The Novi Sad Voluntary Service (NVS) is a platform for organising voluntary work in Novi Sad, which was formed in 2017, on the initiative of the OPENS 2019 – European Youth Capital and ‘Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation.

In addition to offering significant voluntary support during the implementation of activities of the two Capitals, NVS focuses on sport, health and social protection and environmental protection.

The Novi Sad Voluntary Service has been based on the methodology of establishing local voluntary services that can offer support for all who would like to introduce certain changes and involve citizens in them.

Novi Sad Voluntary Service, participated in 145 different activities for the first two years of its existence, and played an important role in offering support for our fellow citizens in order to prevent spreading of the COVID-19, thus accomplishing almost 4000 voluntary hours, which was not only one of the most representative examples of contribution and support the volunteers offer, but an indicator of their skills and enthusiasm. Their effort and work were crowned by the October award of Novi Sad.

Goals and tasks of the Novi Sad Voluntary Service

1. Promotion of positive values of the volunteer work in a local community

The expressions ‘volunteer’, ‘voluntary work’ and ‘voluntarism’ often have negative connotation in our society, accompanied by stereotypes and prejudice that degrade their importance and value. The task of the Novi Sad Voluntary Service is the promotion with the aim of identifying and evaluating volunteers in society and approval of their work and importance.

2. Cooperation with volunteers and organisers of voluntary work

Different institutions, organisation and association face great challenges when it comes to organisation of voluntary work. The Novi Sad Voluntary Service offers support regarding the preparation and announcement of volunteer positions, collecting, onsite work and evaluation of voluntary engagements. Moreover, the Novi Sad Voluntary Service is the address for all volunteers and potential volunteers who wish to be engaged and discover all the beauty of voluntary work.

3. Improvement in the quality of voluntary work

NVS actively works on improving the quality of voluntary work with training courses for volunteers and organisers of voluntary work. In addition to this, it works on publications that will facilitate working with volunteers and raise the level of quality work.

4. Involving different age categories

Age diversity is a special advantage when it comes to volunteers’ experience. Different skills, experience and knowledge of volunteers are great advantages of voluntary work. Volunteers’ engagement is enriched with many new information they receive by interacting with other volunteers. Voluntary work is dedicated to everyone, while seniors, give special value to volunteering with their experience and dignity.

If you would like to become a volunteer and embark upon a voluntary adventure of organising voluntary work, you can address the Novi Sad Voluntary Service via e-mail: office@nvs.rs, the official website of the Novi Sad Voluntary Service, or via Facebook and Instagram pages.