A part-virtual, part-live European Solidarity Corps (ESC) mid-term evaluation training was organised by the Slovenian national agency Movit, in which volunteers based in the EUSA Office also participated.

EUSA, through its Institute, is a proud European Solidarity Corps quality label owner, being able to host and take part in volunteering activities, jobs and traineeships, as well as solidarity projects, supported by the European Union and Movit.

The current COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to conduct face to face training with ESC volunteers, resulting in the Slovenian National Agency of Erasmus+/MOVIT Slovenia’s decision to host an online training programme, of which EUSA volunteers Ms Amelie Bury, Mr Tomasz Olszewski and Ms Zrinka Tabain were involved.

Taking place between May 18-27, the training saw the volunteers split into three groups, with two trainers overseeing each group and their activities. Two online sessions were scheduled each day during which the volunteers shared their reflections and experiences, focusing on how volunteering has shaped and influenced them. The volunteers were also able to learn about future opportunities and responsibilities of volunteers regarding finishing their projects, while also getting a chance to meet new people – until then in an online form only.



With the COVID-19 situation then improving and restrictions lessened in Slovenia, the trainers and ESC volunteers were finally able to meet in person. On July 2 and 3, the volunteers were able to participate in a short two-day meeting organised by Movit in Ankaran, Slovenia. This more informal meeting let trainers catch up following their respective online group meeting group, focusing on the experiences of the volunteers during the second part of May and June, as well as their future plans.

The meeting also allowed many ESC volunteers to finally meet each other in person for the first time after meeting them online. As the formal part of the mid-term evaluation took place online, volunteers were involved in various team-building and self-organised activities. With the addition of good weather, it presented the perfect opportunity to relax and rest at the Slovenian seaside, before returning to the EUSA Office the following week.



For more information, please see http://www.movit.si and https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity.