Volunteer Community Conference 2024 is taking place in Ukraine: the largest forum of volunteers of Jewish communities

From November 14 to 17, 2024, the Lviv region will host Volunteer Community Conference 2024 — the largest event for volunteers of Jewish communities in Ukraine. This year the conference brought together 550 participants from 25 Ukrainian citiesconfirming its status as the main platform for sharing experiences, training and strengthening the volunteer movement.

History and goals of the conference

International network Volunteer Community already Has been actively developing the volunteer movement for 10 years in Ukraine. This is the third year the conference has been held and its main goal is to provide volunteers with the resources and knowledge to be even more effective in their communities.

Alex Schmidtdirector of JDC programs in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of volunteering:

“The volunteer movement has changed in 10 years. Today it is not only about helping here and now, but also about creating strong, developing communities.”

What does the conference program offer?

The conference is designed for four busy dayswhich include:

• 110 lectures from professionals and invited experts from Israel.
• Master classes on methodology, risk management and project management.
• Creative workshops and relaxation activities.
• Introducing new practices in the field of volunteering.
• Creative activities and family gatherings, including Shabbat celebrations.

Volunteer Community operates in 7 countries and helps tens of thousands of people in need every year. This year, special attention is paid to integrating international experience and strengthening local communities.

Key topics and speakers

The conference organizers brought together leading experts who touched on current topics:

1. Community development: how to improve interaction within and outside volunteer groups.
2. Innovative approaches in project management.
3. Volunteering trends: what a modern volunteer needs to know.

“The main thing in volunteering is not only helping, but also creating long-term connections that change society,” – noted one of the speakers.

A unique approach: a combination of learning and relaxation

Volunteer Community Conference is not only work, but also relaxation. Participants had the opportunity to:

• Exchange experiences with colleagues from different cities.
• Relax in a peaceful atmosphere with their families.
• Get inspired for new projectshaving learned about successful cases of other communities.

“This conference not only helps volunteers become better people, but also gives a feeling of strength and unity,” – the participants share.

Volunteers are the engine of change

Volunteer Community proves that volunteering is the power to change lives. The organizers set ambitious goals for themselves, teaching participants how to do good not episodically, but systematically.

“We believe that everyone can volunteer: once a month or every day – it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to change the world for the better,” – say the Volunteer Community.

Table: basic facts about Volunteer Community

Implications for Ukraine and Jewish communities

Volunteer Community Conference 2024 demonstrates that volunteering is not just a job, but a basis for strengthening social connections. Forum participants proved that even small efforts can bring big changes.

Volunteer Community. 550 participants of Jewish communities from 25 Ukrainian cities take part in it is a unique movement that unites Ukraine and Jewish communities around the world.

Follow events in the world of volunteering with NAnews — Israel News!