3rdSector.eu is a Leonardo-funded Transfer of Innovation project that aims to build the capacity of third sector organisations in Europe, by delivering accredited training for people who manage volunteers.

A healthy and vibrant third sector (which includes voluntary and community groups, charitable organisations and social enterprises) can support all European states to better achieve their objectives. The third sector across Europe is large and becoming more influential. In all states the third sector has the potential to support the sustainable renewal of society.

However, many third sector organisations experience significant challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers, and volunteer involvement requires a framework of good practice. Good management processes are needed to attract and enable volunteers to contribute, and to ensure they receive the benefits of volunteering. Frequently the people who manage volunteers do it as an 'extra' to their real job, and so they often cannot prioritise the needs / rights of the volunteers.

The partnership* delivering this new programme is made up of experienced Leonardo project partners based in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Austria, with a third sector volunteer based organisation from Turkey involved to help ensure the needs of third sector groups are prioritised. The project is led by a leading UK third sector training and development group.

3rdSector.eu objectives

• To share information, guidance and support between partners on the delivery of accredited vocational qualifications in management to third sector organisations
• to train at least 6 trainers (2 each from Greece, Bulgaria and Italy)
• to deliver an accredited Managing Volunteers qualification
• to deliver (via the trainers) a pilot course to 18 (6 in each country) third sector managers, enhancing their abilities and understanding
• to help the volunteers 'hosted' by these organisations to experience more rewarding volunteering
• to investigate (and if appropriate develop) links with networks for the dissemination of information and guidance to trainers supporting third sector groups; and,
• to review, clarify and support the links with European models of vocational education and training (ECVET & EQF) relating to third sector qualifications.

*Project Partners:

PNE Group, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK – HRDC, Patras, Greece – BDA, Sofia, Bulgaria – ENTER, Graz, Austria – Legambiente Umbria, Perugia, Italy – KDA, Kusadasi, Turkey.