Lots of people are called volunteers, not always justifiably. Therefore, it is essential for officials to understand the legal basis of the volunteer movement and the mechanisms for involving citizens as volunteers.
Mykhailo Shelep, decentralisation and local self-government adviser of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme’s Regional Office in Rivne Oblast, coordinator of this issue, emphasised this during the event on the legal aspects of organising the volunteer activity of local self-government bodies:
“The volunteer movement means a positive and useful human activity that should be both noticed and supported by municipalities. We all realise that the authorities have limited resources, and it is not only the financial component, but also additional resources, extra workers during restoration work, support for people, etc. There are certain unresolved problems in each municipality, and the volunteer movement is able to address them. Therefore, the local self-government bodies must understand the proper way of legislative support for these people.”
The expert believes it is necessary to start with the powers of local self-government bodies regarding volunteer activities in order to understand the legal basis for the involvement of volunteers. Local self-government bodies have to promote information about organisations and institutions involving volunteers in their activities by posting relevant information on their websites and in local media. It is stated in the Law of Ukraine “On Volunteer Activity” No. 3236-VI.
The Law also says that local self-government bodies should provide favourable conditions for volunteer activity, raise its social status, create prerequisites for the development and support volunteer activity in Ukraine.
According to Mykhailo Shelep, there are currently two ways to involve people in volunteering. One is well-known and proven via NGOs or charitable foundations. Local self-government bodies may cooperate with them, in particular, by signing memoranda or agreements. However, if the municipality has no NGOs involving volunteers, or there are certain areas where no one is involved, then the second method may come in handy as local self-government bodies may directly and independently involve people in volunteer activities. They can even conclude agreements on volunteer activities.
Following this thesis, the speaker of the event, Yulia Naida, volunteer programme expert of U-LEAD with Europe and head of YurShtab NGO, explained to the participants of the information session who is entitled to involve volunteers. Thus, according to the Law, only non-profit organisations and institutions listed in the Register of Non-Profit Institutions and Organisations can involve volunteers in their activities. Local self-government bodies are also non-profit organisations and are listed in the relevant Register. This is also confirmed by the National Social Service of Ukraine, which has developed a separate form of agreement on volunteer activities for local self-government bodies. This means that local self-government bodies are also entitled to involve volunteers!
Yulia Naida noted that when it comes to involving volunteers, local self-government bodies should be aware of the legal framework defined in the legislation. Firstly, a volunteer is an individual performing socially oriented non-profit activities on a voluntary basis by providing volunteer assistance. Secondly, volunteer activities are allowed in the areas specified in the Law and others that are not prohibited by legislation (assistance to people in difficult life circumstances, including victims of hostilities, environmental and cultural heritage protection, assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, etc.).
“What are the ways volunteers can help local self-government bodies? This list is not exhaustive. It may also include the provision of humanitarian supplies, overcoming the consequences of missile attacks (rubble removal), providing fire protection and civil defence of the municipality, IDPs’ integration into the municipal life, etc. The volunteer movement contributes to strengthening the cohesion and resilience of the municipality. Each and every municipality can share examples of aid collections organised on the initiative of volunteers,” said Yulia Naida.
The information session also covered the specifics of involving volunteers in certain areas, the terms and details of agreements on volunteer activities to be concluded by local self-government bodies, mechanisms for reimbursement of volunteers’ expenses, the procedure for issuing volunteer certificates and useful tips on volunteer accounting. The participants also considered the algorithm for getting government financial assistance in the event of a volunteer’s death or injury (contusion) and the role of local self-government bodies in this process, as well as the legal basis for involving citizens in volunteering.
During her speech, Yulia Naida stressed that the issue of involving volunteers by local self-government bodies is new, and therefore U-LEAD experts keep on studying it and searching for good practices:
“It is important for us to get feedback from municipalities with their stories and cases.”
Mykhailo Shelep concluded the event by informing the participants that the U-LEAD Programme offers group and individual consultations for officials on the involvement of volunteers by local self-government bodies.