Volunteering department
The Volunteer Office is now also available online.
As your point of contact for all matters related to volunteering, we are here to advise and
assist you with your needs. Please feel free to contact us with any questions!
Our areas of focus:
- Funding opportunities: Research funding pots and information on new guidelines and funding programs
- Networking/ training/ contact initiation
- Advice and information on competitions and tenders
- Provision of information on regulations and legal requirements
- Provision of practical assistance
New volunteer portal for the Erzgebirgskreis district goes online
With the launch of the new online portal www.ehrenamt.erzgebirgskreis.de, the Volunteer Services Office at the Erzgebirgskreis District Administration has created a new digital resource for volunteers, clubs, and other organizations in the Erzgebirgskreis district. To convey the benefits of the new platform to users in a concise and clear manner, an animated video was produced, which can be viewed on the district administration’s YouTube channel, among other places.
From the main office for the voluntary work - following this claim, work has been carried out over the last six months in cooperation with 599media GmbH from Freiberg on the development of the information and exchange platform. In addition to the conception, design and creation of the pages, topics were researched and edited. The website pursues comprehensive and ambitious goals: it is intended to make volunteer work more visible, provide information and support, contribute to digitalization, qualify and network.
All functions of the new online platform can be used free of charge.
Volunteer database
To get as many clubs and organizations on board as possible from the very start, 2,700 volunteer-run organizations have already been identified and registered with the help of the district’s 59 municipalities, among others. These organizations will receive their login credentials for the database by mail in the coming days. Of course, this initiative is open to all volunteers—so organizations or individuals who have not yet been registered can do so at any time.
Using a map tool in conjunction with a radius search and other filter options, the database makes it easier to find clubs that do not yet have their own website, for example. They have the opportunity to present themselves on their own club page, enter contact details, upload logos or images, publish news, draw attention to offers and events and place bids and requests.
Notice board
Whether it's a beer tent, a helping hand, or building materials for a new project: whatever you're looking for or offering on a non-commercial basis can be found all in one place on the digital bulletin board.
Volunteer calendar
The tool allows you to post events. Even though in-person events are currently rarely possible due to the pandemic, the calendar feature still offers real value. For example, digital training events can be posted and promoted free of charge.
Engagement guide
At the same time, the Volunteer Services Office developed a guide for volunteers. Designed as a handbook and resource for personal use, it provides volunteers with an overview of key topics related to volunteer work. The guide’s eight chapters include tips—for example, on topics such as donations, taxes, fundraising, GEMA, GEZ, funding opportunities, and recruiting volunteers—and provide information through practical advice and guidelines.
There will be regular additions on new topics and further, needs-based updates. The guide is now available to download free of charge. We will inform you promptly on our website about the issue of printed copies.
Other functions of the online portal:
- Clearly arranged news area by category
- Overview of free training courses
- Funding: Basics / selected programs / research
- digital toolbox
- monthly newsletter
"Full-time office strengthens voluntary work" project - background, work status and outlook
Since January 1, 2020, the Erzgebirgskreis has been participating in the joint project “Full-time Staff Strengthens Volunteer Work” as one of 18 districts nationwide through its subproject “Specialized Office for Supporting Volunteer Work in Rural Areas.” It is the only model region in the Free State of Saxony.
The primary goal of the federal rural development program is to strengthen rural areas and thereby contribute to equal living conditions in urban and rural areas.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Deutscher Landkreistag e. V. (DLT). V. (DLT).
With the launch of the new volunteering portal, the project modules "Recording volunteer structures" and "Creating a central information and exchange platform" have been completed. At the same time, this has created a better basis for ongoing project objectives such as "Supporting the acquisition of volunteers" and "Public relations work to raise public awareness of the importance of volunteering".
The next step will be to conduct a needs survey among volunteers and supporting organizations. After evaluation, the data will be made available to all participants and made accessible to the public. The corresponding survey has already been designed and the content prepared. The launch planned for May will be extensively communicated and accompanied by publicity in order to encourage as many associations, organizations and volunteers as possible to participate.
The results of the survey form the basis for further concrete implementation projects.
The initiation of networking and training events is planned for the second and third quarters of 2021. Subject to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, these are planned as face-to-face meetings.
In addition, the Volunteering Office will continue to push ahead with the expansion and further development of the volunteering portal.