Volunteer" comes from the Latin word "voluntaries" meaning "voluntary", "free will". In Bulgarian the word sounds like a combination of "good" and "will"; on good, free will or will to do good. Hence, it is assumed that the volunteer would be willing to do a job that is in favor of society and is related to a good cause.
What volunteering gives us is the main question that each of us is asking before looking for such opportunities.

•    Through volunteering, volunteers can get a good understanding of different topics;
•    Voluntary activities give a very rich experience, fostering the development of social skills and competences;
•    Volunteers receive a certificate that certifies the acquired informal experience and represents a "plus" in the future professional career and educational path of the volunteers;
•    Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in solving a specific problem of the local community;
•    Volunteering has made a significant contribution to the development of the economy, society as a whole and the individual. Research shows that volunteering contributes to a 0.5% to 5.0% increase in Gross Domestic Product;

Facts and figures about volunteering in the world
•    Volunteers are a vigorous stream equivalent to 140 million people on a full-time basis. This would be a population sufficient for the largest nation - and the most prosperous;
•    In the world, this is an average of 3-7% of the economically active population;
•    All of these people contribute an average of 1 to 5% (EU - 5%) of their countries' gross domestic product, based on data from 37 countries.
•    More than 500,000 people were volunteers at the Beijing Olympics'2008. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, there were over 54 000 people, one quarter of whom were foreigners;
•    In the context of a financial crisis, volunteering is gaining momentum in some societies, while in others it becomes less popular.

Situation in the European Union - there is no way we can not keep our watch in time about what is happening in Europe
•    The most active volunteers are those in the UK - 3 out of 10 Scots donate daily their time and strength;
•    Most often work voluntarily for the benefit of children and the socially disadvantaged, animals and nature/ecology.
•    The lowest level of volunteering in Bulgaria - only 4% are willing to do it regularly;
•    Trend: Volunteering becomes a new qualification, a type of accredited training;

Reasons why people do not volunteer in BULGARIA
According to a Eurostat study, the reasons why people in Bulgaria do not volunteer are commonly:
40% - I have no time
30% - No one told me
26% - I dont know where
16% - I can not make it
8% - I am not interested

We leave this information without any comments.
What would motivate us to do volunteer work anyway??
•    opportunity for social contacts and belonging;
•    opportunity for personal and professional development;
•    sense of usefulness and significance;
•    opportunity for interesting experiences.

The most common areas for volunteering in Bulgaria are:
•    Ecology
•    Work with children and young people
•    Culture
•    Sports
•    Work with older people
•    Social campaigns

And what do you think? If this information is useful to you, we offer you a volunteer opportunity that our partner "Know and Can" Association offers:
“Know and Can” has won a project under the European Voluntary Service (EVS) program to send two young volunteers to work in Italy. All travel, subsistence and meals are covered by the project, and pocket money is also provided.
- Place: Palermo, Sicily
- Duration: 9 months (start from 01/10/17 and from 01/12/17)
- age of the participants: up to 29 years old (30 years old in 2018)
- activities: 2 types (you can only apply for one of the positions):
1. Work at office related to analyzes, studies, training and project writing;
2. Work at a social center connected with artistic activities for social inclusion of disabled young people;

- Working week: 35 hour work week, 2 weekdays weekly, 5 hours weekly free Italian lessons, 2 days off per month that can be accumulated.
If you meet the above conditions and you are interested in the offer, please prepare a curriculum vitae and a brief motivation letter and contact the “Know and Can” Association at the following email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at: 02/9434055