The Youth Policy Management Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia is announcing a competition for the volunteer development program within the Volunteer of Georgia 2018 project framework, starting from June 6 up to July 3, 2018. Volunteers – aged 16 to 25, will be selected from 64 municipalities across Georgia including Tbilisi (two candidates will be selected from every two municipalities).

The aim of the program is to strengthen the volunteering institution, develop a unified network of volunteers throughout Georgia, raise awareness of volunteering amongst the youth, increase the number of people interested in volunteering in general, and encourage the idea of ​​unselfish labor on behalf of the community.

The first stage of the competition

During the initial stage of the competition, young people who wish to participate in the program will have to fill the application form according to their respective region from June 5 to July 3, 2018 on the following website: http://youth.indygo.ge/. Applicants qualifying for the second stage are selected on the basis of the application forms.

The second stage of the competition

Candidates qualified for the second stage will face an interview. The coordinating non-governmental organizations, selected by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia will participate in the selection process, resulting in unveiling two winners from each municipality.

The following factors will be taken into consideration

• Candidates aged from 16 to 25 years;

• Motivation and communication;

• teamwork skills;

• Public and civil activity;

 In total, 148 motivated volunteers from Tbilisi and 64 municipalities across Georgia (two volunteers from each municipality) will be selected, who will pass a 5-day training-seminar on the following topics:

 • Volunteerism and recruitment of volunteers;

• Communication and presentation skills;

• Forms of communication with public institutions;

• Writing projects and attracting funds;

• Other issues related to the implementation of volunteerism.

Upon the completion of the training-seminar, each volunteer will be awarded with the certificate and will be granted the status of "volunteer of Georgia" till the end of the year.

The volunteers chosen within the program will be able to contribute to the benefit of the public by using their own free time, knowledge and skills by the end of 2018. Additionally, the conducted volunteer work will be in accordance with the needs and peculiarities of the respective local municipality. Various initiatives will be implemented in Tbilisi and across the regions such as: creating volunteer special clubs, environmental activities, charities, assistance of people with different needs, social activities, screening, foreign language course, promotion of a healthy lifestyle (sports competitions, marathons), celebration of various occasions, organizing creative evenings, meeting with the famous celebrities, and more.

Volunteers participating in the program will be able to:

• To undergo a 5-day training-seminars for free;

• Take part in various activities held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science;

• Engage in international volunteer services;

• The best volunteers of the year will be identified and awarded.

Additional information can be obtained from the Program Coordinator - Senior Specialist of the Second category of Youth Programs Division of Youth Policy Management Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia - Ana Khabareli Tel: 599428244; E-mail: akhabareli@mes.gov.ge