European University Sports Association (EUSA), EUSA Institute and Association for Development of Voluntary Work in Novo Mesto (DRPDNM) organised a seminar on volunteering in sport, held on 23 of November, in the City Hall of Municipality of Ljubljana.

The event was organised within the framework of the international volunteer project Work for a Cause - Serve for Sport (W4C), co-financed by the European Union programme Erasmus+.

The seminar was opened for active participation of representatives of organizations and individuals working in the field of volunteering and sport; as well as for young people experienced in volunteering in sport. The event was intended for everyone who is interested in the topic and wants to learn more about the activities and volunteer opportunities.

Participants in the seminar of volunteering in sport

Moderated by EUSA Communications Officer Ms Hristina Hristova, the seminar started with a welcoming speech of Mr Dejan Crnek, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ljubljana, who highlighted the importance and the diversity that volunteering offers, stating that the city of Ljubljana is promoting and supporting volunteering in sport, for a long period of time.

Following the opening words of the Deputy Mayor, Mr Matjaz Pečovnik Secretary General of EUSA, thanked the municipality of Ljubljana for the great and long collaboration and support that EUSA receives throughout the years, while highlighting the importance of volunteering for EUSA and for all sports events that EUSA organises.

Mr Matjaz Pecovnik with Mr Dejan Crnek

First of the guest speakers, sharing the experience related to volunteering in sport, was Mr Andrej Pisl, EUSA Communications and Project Manager, who spoke about the types of volunteering opportunities EUSA has, why volunteering is so important for the organisation, while highlighting the important steps that are done and needed to be done in the future to promote and empower volunteering in sport, even more.

Mr Andrej Pisl, volunteering in university sport

Next to speak about the project Work for cause - serve for sport, was Ms Tjasa Kozjan, Project Manager at the Association for Development of Voluntary Work in Novo Mesto. Ms Kozjan shared details about the project itself, the activities done in the frame of the project, the outcomes, goals and future foreseen results.

Ms Tjasa Kozjan, Work for cause - serve for sport

Presenting in detail, the organisational plan for the European Youth Olympic Festival, that will take place in Maribor from 22-29 of July, 2023, was Ms Katja Zizek, responsible for coordinaton of the volunteers. She shared details about this volunteering opportunity, inviting all interested to take part in it.

Ms Katja Zizek, EYO Festival

Mr Ivo Tomc, shared his recent working experience as coordinator and mentor of the volunteers engaged in the EHF European Handball Women’s Championship 2022, that partly took place in Slovenia,. He pointed out varous organizational and technical aspects of the work with volunteers, participating in such a big international sport event.

Mr Ivo Tomc, volunteering on international sport events

As part of the guest speakers was also Ms Tjasa Slatic, sharing her personal, extensive experience as volunteer in multiple national and international sports event in Slovenia and abroad. Ms Slatic stated that volunteering is much more than a short-term work, it’s a source of many friendships, knowledge, experience and future opportunities.

Ms Tjasa Slatic, personal volunteering in sport experience The seminar was wrapped up with Q&A session, discussing possible future collaborations and actions of support and promotion