PRIORITIES

The Inter-American Center for Volunteer Development (ICVD) is a key outcome of the International Federation's efforts to strengthen volunteerism and regional strategies in the Region of the Americas to provide better services to National Societies, its top priorities and key services are:

Personalized support to national societies

The main component is personalized support to NSs according to their specific needs and plans. The International federation offers a country-specific approach to Volunteering development, designed by NS together with the Cluster offices in the countries and with the support of ICVD, offering technical support to NS.

Technical support system

In order to complement the customized support plans, the regional approach also includes the development or adaptation of necessary generic tools and knowledge sharing. An important component in the volunteer development program for the Americas is to establish peer support to share knowledge and learn from existing experiences in the region.

Provide strategic guidance

The ICVD ensures the implementation of the Volunteer Development Framework (VODFRA), in addition, it supports the review and development of policies and strategies for Volunteering in National Societies that consider the promotion, motivation and recognition of the achievement of volunteers. As part of this priority, the ICVD guides the work of the International Federation in the Americas to integrate Volunteering and Youth in all aspects of the programming and services of the Federation and in the long-term planning of the National Societies of the Americas. Region, in addition, creates analyzes and baseline studies on the state of Volunteering in the region to make informed decisions and develop evidence-based regional strategies for Volunteering and youth development.

Support leadership development and innovation:

Disseminates and guides the National Societies and Federation Units in the new trends that occur in Volunteering such as Corporate Volunteering, virtual volunteering, a better inclusion of those specific sectors of the populations that wish to be volunteers: elderly people , disabled, university students, academic staff, professionals, schoolchildren and the use of new technologies and social networks.

It also develops leadership programs by creating opportunities for volunteers to gain experience in program management and planning and leading their own activities, as well as providing opportunities for participation in international spaces.

This includes promoting the recognition of young people as agents of change and enabling young people to take leadership roles in positively changing behaviors and attitudes in their communities using peer and non-formal educational methods.

Volunteering in emergencies, protection and security

When an emergency occurs, there are already volunteers on site. They perform: First Aid, rescue people from collapsed buildings, drive ambulances, brave floods, promote healthy practices, and provide comfort to those in need.

The ICVD provides tools and guidance in situations where volunteers leave their normal day-to-day activities and become involved in crises, emergencies and conflicts, also known as volunteering in emergencies.

The essential components of Volunteering in emergencies are the level of preparedness of National Societies and a strong Volunteer management system. It considers both the services provided to vulnerable people and the needs of volunteers during the emergency, including psychosocial support and protection from harm through insurance, training, and appropriate guidelines that guide emergency volunteering.

Knowledge management, education and learning

Produce, adapt and disseminate manuals, training, tools and good examples on the development of Volunteering. The optimization of Volunteer management systems based on exchanges of ideas and experiences on volunteer databases, together with an effective adaptation of the Volunteer management cycle to the specific context of different National Societies. It also promotes e-learning opportunities.

Encourage training with partners

Networks and within the movement facilitate the operation of agreements with educational institutions and other organizations that work in the development of volunteering. It coordinates with National Societies, global and regional structures to ensure consistency in matters related to volunteering and Youth development. Provides personalized support for regional volunteer and youth networks and their representatives.