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From Recognising Volunteering to Validating Learning – ATA in Dublin
From 3–5 November 2026, Attila represented the Youth Association from Transylvania (ATA) at the European Symposium “Recognising Youth Volunteering: From Experience to Impact”, held in Dublin, Ireland.
The event took place within the framework of SNAC Volunteering, a strategic cooperation involving 18 National Agencies for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, together with SALTO Resource Centres. It brought together young people, youth workers, researchers and policymakers to explore ways of improving the recognition of volunteering and the validation of competences gained through volunteering across Europe.
The first day of the programme focused on introductions, getting to know other participants and exchanging experiences. On 4 November, after the keynotes, Attila participated in two workshops focusing on the recognition of different forms of volunteering and how young people themselves recognise and value their volunteering experiences. In the late afternoon he also attended the “Up the flats” youth led city walk.
The final day was dedicated to validating learning and competences gained through volunteering. Participants took part in a World Café, rotating between four thematic tables to discuss key aspects of validation, existing challenges and possible solutions.
These discussions are particularly relevant to ATA’s work. Our organisation has been hosting European volunteers since 2013, initially through the European Voluntary Service (EVS) and subsequently through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Since 2015, we have also actively involved local volunteers in our activities in Cristuru Secuiesc, Romania.
The ideas and proposals collected during the symposium will be used by Léargas, the Irish National Agency, and the SALTO European Solidarity Corps Resource Centre to develop European-level recommendations aimed at improving the recognition and validation of volunteering.
For ATA, participating in the symposium was an opportunity to contribute insights from more than a decade of practical experience, learn from other European stakeholders and take part in discussions that can help shape the future of youth volunteering across Europe.
Snapshots of the event can be seen in these 2 videos made by the hosts:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1116236131163411
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1442302431214061
