Government adopts development strategies for volunteering and non-governmental organisations

The timing of today's press conference was no coincidence. Marking International Volunteer Day provides an ideal opportunity to recognise the vital role of volunteers and NGOs, and to present their future development. This year's International Volunteer Day, which has now been observed for exactly 40 years, is held under the slogan Every Contribution Counts. The United Nations has already announced an upcoming International Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development, recognising the pivotal role volunteers play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

State Secretary Jure Trbič emphasised at the outset that volunteers and NGOs were one of the key pillars of our society. "Their contribution is invaluable, ranging from supporting the most vulnerable to developing innovative solutions to the challenges we face as a community. It is precisely for this reason that, at the initiative of volunteer organisations, we decided to draft two separate strategies, further elevating the significance of volunteering," he said. He added that the previous year, 203,786 volunteers had been active within 2,675 organisations, contributing a total of 8,560,250 hours of voluntary work.

Both strategies build on the previous joint strategy for the period up to 2023 and, for the first time, establish separate developmental frameworks for these two interconnected yet independent areas. The strategies were produced through an inclusive and transparent process involving ministries, NGOs, volunteer organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, and the wider interested public.

The President of the Government Council for the Promotion of the Development of Volunteering, Volunteer and Non-Governmental Organisations, Rok Pandel, welcomed the adoption of both strategies, stressing the importance of close dialogue with the Government and the Ministry during the coordination of the texts. He pointed out that "documents alone are not enough if people do not stand behind them". "While drafting these strategies, strong bonds were forged and we had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with ministries and develop solutions jointly. It is essential that volunteering is recognised as a value and as a competency system through which individuals develop in non-formal settings. NGOs must also be given the opportunity to provide society with what the NGO sector is truly capable of — complementing society where the official system cannot."

Volunteering Development Strategy in the Republic of Slovenia until 2030

Strategy for Development of Non Governmental Organisations in the Republic of Slovenia until 203

By adopting these two strategies, Slovenia is entering a new phase in the development of volunteering and the NGOs. In collaboration with stakeholders, the Ministry of Public Administration will ensure that the set goals are met and will regularly monitor the implementation of the measures.

*Note – Full news items are available in Slovenian.