What is the normative basis of volunteering in Bulgaria?
2011 was named the European year of volunteering in order to direct public attention to the vast amount of work done by voluntary organizations. In Bulgaria, since 2006 there have been a number of attempts to enforce a juridical regulation of volunteering activities in order to recognize its importance and to lay the foundations of a strategic thinking of how our society and the country perceive it.
Sadly, the past 2014 was a year of many natural disasters, yet it also revealed the number of good-hearted people in our country and their ability to get together when fellow-citizens are in need. The young volunteers in Varna were recognized with the Civic Award of the European Parliament!
However, a closer look into the topic of volunteering and the attempts to pass a law shows that the the perception on what is volunteering is still within a narrow framework. The popular understanding of volunteering is mostly understood as physical help in times of disasters or to people in need.
MOVE.BG decided to delve into the topic of volunteering in the context of the law
Which is currently in development. We gathered different opinions and standpoints as well as recommendations on what it should include. To us, the topic is of great Fimportance as we gather people on a voluntary basis to think of, work on and propose solutions for the development of Bulgaria through a broad inclusive process of active citizens and people with an expert viewpoints.
We give people the opportunity to volunteer in their spare time. But such volunteering is based on knowledge, expertise and experience. Therefore, a broader understanding of volunteering would give credit to the wide variety of doing good deeds; of deeds which seek no reimbursement. One’s reward is the gratefulness of the others and the acquisition of new skills. Whether you have restored a flooded house or you have helped in the creation of educational reform stratefy, you have shared a piece of yourself. You have changed the status quo.
Do we want to merely regulate the relation between organizations and volunteers
In Bulgaria, people are looking for various ways of collaboration which would allow them to contribute to the change of the surroundings. Therefore, when we discuss a law on volunteering we need to take into account all aspects of such activities. As a result from our discussions, it became clear that we need to take into account the long-term effects from such law when deciding on its content. Do we want to merely regulate the relation between organizations and volunteers or do we want to nurture a culture of volunteering in society? Do we want to set yet another administrative obstacle or do we want to stimulate volunteering?
Furthermore, organizations, which took part in our discussions, agree that the framework of this law should offer the broadest possible definition on volunteering and volunteers, so that it wouldn’t restrict but encourage engagement. The problem with regulation of volunteering is that it attempts to enforce a juridical framework on something that by default is regulate – people’s good will.
The surveys revealed that most people do not understand the need of law as volunteering is considered as an inner call to be followed without external regulations. But, as Maria Petkova from the “Tulip Foundation” states, ”the point of a law is to regulate the relations between volunteers, organizations and the parties in need of their labour, by defining their rights, responsibilities and security. It is also essential for young volunteers to be able to present to potential employers the acquired professional and social skills – that would be very beneficial to employment among young people.”
For us at MOVE.BG the importance of thinking strategically about volunteering on a national level
Another supportive of the need for law argument was given by Luben Panov, Programme Director of “Bulgarian Not-for-profit Law”: “The Labour Code explicitly states that every form of labour is paid. Therefore, according to the Bulgarian law, voluntary labour also needs to be paid for or else there is illegal activity taking place.”
As a civic platform for public change and improvement of quality of life, for us at MOVE.BG the importance of thinking strategically about volunteering on a national level is of great importance. This is an outstanding opportunity for the Bulgarian lawmakers to make a long-term social impact. Based on our research and activities on the topic, we would like to outline a few recommendations:
- A law on volunteering should have a serious assessment of impact. It should consider the opinions of all stakeholders – state administration, NGOs, business representatives etc.
- The types of volunteering should be identified in regard to public understanding of its variety and palcing intellectual volunteering on par with the other forms (NMF have given good propositions in this regard).
- Integrating mechanisms of recognizing and validating voluntary labour.
MOVE.BG will continue following the topic and collecting opinions and recommendations, which will be passed to the law on volunteering’s working group. Should you have any thoughts or suggestions on the topic, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact@movebg.com.
We are greatful to the participants of our meeting and discussions to:
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, The Bulgarian Center for Not- for-profit Law, The National Youth Forum, Foundation "Lale", The National Association for Volunteers, Timeheroes, Voluntary formations Plovdiv 112, National Association of Volunteers in the Republic of Bulgaria, CVS - Bulgaria, Association "Re-act", National Union of Students, the International Youth Chamber of Bulgaria, "Tuk-tam" and others.
Снимка: alz.org
