It consists of helping children to maintain, improve or integrate into the school environment, including through individual mentoring. Their parents are helped to secure an income, for example in the form of mini-grants to start their own trades or similar business plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also saw the premises, where, in addition to project management, there is a laundry for the socially disadvantaged inhabitants of Novi Sad or a tailor's studio. In the studio, women who are hard to employ and women going through a difficult period in their lives, often with psychological trauma, find an encouraging environment. They take sewing courses here and subsequently make uniforms as well as fashionable clothes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was humanly pleasant to meet and speak to our compatriots, Serbian Slovaks, who have been living here since the time of Maria Theresa and are intensively involved in programs to help vulnerable groups in the EHO organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21682 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-21-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21683 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-22-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21684 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-23-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>To make volunteering fall on fertile ground<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>19.9.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is how we could name what we have been doing in ADRA Slovakia for a long time. In other words, in our projects supported by the European Union, we transfer to low-income countries the knowledge, tools and experience on how to manage the deployment of volunteers so that it bears fruit. This is what our visit to Serbia as part of the Xchange project was all about.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our first project meeting during the pandemic took place in Novi Sad and Belgrade. We were warmly welcomed by our colleagues from EHO - Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization. EHO presented us their team and activities - 5 program areas: 1) humanitarian work, 2) interfaith and interethnic cooperation, 3) diakonia, 4) social protection and 5) civil society, through which they are transforming the lives of vulnerable communities such as Roma, people with disabilities, children and youth growing up in adverse environments, migrants, etc. We have also introduced the activities of ADRA Slovakia.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This meeting allowed us to have a more authentic perception of the activities of local partners for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations in Serbia. The need for help is intense, meritorious activities are being done, which gives the potential to provide our help just by sending volunteers. Roma, seniors, women, homeless people have similar, often existential problems as in Slovakia. Our cooperation can thus be mutually enriching. We believe that we can only develop as a society if we do not forget the most vulnerable.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We trained on how to support the volunteer to reach their full potential and enrich both the organisation's team and the vulnerable people they serve. Partners welcomed our advice and especially our experiences, describing how we overcame barriers they may face in relation to volunteering. More through the lens below!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21685 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-24-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colleague Anna-Maria summarises the activities of the joint Exchange project, of which this week's meeting was a part. The project is part of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, the aim of which is to obtain certification (successfully completed). This confirms the mastery of management and standards in hosting expert volunteers from the EU. We are currently continuing to deepen our skills through training and experience sharing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21686 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-1024x821.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-1024x821.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-768x615.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-1536x1231.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1-2000x1603.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-25-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing from left are EHO colleagues, Milisav and Vedrana, who are directly involved in the Xchange project. Milisav also leads a project that supports the reintegration of socially disadvantaged people, the so-called \u201ereturnees\u201c from Germany. He has extensive experience in youth work and non-formal education. Vedrana started in EHO as a volunteer and is currently in charge of prevention and helping children who find themselves on the streets. In the middle is EHO's director Anna, who started leading it just at the time of the pandemic. Anna is a Slovak living in Serbia, and she strives to continue to enhance and sustain support for EHO's important programs. And finally our colleagues, Anna-Maria and Nikola from ADRA Slovakia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21687 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-26-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201eWall of hope\u201c or \u201eWall of hope\u201c. This beautiful wall is located in the EHO building and was created during its construction in 2006. The building was built to meet the needs of the organization through the support of church donors. It greatly facilitated the coordination of the work of the entire team, which until then had been operating in 8 rented spaces scattered throughout Novi Sad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mural aptly describes EHO's mission and vision - \u201eA Civil Society Promoting Human Dignity.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21688 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-27-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ADRA Slovakia project team, Anna-M\u00e1ria and Nikola, in the middle, together with their colleagues from \u010covekoljublje, Dragana and Milena, based in Belgrade. From left and right colleagues from EHO - Katalyn, Miroslava, \u017delka and from the other side Vedrana, Milisav and M\u00e1ria. On the canvas in the background Albina and Aisha from Merhamet Sand\u017eak in Novi Pazar. Unfortunately, due to the worsening pandemic situation, my colleagues were forced to stay at home and join via the zoom platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21689 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-28-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We started the trainings with the topic \u201eManaging volunteers\u201c. In the EUAV initiative, both sending and receiving organisations are involved and complement each other. Apart from supervision in achieving project goals, the key activity is mainly mentoring, which can change the whole perception of the project itself. If done well, it is a prerequisite that the volunteer will feel welcomed, integrated, expected, listened to, understood and supported. These are important circumstances that play a part in the volunteer successfully completing the activities and being motivated to commit fully to the project.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21690 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-1024x787.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-1024x787.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-768x590.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-1536x1180.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-29-1.jpg 1769w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are important steps to remember during the mentoring process. First of all, regular contact and reflection on the activities carried out. On a monthly basis, the mentor takes a close interest in the successes, the challenges the volunteer is facing, both in the execution of the tasks, but also in the integration, overcoming culture shock, the relationships he\/she is building with the local team, but also with the community members. Often these are different vulnerable groups. In addition, it is a mid-term evaluation of the secondment, when there is still time to avert unfavourable developments, especially if the activities are not progressing according to plan, or if it is not reaching the desired level of skills as defined in the individualised professional and personal skills development plan of the volunteer himself\/herself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21691 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-30-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For my colleagues Milena and Dragana from \u010covekoljublje, the timing of the training was perfect. Starting next week, they will host their first international volunteer, our Tamara, as part of the SlovakAid programme. So, you can look forward to hearing about and sharing the experiences of Tamara's year-long assignment in Kragujevac soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21692 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-31-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another key area or skill is to successfully manage challenges and conflict situations that may arise. These may stem from cultural differences, lack of communication or a different understanding of context. How to prevent conflicts, how to eliminate them and how to resolve them if the first two mechanisms fail, we reflected in the next part of the training.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21693 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-32-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These themes were lightened by an interactive activity in which all three organisations presented the distinctive features of their region's culture in a visual way. We learned many interesting facts about the cultural diversity of Serbia, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Vojvodina, which includes Novy Sad, where the EHO is based, recognises the rights of 6 national minorities, including our Slovak minority, which allows Serbian Slovaks to study in Slovak and communicate in Slovak in official relations. Novi Sad hosts the popular music festival EXIT, which is associated with a student demonstration against practices that oppress freedom and democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- Merhamet Sandzak from Novi Pazar told us a beautiful story about a volunteer who was helped to \u201ekick-start\u201c her talent for depicting the specifics of different places in an engaging way, which she started to do professionally - creating tourist guides. During her posting in their town, the volunteer noticed a local custom - taking off her shoes before entering. In doing so, she helped them discover something that they took for granted, but was unheard of for foreigners from Western countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">- our colleague from \u010covekoljublje, who is based in Kragujevac in addition to Belgrade, introduced us to the \u0160umadija region, the centre of which is this city. It is an area with beautiful nature, characterised by forest cover. We also listened to a song by the famous Serbian singer Olivera Katarina called \u201eSu, Su, Sumadijo\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21694 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-33-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The training included two case studies from the practice of ADRA Slovakia. In the photo we are discussing one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21695 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/foto-34-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final part of our weekly meeting was devoted to the process of transitioning the EUAV programme into the better known European Solidarity Corps programme. A prerequisite for joining the programme is to obtain the so-called Quality Label. This is to harmonise and adapt the volunteering experience within the ESC, which is slightly different from that of the EUAV.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q\">\n<h3 dir=\"auto\"><strong>SHARING EXPERIENCES IN BELEGRAD<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>30.11.2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<p>We spent last week in Serbia again, where we met with our partner organisations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/merhametsandzak\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWdyigLaEqZmngJaixTdp6B9Vj7sEo0Q3RjOGa7x0DF9O0cE3OAHekfIypngDFjq64AWMlVAmvDYMq8IAENb1lY36R2-bmcQchF31K-W178uwAdGZp44lnSNwB4cLrY41JJ71sOtIkywYdvVDcJ3_rG_ZD_rGbqxdXnKv2IGyKx_ISA1KhEFRQvkR54g7w3Qmw&amp;__tn__=kK-R\">Merhamet Sandzak - Official site<\/a>,<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/covekoljublje\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWdyigLaEqZmngJaixTdp6B9Vj7sEo0Q3RjOGa7x0DF9O0cE3OAHekfIypngDFjq64AWMlVAmvDYMq8IAENb1lY36R2-bmcQchF31K-W178uwAdGZp44lnSNwB4cLrY41JJ71sOtIkywYdvVDcJ3_rG_ZD_rGbqxdXnKv2IGyKx_ISA1KhEFRQvkR54g7w3Qmw&amp;__tn__=kK-R\">Humanity - Philanthropy<\/a> a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Ekumenska-humanitarna-organizacija-Ecumenical-Humanitarian-Organization-129586563727774\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWdyigLaEqZmngJaixTdp6B9Vj7sEo0Q3RjOGa7x0DF9O0cE3OAHekfIypngDFjq64AWMlVAmvDYMq8IAENb1lY36R2-bmcQchF31K-W178uwAdGZp44lnSNwB4cLrY41JJ71sOtIkywYdvVDcJ3_rG_ZD_rGbqxdXnKv2IGyKx_ISA1KhEFRQvkR54g7w3Qmw&amp;__tn__=kK-R\">Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization<\/a>. We have implemented another series of trainings and experience sharing in the field of volunteer management.<\/p>\n<p>All three Serbian organisations carry out activities with the help of local volunteers. It was very beneficial for us to hear how they involve volunteers, for example, in the integration of so-called returnees, i.e. people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who have not been able to get asylum in Western countries and had to return to Serbia. This process is particularly difficult for children, as they are often marked by trauma and do not feel at home either in Serbia or in the country to which they have migrated. The partners clearly agreed that without a supportive network of local volunteers, they would not have \u201emade these activities happen\u201c.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22140\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22140 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Covekoljublje described to us their complex process of selecting, training and coaching volunteers to help HIV positive people or to support people in the terminal stage of life.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22141\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22141\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22141 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22141\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The Ecumenical Humanitarian Organisation described its volunteer programmes based on the peer-to-peer principle, i.e. when children help children from disadvantaged backgrounds or seniors help their peers<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22142\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22142\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22142 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/3.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22142\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Merhamet shared with us their experience of involving volunteers in helping Roma communities who are also returnees. They help families with housing, adults with skills for the labour market and children with education.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>ADRA tries to support them by sending volunteers. For the last two years we have been developing tools, processes or building skills together to make volunteer engagement effective and beneficial. In particular, we are focusing on the context of receiving foreign volunteers, which has been the goal of our partnership so far. Support would be welcomed in the form of hosting international volunteers with specific expertise that they lack. Therefore, this time we have conducted trainings on needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22143\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22143\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22143 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/4.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22143\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>At the training, partners learned to better monitor and evaluate the actual impact of the volunteers' work.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22144\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22144\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22144 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/5.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22144\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>We have also provided partners with practical tools to help them properly profile volunteers so that their expertise matches the needs of local communities.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>All three organisations are grassroots organisations, i.e. active directly among the people, and of course we could not leave this aspect out. Together we visited our other partner, Adra Srbija, in the field. Under the Branko Bridge we observed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ADRADrumoDom\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWdyigLaEqZmngJaixTdp6B9Vj7sEo0Q3RjOGa7x0DF9O0cE3OAHekfIypngDFjq64AWMlVAmvDYMq8IAENb1lY36R2-bmcQchF31K-W178uwAdGZp44lnSNwB4cLrY41JJ71sOtIkywYdvVDcJ3_rG_ZD_rGbqxdXnKv2IGyKx_ISA1KhEFRQvkR54g7w3Qmw&amp;__tn__=kK-R\">DrumoDom<\/a> in action. The representative of the Slovak Embassy in Srpska, Mrs. Monika Podsklanov\u00e1 \u0160uhajdov\u00e1, also delighted us with her participation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22145\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22145\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22145 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22145\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">N<em>and a field visit to ADRA Serbia. At the time of our visit, the Drumodom team was providing assistance to one couple. Director Igor Mitrovic explained to our partners what services they provide to homeless people.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We also used our visit to Serbia to meet with our two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SlovakAid?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWdyigLaEqZmngJaixTdp6B9Vj7sEo0Q3RjOGa7x0DF9O0cE3OAHekfIypngDFjq64AWMlVAmvDYMq8IAENb1lY36R2-bmcQchF31K-W178uwAdGZp44lnSNwB4cLrY41JJ71sOtIkywYdvVDcJ3_rG_ZD_rGbqxdXnKv2IGyKx_ISA1KhEFRQvkR54g7w3Qmw&amp;__tn__=-%5dK-R\">SlovakAid<\/a> volunteers Dominique and Tamara, who started their volunteer assignments this autumn. We were pleased to see that both of them have already settled in, are familiarizing themselves with the mission of their host organizations ADRA Serbia and Covekoljublje, and are gradually gaining practical experience in the field.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22146\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22146\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-22146 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/7.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22146\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our volunteers Tamara (left) and Dominique (middle) are in Serbia helping with humanitarian and development projects thanks to the support of SlovakAid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":21696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[293,289],"tags":[317,320],"class_list":["post-21637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-novinky","category-vo-svete","tag-dobrovolnictvo","tag-kapacita"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21637"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23522,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21637\/revisions\/23522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adra.sk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}