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to know one other, setting personal objectives and expectations and introducing the general
objectives of the workshop. Participants were invited to discuss the definition of volunteering and
the motivations for engaging in volunteerism. Next, participants were divided into working groups
according to thematic discussions: the enabling environment, organizational level and individual
level. These groups were asked to identify barriers and issues, and develop activities to address
them, including the identification of key stakeholders and anticipated outcomes. These activity
suggestions provided inspiration for the development of project ideas which was the last part of
the workshop.
In order to achieve maximum input from all participants, each thematic working group was invited
to provide input and feedback on the others’ proposed activities. Groups were, in this manner,
able to prioritise their activities and incorporate ideas and suggestions from their peers and other
stakeholders. Participants were subsequently invited to vote on the proposed activities developed
by other groups. This helped each working group prioritise its activity development, as well as
being an innovative way of engaging participants outside of their own working groups.
Although discussions were left free and unrestricted to allow for participants to discuss different
issues openly, suggestions were classified according to the capacity development framework
developed by UNDP 7 . This framework seeks to identify the barometers of capacity development
where capacity is grown and nurtured:
An Enabling Environment
Setting the overall scope for capacity development, the enabling environment is the system
in which individuals, organizations and society as a whole operates. This includes legislation,
social norms and balances, and both written and unwritten rules—all of which are important
determinants for civic engagement.
Organizational Effectiveness
An enabling environment provides building blocks which determine the level of effectiveness of
an organization’s internal structures, policies and procedures. With an enabling environment in
place, organizations will be empowered to bring together all relevant stakeholders and individuals
to harness capacities in such a way that the potential for organizational growth is maximized.
Individual Engagement and Empowerment
In addition to providing channels for experience, knowledge and skill development, organizational
effectiveness and an enabling environment are core requirements to maximizing individual
engagement. An environment that empowers individuals to build their capacities through
increased access to resources and experiences will, in turn, further enhance an organization’s
effectiveness, thus contributing to the development of an enabling environment.
7 UNDP. “A Capacity Development: A UNDP Primer.” October 2009.
Young volunteer plants a tree during the Caravan of Volunteerism in Tunisia (Lotfi
Ghariani/UNV, 2013)
UNV Findings Report
Introduction