Volunteers and volunteer organizations from all over the country can submit applications to take part in the Festival of Volunteers between September 13 and November 22. The winners will be awarded in the 13th Festival of Volunteers on December 6, IPN reports.

By three awards will be conferred in the 11 categories of the contest. Those who want can apply to compete in such categories as: most active organization that promotes volunteering in Moldova, most active volunteer coordinator, most active journalist who promoted volunteering in 2015, best essay entitled “Volunteering versus active aging: solutions and challenges”. Awards will be also given to persons who promote volunteering by photos and images, the most active imitative groups, the best volunteering project and public persons involved in volunteering.

The contest organizers included a new category this year – most active international volunteer. “This award will be provided to volunteers who have worked in our country for many years and played a very important role, especially in rural areas. In Moldova, we have volunteers who represent different international organizations. These work with dedication for the communities of Moldova,” said the Festival’s project assistant Ana Indoitu.

“The Festival of Volunteers is an expected event. It is a moment when we meet and celebrate together and enjoy the results achieved during a year,” said Nicolae Procopie, secretary of the Coalition for the Promotion of Volunteering Law and Activities.

In three of the categories, the participants will be divided according to the place of residence – urban areas and rural areas.

The Festival of Volunteers is an event held to publicly recognize the work results and merits of volunteers. It is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport with the support of UNFPA Moldova, the Chisinau City Hall and the Coalition for the Promotion of Volunteering Law and Activities.