Volunteer Management in European Parks
GRUNDTVIG Multilateral Project “Volunteer management in European Parks” (11/2010-10/2013)
Ten members of EUROPARC Federation from eight different countries co-operated in the project with the aim of professionalizing volunteer management in European protected areas. The project was financed by the EU in the GRUNDTVIG/Lifelong Learning Programme. For detailed information see www.volunteers-in-parks.eu.
What were the goals of the project?
- highly skilled volunteer coordinators in European protected areas who can deliver effective opportunities for people to volunteer in protected areas
- sustainable high quality and efficient volunteer management in protected areas
- learning opportunities for volunteers, park staff and hosting protected areas that enhance practical and vocational skills, communication, inter-personal and project organisation skills
- opportunities for volunteers und park staff to broaden their horizons in educational and cultural terms
- promotion of the culture of active citizenship (volunteering in parks as active and creative means of being European citizens)
- higher park and public awareness about the value of volunteering
- higher quality and acceptance of informal lifelong learning through volunteering

Common activities:
- international workshops for volunteer coordinators in parks
- compilation of learning material for volunteer coordinators
- international exchange of volunteers in parks and park staff
- elaboration of quality standards for volunteer management in European parks
- research on the impact of volunteering in protected areas
- communication and dissemination
The partners were:
- Association of Lithuanian State Parks and Reserves
- The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), UK
- Environment Agency of Iceland
- EUROPARC Atlantic Isles
- EUROPARC Federation
- EUROPARC Germany
- EUROPARC Spain
- Federparchi – EUROPARC Italy
- Nature Conservation Agency, Latvia
- Rodna Mountains National Park Administration, Romania
Silent partner: EUROPARC Nordic-Baltic