Danish Red Cross Experience: Ideas for Development and Motivation for Young People – A Volunteer Trip to Denmark
Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers shared their experiences with the Danish Youth Red Cross
Active volunteers from the Ukrainian Red Cross, specialising in humanitarian education, recently visited the Danish Youth Red Cross. This trip was made possible through the support of the Danish Red Cross.
- About the Red Cross in Denmark
The Danish Youth Red Cross is a part of the Danish Red Cross. It focuses on developing life skills for young people, promoting civic engagement, and providing humanitarian education. The Danish Youth Red Cross actively supports youth centres in Ukraine, where young people can meet, exchange ideas, and participate in training sessions. They have developed the Life Skills and Sprint programmes. The Life Skills programme teaches young people how to ethically resolve interpersonal conflicts and understand gender issues, as well as aspects of social responsibility. The Sprint programme aims to foster civic engagement among young people and develop project management skills to address social problems in their communities.
- Trip of Ukrainian Volunteers to Denmark
The trip was attended by Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers specialising in humanitarian education: Vira Antropova, Alina Sokurenko-Petrova, Vadym Harbuzov, Iryna Breha, Ihor Ivanochko, Oleksandr Yatsun, Alice Vilkhova, Yuriy Ivashchenko, Anna Kolomiets, and Yulia Skakalska. They were led by Yelyzaveta Matsehora, a leading specialist in the Youth Development Sector, and Sofiko Kharchylava, Head of the Youth Development Sector in the Organisational Development Department.
During their week in Denmark, the volunteers visited the cities of Copenhagen and Odense. They became acquainted with the staff and volunteers of the Danish Youth Red Cross, as well as the areas of their activities. On one of the evenings, the guests were joined by Jonas Wiederholt Larsen, President of the Danish Youth Red Cross.
- About Volunteering in Denmark
“Being a volunteer in Denmark is both honourable and prestigious. Volunteers in Denmark have greater authority and privileges, which is something we aspire to in Ukraine. For instance, while in Ukraine most projects are funded by donors and volunteers assist in their implementation, in Denmark, volunteers raise funds independently and can manage a project, overseeing everything from strategic planning to handling routine tasks. We visited the Danish Youth Red Cross centre in Odense, where all processes are managed by volunteers,” confirms Vira Antropova. “Of course, given the dangers posed by the war and the unstable economic situation in Ukraine, we cannot rely solely on volunteers to help people. However, we have significant room for growth.”
- How Denmark Motivates Volunteers and Keeps Them Active for Years
Prestigious educational institutions offer extra points or advantages to applicants with volunteering experience.
Volunteering enhances employment prospects, as it helps develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and organisational abilities, which are highly valued by employers. This is why volunteering is often highlighted on a CV when applying for a job.
Employer Benefits: Some companies in Denmark provide additional perks to their employees who volunteer. These may include extra days off, flexible working hours, or financial support for volunteering activities.
At Christmas, volunteers receive vouchers that can be redeemed for gifts. They also have opportunities to attend volunteer camps and meetings, which support and motivate them.
“In Denmark, volunteering is a trend, with more than 40,000 volunteers, which is about 1% of the country’s population. This indicates significant room for growth,” says Oleksandr. In Ukraine, this ratio is lower, at approximately 0.3% of the total population.
The Danish Youth Red Cross actively engages with government officials and representatives from the entertainment industry to promote the Red Cross movement. It is evident that in Denmark, young people are listened to and hold a voice and authority in making important community decisions. Therefore, to empower the volunteer movement in Ukraine to make significant social decisions, it is essential to increase the number of volunteers in advisory positions and leadership roles.
“At the same time, the Danish people are astonished by the conditions in which we work,” says Oleksandr Yatsun. “We often have a highly irregular schedule and face an unstable emotional and psychological environment. Nevertheless, we continue to help others, and they genuinely say that this inspires them as well.”
- The Danish Youth Red Cross has developed areas of volunteering that the Ukrainian Red Cross does not yet have
“In Denmark, hospital cafés are widespread, ensuring that people undergoing long-term treatment do not feel lonely. The operation of these cafés is supported by volunteers from the Danish Youth Red Cross,” says Vira Antropova.
Another initiative is a café for homework assistance, where students or high school pupils help children with learning difficulties. Additionally, there is a telephone support service called “Youth for Youth.” There are also Red Cross shops, similar to thrift stores, where the proceeds from sales go to charity. Volunteers organise and run clubs for children, covering a range of activities from martial arts to cooking. Some classes are free of charge, while others request donations.
- Impressions of the Experience of Ukrainian Volunteers
People everywhere in Denmark asked about the experiences of Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers.
“The Danish people sincerely admire our volunteers who, during such a difficult time for our country and for each individual, find the time and energy to help others. They take pride in our volunteers, as Ukrainian volunteers are often involved in multiple areas and carry out their activities with high quality,” says Vira.
- How to Engage in International Exchange of Experience and Its Benefits for Further Volunteer Activities
To participate in the international exchange of experience, consider the following steps:
- Be an active volunteer with the Ukrainian Red Cross in areas such as humanitarian education, YABC, Life Skills, and Sprint.
- Follow the social media accounts of the National Committee’s Volunteering and Youth Department, where announcements and updates for volunteers are posted.
- Successfully pass an interview with representatives of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross and prepare for the trip.
Many might say, “Oh, you were selected and went abroad because you were lucky,” but in reality, it requires daily self-improvement and volunteering from the heart and soul,” adds Vira Antropova.
“We will continue to work on developing our Ukrainian Red Cross. The trip was unique; I was fortunate to be part of this delegation, and I am sure that every participant shares very similar feelings,” says Oleksandr Yatsun.