Comperio experts participate in the development of the handbook for volunteer work

The association “Movement for Democratic Thought” in cooperation with the proficient team of authors has developed a handbook “Organisation of Volunteer Work in the Municipality.” It was funded by the Riga City Council Education, Culture and Sports Department. The handbook is a result of a group of contributors – one of them Comperio expert Gunta Misāne.
This handbook is meant for any employee of the local authorities, and it is particularly useful for those municipal employees who work with young people, provide social services to the citizens and are organising educational, sport and cultural activities in the municipality, as well as teachers.
Although the handbook is mainly meant for employees of the local authorities, we do hope that it will be useful also for representatives of any other organisation planning to involve volunteers to the work of the organisation and wanting to get prepared for this activity.
The handbook contains a general overview on what is voluntary work illustrating it with practical examples from the world and the Latvian experience, explains why people engage in volunteer work, why it would be useful for the municipality or any other organisation to attract volunteers. It describes the importance of volunteering in particular by promoting social inclusion, as well as provides insight into the volunteering situation in Latvia.
To facilitate implementation of volunteer programs in the municipality, the handbook provides practical advice on the legal basis for voluntary work in the municipalities; explains terms of attracting volunteers, their preparation for work, describes responsibilities, which could be entrusted to a volunteer, management of volunteer work in a municipality as well as evaluation of the volunteer work.
In conclusion a number of ways to raise funds for organisation of volunteer work in the municipality are identified, as well as guidance for where to obtain more information about volunteering is provided.
The handbook “Organisation of Volunteer Work in the Municipality” can be found on the website of the association “Movement for Democratic Thought”.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxrZGRsYXR2aWF8Z3g6NjdkOWI5ZGM1MTUxZjdmZg

Moldova Dialogue project assesses NGO participation in the decision making process in the government and Parliament

During March-April, 2011 the team of the Moldova Dialogue Project (full name – Promoting Broad Society Participation and Facilitating Policy Dialogue) organized a meeting with more than 60 Moldovan NGOs and analysed civic participation in the decision making processes in the ministries, the State Chancellery and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Comperio expert Gunta Misane was performing survey of NGOs covering economic sector – employer’s organisations, professional associations and trade union as well is taking part in planning communication about project.

The outcome of the study was the reform road map with a set of recommendations to improve the public participation process in Moldova. Recommendations were widely discussed with all counterparts. Based on the recommendations, a capacity building plan, targeted study tours with training seminars for involved parties and well as improvement of procedures were implemented during the second half of 2011.

The project is a result of post-electoral events of April 2009 in Moldova that brought about the need for a wide policy dialogue, strong civil society and communication and cooperation practices in all levels of decision making. Intense consultations were held during the summer of 2009 between the Council of Europe and the European Union to define the broad lines of technical assistance designed to address the major shortcomings and the riot caused that led to a serious breakdown of Human Rights protection mechanisms in the country. This resulted in a joint programme between the Council of Europe and the European Union “Democracy Support Programme in the Republic of Moldova”.

The Moldova Dialogue Project is funded by this programme. The project aims at Building the political dialogue among the politicians, public administration and civic society in order to promote broad society participation; building confidence and consensus in the society through efficient and transparent information flow in all levels of public administration and non-governmental sector; strengthening administrative capacity of NGOs.

The project is implemented by a Latvian company “Corporate & Public Management Consulting group” in cooperation with Saeima – Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia, NGO LAPAS – Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation, NGO Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments.

More information about project: www.moldovadialogue.eu.