On the 21st of May, around 50 organisations gathered at the Preseren Square in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for the National Volunteering Week.

EUSA and the EUSA Institute were happy to be present at the event once again and meet people interested in volunteering, sports, and our projects. 

The event, which takes place annually, celebrates volunteering and is organised by Slovenska Filantropija. Nevertheless, it is not only for celebrating volunteering, but it is also a chance for organisations to show what they are doing, for volunteers to connect, and to exchange ideas.

European University Sports Association (EUSA), with its Institute, was represented at the stand by EUSA volunteers Milena Alessandria and Dorina Nagy, supported by EUSA Projects and Communications Officer Kiki Hristova.

This year, EUSA promoted the various opportunities it offers for volunteering, from volunteering at our international sports events to the European Solidarity Corps. Furthermore, our volunteers shared how EUSA operates to continuously improve university sports.

For the occasion, our volunteers came up with an interactive quiz in which participants found out what type of sports volunteering suits them best, and built a cardboard football game from scratch. The game, in particular, was a full success, with young attendees being enthusiastic about trying to play and winning a prize gift. 

What made the experience even more special was the diversity of participants it brought together, from students to elderly people, all connected by a true interest in volunteering. Moreover, EUSA volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about other associations hosting ESC volunteers in Slovenia and their activities, thus strengthening the ESC community.

As EUSA also passionately participates in many projects and initiatives, the time was taken to shed some light on their goals, progress, and impact. Such projects and initiatives include, for example, EUYouSport, FUSION, European Students Run, ESSEPA, and many more.

The EUSA Institute offers various opportunities to volunteer at sports events. Separately, it annually offers long-term (around one year) volunteering positions through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Programme.

EUSA has been welcoming ESC volunteers since 2014. They take part in the office's daily activities in Ljubljana while also actively contributing to multiple EUSA events and activities.