Tampere Region Festivals project Capable and Inclusive Event is charting the organisation and leadership of volunteer work in current cultural events in Tampere region area. The project also explores the inclusivity of volunteer work in the co-operation of the municipalities and event organisers, as well as the benefits and roadblocks in volunteering.
By developing volunteer work, this project aims to improve the functioning of cultural events in situations, where there is a shortage of volunteers, and at the same time, among many demopraphics, there is a need for more opportunities to take part in culture and become part of the creative community.
The project explores and develops the state of volunteer work in cultural events from three perspectives:
a) models for recruitment, leadership and fostering volunteer commitment
b) accessibility, attractiveness and effectiveness of volunteer work
c) co-operation of municipalities and event organisers in improving inclusivity
The project provides training about inclusivity and volunteer management for event organisers of Tampere region, as well as for municipalities, cities and their representatives. It also develops the accessibility, organisation, marketing and networking of volunteer work, and this development is carried out in collaboration with event organisers, cities and municipalities. In addition, the project aims to create new contacts with local educational institutions, as well as among young adults, people of foreign backgrounds, the elderly, and for example, the meeting places, organisations and communities of people participating in recreational activities and rehabilitation.
The aim of the project is to raise the amount and diversity of volunteers in cultural events, and to attract new demographics to the events through marketing, co-operation and various diversity projects. The target demographics can be, for example, young adults from 18 to 30 years of age, the elderly, people participating in recreational activities and rehabilitation, as well as people of foreign backgrounds, for whom involvement in event communities and experiences from volunteering can further their social integration, language skills and working life or discovering a career path.
Positive experiences from volunteering effect not only the well-being of the individuals, but also the image and attractiveness of the events industry. Developing volunteer work at cultural events can have a significant impact on the skills of the industry, its image and viability, as well as the diversity of communities, the well-being of residents, experiences of involvement and citizen retention of the region. The project aims to bundle the volunteer work at cultural events as a part of the diversity strategy and communication of cities and municipalities, and in this way, to make different forms of community participation visible and accessible.
The Council of Tampere Region has granted the project funding of 100 000 euros from the AKKE fund of sustainable growth and vitality of regions. The project supports the aim of the the Regional Development Programme primarily by improving communality, but also internationality. Central part of the project is to involve a variety of new demographics into volunteer work at cultural events, including young adults, senior citizens, people with foreign backgrounds and people participating in rehabilitation. In this way, the project advances the use of volunteer work in the prevention of social exclusion and in the integration of immigrants into local communities, in accordance with the regional programme.
Photo by Laura Vanzo / Visit Tampere
