The Volunteer Circle

Practices & Experiences

The Volunteer Circle

Scope
National
Lead organization
The Volunteer Circle
Country
Lebanon
Region
Arab States
SDGs
SDG icon SDG icon
Overview
The Volunteer Circle (TVC) is an online skill-sharing platform that links people with opportunities to volunteer across Lebanon using the power of machine learning. The platform was set up to bridge the gap between community needs and the skills that volunteers offer. Nearly 90% of TVC’s registered volunteers are below the age of 35 and in its first year of operation more than 4,000 volunteers were matched to assignments in 180 non-profit organizations or initiatives. The platform recognizes the importance of demonstrating the contributions of volunteering to grow support for volunteers and their integration alongside other SDG modalities. It uses algorithms to calculate the economic value of volunteering tasks as costs saved by local authorities, and a feedback form for volunteers and organizations to estimate the non-monetary impact of volunteering assignments. TVC was launched in March 2019 and in its first year of operation the economic value of volunteering hours contributed through the platform was estimated at more than 500,000 USD.
SDG contribution highlights

Lebanon continues to face many development challenges across the SDG spectrum, including worsening poverty and inequality, environmental issues related to urbanisation and large numbers of refugees fleeing conflict in neighbouring Syria. Through the TVC platform, anybody - online or on-site - is able to contribute their skills and experiences to tackle these diverse challenges. For example, during demonstrations in 2019-2020 TVC volunteers cooked, packaged, and distributed 3000 meals to ensure the most vulnerable citizens were fed (SDG 2), while in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 40 TVC volunteers developed the Corona Hotline Project with the Ministry of Health to support frontline healthcare workers (SDG 2). At the same time as providing essential services, volunteering through TVC has enabled people to develop new skills, expand networks and model positive behaviour changes (SDG 4). Schools that have subscribed to TVC have reported an increased extra-curricular commitment to community service amongst student volunteers, as well as enhanced motivation and well-being.

 

Lessons learned and success factors
  • The platform uses AI to make match volunteers with opportunities and create a “hyper-personalized” experience for volunteers. As a result, the platform has extended volunteering opportunities to new sections of the population – with over 62% of TVCs volunteers reporting that they have never volunteered before.
  • To respond to crises the platform has a dedicated ‘Crisis Action Section’ to provide opportunities for people to volunteer in crisis responses. Through this function volunteers and volunteer initiatives have been able to rapidly connect and work together to respond to COVID-19 and the 2020 Beirut explosion.
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