euro 2008 forum skill share platform 2

8/14/2019 EURO 2008 FORUM Skill Share Platform 2

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Platform 2

The new UK Programme for Young VolunteersA brief introduction

Cliff AllumChief Executive Officer, Skillshare International

President, International Forum on Development Service

Presentation to FORUM Conference 27 June 2008


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DfID decides to support youngpeople in volunteering

Support for young volunteers has been excludedfor many years

2006 policy change a line in a policy paper

March 2007 consultation on youthvolunteering, links with diaspora, and interns


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DfID vision Enabling young people from disadvantaged

backgrounds to have an opportunity

Offers young people:

An experience with long-term benefit

Enable young global citizen champions

Influence peers and encourage them to do thesame


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Twelve months later 10 million programme announced

Focus on less advantaged young adults (18-25years old)

Fully funded by DfID

Implementation by Christian Aid, Islamic Relief,and BUNAC

Called Platform 2


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You may not know BUNAC

BUNAC offers a range of working holidays including a

summer camp counselling programme in the USA andCanada, flexible work and travel programmes toCanada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Britain andSouth Africa and volunteering/teaching placements.These are open to 18 year olds and over in the UK, theUSA and Ireland. Programmes last from five weeks totwo years.


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Platform 2

Your Platform to Change the World

10 weeks, 1 trip, a life changingexperience

Three year project Which means around 800 volunteers a

year

Funding average: 4,000 per volunteer


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Where will the volunteers go?

South Africa

Ghana

Peru

India Malawi

Nepal


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How does it work?

Volunteers are selected individually but go

in groups of between 10 and 15 and staytogether to work on a project

Live and work with local communities andfellow volunteers

Support through local organisation that

acts as in-country partner


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Eligibility

18-25 years old

UK Passport holder

Living in the UK

Attend training and events before traveland on return:

One day pre departure workshop

Three day residential return workshop


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What will you contribute? youll make a real difference to the community

working on projects such as: Constructing community buildings, play areas, hand

pumps

Caring for and teaching children in orphanages Working with community school groups on

environmental projects

HIV peer education

Youll be away for about 10 weeks


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What will you need to have or gain?

you dont need any specific skills

you do need enthusiasm and an openmind

youll learn a lot about yourself


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Why is this significant?

Young people are back on the agenda

Strong public engagement focus

Brings in new organisations to

volunteering Use of competitive bidding rather than

strategic partnership funding

Are we coming full circle?

euro 2008 forum skill share platform 2

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