With highs and lows, 2017 is nearing its end. It is a good time for conclusions. On this occasion, IPN has gathered good thought from all over the globe, this time only good thoughts, from decision-makers and from those on the receiving end of these decisions. What good has come of 2017? This is the question we posed to the people who have accepted to join us in our pursuit of the good in our surroundings and in the events that affect us. Although many things do not follow our wishes, winners are the people and societies that learn to see challenges and lesser things as extra opportunities to get involved and make things better. For each of the topics we approach, we provide rankings that reflect the opinions of those who developed them. Read further for the good things 2017 has brought in the field of volunteering.
---
Top-5 from the Coalition for Promoting Law and Volunteering Activities ( the Volunteering Coalition) and partners:
1. Instituting the function of Coordinator of volunteers into the national Classification of Occupations of the Republic of Moldova.
2. 138 organizations and institutions have obtained the status of Host Institution of Volunteering Activity, by offering high standards of quality and protection of volunteers and beneficiaries of volunteering activities.
3. The 2017 National Volunteering Conference (CNV), organized in partnership with the Parliament, Government, APL and development partners.
4. Involving 23186 volunteers in the 2017 National Volunteer Week
5. The Government of Moldova has awarded, including during the 15th edition of the Volunteers Festival, 60 diplomas and awards for individuals and legal entities who contributed to growth in the field.
Top-5 from the Social Mission “Diaconia”:
1. Active involvement of youth in Diaconia projects (social canteen, social cleaners, moms in need, etc.)
2. Involvement in charity events (children’s marathon, Christmas campaign, Easter campaign, etc.)
3. Developing communities with the help of volunteers
“Youth clubs are created, through mini-grant awards to projects that are developed and presented by volunteers.”
4. Summer camps organized by volunteers for children from different regions of the country.
5. Organizing several activities for volunteer training in different fields, but also motivational activities: animation school, experience exchange, pilgrimages, camps, team building, etc.
Top-5 from the National Youth Council of Moldova (CNTM)
1. CNTM accredited as EVS beneficiary organization (European Voluntary Service).
“This opportunity allows CNTM to expand to an international level. In 2017, the CNTM has hosted four international volunteers, and has participated in four experience exchanges.”
2. CNTM has become a Host Institution of Volunteering Activity.
“There have been three campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize youth to become volunteers within the National Youth Council of Moldova and its member organizations. Thus, over 150 youth have become part of the organization, have become involved and have benefited from opportunities.”
3. The “Youth.md” platform has been launched, created by youth for youth, which activates on a volunteer basis, and is lead by a team of volunteers.
4. The Youth Festival was organized; it gathered over 250 people and involved over 30 volunteers.
5. A campaign for mobilizing and raising awareness among youth about the possibilities in academic mobility, national and international volunteering, involvement in National Volunteers Week, etc.