Opening presentation by Giovanni MozzarelliMs. Coutrney Zukoski, Microsoft Ukraine, presenting Employee Volunteering Program of the companyParticipants of the seminar for corporate volunteerism

The participants of the training got acquainted with the opportunities that corporate volunteering (CV) programs provide and volunteerism in general not only in theory, but also learned about such practices from companies and NGOs.

Mr. Giovanni Mozzarelli, UNV Program Officer, mentioned that “the essence of volunteerism is in providing opportunities not only for average people, but also communities in general” and talked about different forms of volunteerism. Mr. Mozzarelli also talked about the so-called V-effect or the effect of multiplier caused by volunteerism activities. He expressed readiness of the UN Volunteers program to provide support in brokering CV programs of the private and public sectors.

Ms.Yuliya Shcherbinina, Public Private Partnerships officer, shared with the participants benefits of corporate volunteering for businesses, community and employees-volunteers. Summing up, Ms. Shcherbinina listed constituents of the successful volunteer programs, such as leadership and commitment, company policy, recognition, dialogue, etc.

Moving to the CV practice section, Ms. Courtney Zukoski, Microsoft Ukraine and Ms. Olena Vlasenko, Ernst & Young. Ms. Zukoski presented Microsoft company policy in regard to CV at the international level and its successful implementation in Ukraine which includes trainings on internet safety for youth, various charitable activities, work with children in orphanages, etc. Among challenges Ms. Zukoski mentioned limited CV program geography (Kyiv only) and absence of the substantial proposals from the non-governmental sector.

Ms. Olena Vlasenko, Enst& Young, shared with the participants the history of foundation of the charitable committee in the company which has become the core for volunteer activities. The activities of the company, according to Ms. Vlasenko are various and range between charitable activities for socially unprotected children and trainings on topics close to core business.

Ms. Olena Skachko, chief editor of the magazine «Edinstvennaya” shared the experience of engaging employees not only of the media holding but other companies for joint initiatives. According to Ms, Skachko, one of the best examples demonstrating such practice is the program “Road to Success”

Mr. Yakov Rogalin, Director of the Fund ‘Dobrota”, provided a success story of the Fund in Donetsk region, where besides 5 thousand donors they were able to engage a great number of volunteers. Also Mr. Rogalin mentioned that it is worth not limiting the concept of corporate volunteerism to the private sector exclusively since “corporate” can be more than just that.

After the presentation of the speakers participants of the training had an opportunity to discuss a number of issues regarding CV as a constituent of corporate social responsibility and exchanged ideas on how to implement such programs in their companies and organisations.