Coordinators’ Seminar in Uzhhorod 2025
Professional Development Seminar for Volunteer Center Coordinators of VC, which took place on 9–13 June in Uzhhorod
The event became an intensive platform for developing strategies and building plans that respond to the current challenges faced by communities and organisations. The main focus was on the development of Jewish communities through strengthening their resources and potential by means of volunteer communities. Within thematic sessions, participants deeply explored issues of effective organisational work, social impact that can be enhanced through volunteer resources, and tools for the sustainable development of centres and, consequently, communities.
Volunteering in our communities is not about an auxiliary tool; it is about the heart that brings life to every initiative. It is often the driving force behind transformation, a source of ideas, active engagement, change, and development.
More than 40 coordinators took part in the seminar: 32 offline and 10 online.
A very important component of the seminar was the participation of the Head of the Community Development Department, Anna Hryholaya, Programme Coordinator Tetiana Krasii, and Jointech Programme Coordinator of the Welfare Department, Olena Proskurnia. The sessions and workshops with them helped coordinators deepen their understanding of how volunteering shapes resource capacity and opens opportunities, enabling communities to grow and develop.
Within the working part of the seminar, key areas were addressed that are important both for enhancing the professional capacity of coordinators and for strengthening the quality impact of volunteer projects on the sustainability and self-sufficiency of organisations. Special attention was paid to community potential and the ability to see not only challenges but also opportunities. A separate part of the seminar was dedicated to the pilot project “Food Delivery” (a joint initiative of the volunteer programme and the Welfare Department) — a new model of targeted assistance. Participants thoroughly examined and discussed the goals of the project, implementation tools, criteria for selecting participants and volunteers, possible challenges within the project, and ways to overcome them. This was not merely an analysis of a future project, but the creation of a mechanism that will allow communities to support more people in need and to do so in a higher-quality, more compassionate, and more effective way.
This is how strategy is born — not in offices, but in live conversations, shared laughter, and deep embraces after inspiring sessions.
A separate emphasis of the seminar was placed on supporting coordinators who support volunteers on the ground every day. In a special block dedicated to reflection, motivation, and the restoration of inner resources, participants had the opportunity to pause and focus on their own state, energy, and resilience.
Specialists from the “Or Shalom” programme (Hesed-Arie) and the coordinators themselves were involved in facilitating this block, delivering in-depth sessions on emotional recovery, personal resource development, and art therapy. These practices became a source of renewal for coordinators, helping them once again feel the strength of the community and reignite the inner flame that inspires further change.
The main thing that united all these days was the belief that the true resource of a community is people. Their hands, their dedication, their ability to dream and implement, their desire to bring change, and their shared vision of purpose. We are confident that through joint effort, mutual support, and commitment, they are capable of becoming a strong foundation for sustainable, active, and resilient Jewish communities.
Therefore, we believe that this seminar left a mark not only on the hearts, but also on the plans and actions of the coordinators. They returned home with new tools, ideas, and confidence: our communities have everything they need to endure and to flourish. Because the most valuable resource already exists within us.