K-Space Toolkit for Follow-up trainings

Table of contents

Educational spiral

Volunteers’ preferences

Volunteers' motivation

Keeping in touch with volunteers

Promotion & communication (post-arrival)

Checklist

K-Space Toolbox

Explore

Volunteers' motivation

Building upon the previous chapter's exploration of volunteer preferences for joining international workcamps, this section explores their motivation and interests following their initial participation. We aim to understand what factors influence their willingness to participate in a second workcamp or engage in other activities organized by the sending organizations. Below, you will see the results of the research, divided into three parts - first, we take a look at how volunteers think about joining further workcamps, then we see if they are interested in joining other types of activities with their sending organisation. Lastly, we also take a look at what discourages them from participation.

Further workcamps

60% of workcamp participants participate in only one program, while 20% participate in two and another 20% participate in more than two.

60% of participants: Only participated in one workcamp. This suggests that a majority of volunteers may have a one-time experience and not necessarily seek repeated participation.

20% of participants: Attended two workcamps. This indicates a significant portion of volunteers find the experience valuable enough to participate again.

20% of participants: Participated in more than two workcamps. This highlights a dedicated group of volunteers who are highly engaged and motivated by the workcamp experience.

This data provides valuable insights into volunteer behavior and preferences. Understanding the distribution of participation can help sending organizations tailor their strategies to:

Encourage repeated participation: Initiatives that enhance the initial experience and foster a sense of community can incentivize volunteers to return for further workcamps.

Build on to the motivation of volunteers: As the topic of the project is very important for the volunteers, we should not just offer a variety of workcamps with different locations, project types, and durations, but we have better to offer for the “one-off” volunteers a similar topic next year. This can boost to the interests of volunteers, potentially attracting those who participated only once.

Recognize dedicated volunteers: Acknowledging and appreciating the commitment of those who participate in multiple workcamps can strengthen their connection to the organization and inspire continued involvement.

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Country details:

CZ: More than half of the respondents (54%) participated in a workcamp for the first time. Almost one quarter participated for the second time (24%), and around 8% of respondents participated for the third and fourth time (Graph 4.). (140 in total)

DE: More than half of the respondents (61%) participated in a workcamp for the first time. Almost one quarter participated for the second time (19%), and around 14% of respondents participated more than four times (Graph 3.). (51 in total)

HU: Over 70% of respondents participated in the workcamp once. 18% twice and 7% of respondents participated free times (71 in total)

Czech Republic

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Germany:

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Hungary:

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When asked why they continued volunteering after their initial workcamp, respondents most frequently cited the following factors, listed in order of decreasing frequency:

Positive first experience: A fulfilling initial workcamp experience often motivates individuals to seek similar positive experiences in subsequent camps.

Meeting new people and forming lasting friendships: The social aspect of workcamps plays a significant role, with volunteers valuing the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and build strong bonds.

Learning and personal growth: Workcamps offer opportunities to acquire new skills, knowledge, and perspectives, fostering a sense of personal development.

Cultural exchange and intercultural encounters: Immersion in different cultures and the chance to broaden one's understanding of the world are strong motivators for continued participation.

The inherent value of volunteering: Contributing to meaningful projects and making a positive impact resonates deeply with many volunteers, encouraging them to continue their involvement.

Building strong relationships with other volunteers: The sense of community and shared purpose fostered during workcamps creates a desire to maintain these connections through further participation.

Additional factors, mentioned less frequently, include:

Self-awareness and personal challenge

Contributing to community development

Daily interaction with people from different cultures

Affordable travel and exploration

Stepping outside one's comfort zone and personal growth

Exposure to inspiring environments

Language learning opportunities

The chance to experience new places, cultures, and people

The meaningfulness and value of the volunteering activities themselves

Other activities

Based on our research there is a clear interest in additional activities beyond workcamps, although participation varies across countries and opportunities. The most common barriers are lack of awareness and time constraints that prevent further engagement.

Here's a summary of participation in other activities after workcamps:

Hungary:

Youth Exchange: 23 participants (32%)

Training courses: 18 participants (25%)

Volunteering/internships: 17 participants (24%)

Long-term volunteering: 4 participants (6%)

Czech Republic:

Training for workcamp leaders 15 participants (10%)

Educational and development activities 9 participants (6%)

"For one day" activity 5 participants (4%)

"INEXup" activity 3 participants (2%)

Germany:

Exchange and evaluation seminars 8 participants (15%)

While 40% of respondents expressed the most interest in participating in another workcamp, a significant portion also showed interest in exploring the organization's other activities. However, key barriers like lack of time, lack of awareness, and unclear involvement channels hinder their participation.

Addressing these barriers presents an opportunity:

Improved Communication: Enhancing communication efforts about available activities could raise awareness and pique potential participants' interest.

Expanded Activity Offerings: Exploring the possibility of diversifying the organization's activity portfolio could attract a wider range of interests and encourage further engagement.

By implementing these strategies, the organization can bridge the information gap and potentially unlock a greater pool of participants eager to contribute beyond workcamps.

Demotivating factors

Here's a summary of the factors discouraging further volunteer engagement:

Common Barriers:

Time constraints: This is the most frequently cited barrier

Lack of awareness: People might not be aware of the opportunities available, leading to disengagement.

Language concerns: The potential fear of inadequate English language skills as a barrier.

Mentality and personal priorities: A broader societal tendency to not prioritize volunteering or community involvement, and a high need for paid opportunities.

Additional Factors:

Distance: Living far away as a logistical barrier to participation.

Financial considerations: Potential costs associated with volunteering.

Activity preferences: Personal interest and schedule compatibility.

Dynamic aspects: The workcamp experience is unique regards its social and international dynamics, what other local opportunities lack of.

Understanding these diverse barriers can help organizations develop strategies to encourage continued volunteer engagement:

Improved communication: Raising awareness about available opportunities and addressing potential concerns regarding language skills or financial burdens can attract more participants.

Flexible options: Offering a variety of activities with different time commitments and locations can cater to diverse needs and schedules.

Strong support systems: Ensuring clear communication channels, providing guidance, and addressing any concerns during participation can foster a sense of security and encourage continued involvement.

Summary

These responses highlight the significant potential for post-workcamp volunteer engagement. Here's how organizations can support it:

Provide ongoing support: Offer guidance and resources to connect volunteers with suitable long-term, local, or international opportunities.

Highlight diverse options: Showcase the variety of volunteer programs available, catering to different interests, time commitments, and aspirations like leadership roles.

Build a community: Foster a sense of belonging and connection among past participants, encouraging them to stay involved, share experiences, and inspire others.

By supporting and facilitating continued volunteer engagement, organizations can create a pipeline of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact and contributing their skills and experiences to meaningful causes.

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