VALUE - Volunteering and Lifelong Learning in Universities

VALUE - Volunteering and Lifelong Learning in Universities in Europe

The VALUE (Volunteering and Lifelong Learning in Universities in Europe) Network is a Grundtvig Network, comprising 20 organisations representing Universities, and more concretely Lifelong Learning Centres within Universities and volunteering organisations and networks/associations (from both sectors) from 13 European countries.

Aim of this Network:

To facilitate and stimulate the development of cooperation between Universities and the volunteering sector in the delivery of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) to volunteers/volunteering organisations staff – that is: flexible learning opportunities and accreditation pathways that respond to both formal and informal learning gained through volunteering activities.

VALUE will further develop collaborations among Universities and volunteering organisations. It will do this by:

presenting, exploring models of cooperation and illustrating good practice
building a web based resource kit to support such activities
producing a report on VO-ULLL partnering in 12 partner countries
organising a final conference for volunteering organisations, universities and learners to share experiences.

The activities that the VALUE will develop are:

network meetings
individual and sub-group research and the production of reports
Sub-group activities will focus on 4 themes which impact upon University–Volunteering interaction. These are: older learners, employability, intercultural dialogue and citizenship.

Participanting organisations:

University of Liverpool, UK [applicant organisation]
Volunteering England (Institute of Volunteering Research), UK [CEV member]
University of Graz, Austria
CSV.net, Italy [CEV member]
W. J. Grabski Public Library in Ursus District (Warsaw), Poland
INHOLLAND University of Applied Science, The Netherlands
Pro Vobis Volunteer Centre, Romania [CEV member]
Netherlands Olympic Committee - Netherlands Sport Confederation, The Netherlands
University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, Slovenia
Social Guild Foundation, Hungary
C.A.R.D.O., Slovakia [CEV member]
Middle East Technical University Continuing Education Center, Turkey
University of Hamburg, Germany
University of Barcelona, Institute For Lifelong Learning, Spain
ILKYAR VAKFI - Elementary Schools Aid Organisation, Turkey
University Babes-Bolyai, Romania
Leuphana University of Lueneburg, Germany
European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN), Belgium
European Volunteer Centre (CEV), Europe
Third Sector Observatory, Spain

Role of CEV in the Network:

CEV is the European Liaison and Dissemination partner. Its main tasks are:

To attend selected Management group meetings to bring CEV's specific expertise to the discussions regarding development & exploitation of the resources - e.g. feedback on EC-level contacts/ review ongoing resource development within subgroups;
To attend final conference in Turkey - as a speaker/participant;
To meet/network with policy makers/other relevant bodies at European -level to expose them to the work of the project & to engage them in the debate around the 4 themes
To suggest /contact expert speakers at EU level to address subgroup themes at network meetings 2/3
General dissemination - electronic, leaflet distribution etc. In addition having the 3rd network meeting attached to the CEV General Assembly that will allow for very concrete dissemination - e.g. an open session for non-partners to attend.

VALUE Timeline [October 2008 - September 2011]:

October 2008	1st Network & Management Group Meetings [UK]	Production of national reports [Oct. 08 - Nov.09]
March 2009	2nd Management Group Meeting [PL]
November 2009	2nd Network & 3rd Management Group Meetings [SE]	Editing reports [Oct. 09 - Jan.10] Sub-group work/meetings [Oct.09 - July.10]
September 2010	3rd Network and 4th Management Group Meetings [BE]	Edit/pilot resources &website [April.10 - Jan.11]
March 2011	5th Management Group Meeting [IT]	Finalise resources & website [Jan.11 - April11]
May 2011	Final Network Conference & 6th Management Group Meeting [TR]
September 2011	7th Management Group Meeting [UK]

VALUE leaflet can be downloaded here.

To visit the VALUE website, click here.