The International Conservation Volunteers Alliance Accreditation Program Conservation Volunteers...

The International Conservation Volunteers Alliance Accreditation Program

Conservation Volunteers Alliance

> The first world organisation established to recognise

the value and importance of the rapidly growing

conservation volunteer movement

Draft Mission statement:

> The World Conservation Alliance will represent and

promote organisations involved in volunteer based

practical conservation work by establishing and

monitoring best practice for projects that protect and

enhance the environment.


The Alliance will

•Act as an advocate to gain recognition for conservation

volunteers

•Strive to influence global decision makers about volunteers’

contributions to sustainable development

•Set benchmarks for practical conservation projects and

volunteer experience

•Research and promote the social and environmental

outcomes of conservation volunteering

•Stimulate and support the growth of new groups

•Facilitate access to new funds


The Accreditation Program – setting benchmarks

•Assist organisations deliver high quality volunteer

experience and positive outcomes for the environment

• Project level emphasis on:

> Safety, satisfaction and welfare

• Organisation level emphasis on:

> People management> Financial resources


Why an Accreditation program?

Potential volunteers

ProjectFunders

Other stakeholders

Conservation Volunteer Organisations

Alliance Accreditation Program


Benefits of Accreditation

Benefits to Conservation Volunteer Organisations:

> standards for self improvement

> Incentives for self improvement

> increases appeal to the volunteer market

> sound basis for exchange of volunteers between

organisations



Appeal to governments and private companies that fund

projects:

> Assurance that resources are used efficiently and

effectively

> Assurance that required outcomes will be achieved



Stakeholders such as host communities and indigenous

groups will be assured that:

> conservation projects are conducted in ways that are

responsible - both environmentally and socially

> positive environmental outcomes will be achieved



Sustainable benefits to the environment through increased:

> volunteer numbers

> sponsorship

> standards underpinning inputs to volunteer

programs

> indigenous and local community involvement

Also provide basis for monitoring long-term outcomes


Accreditation Standards

•Organisational management




•Human resource management





•Promotion and recruitment






•Volunteer experience


Actual accreditation standards Very poor

Poor No comment

Good Very good

You were given a simple introduction about the rules, rights and responsibilities for volunteers, before starting your project

You were given an introduction to the conservation activity, before starting your project

You were given an introduction to safety and emergency procedures, before starting your project

You were given instructions on how to use equipment safely before you started using the equipment

You were provided with an opportunity to learn about the environment and its conservation

You were provided with an opportunity to learn about how to get along with other people or unusual situations

You were provided with an opportunity to talk with people from another region or country

You were provided with an opportunity to socialise and enjoy yourself

You were asked how satisfied you were with your experience

You were asked how your conservation volunteer experience could be improved







•Project management








•Risk management








•Risk management

•Financial management


Levels of Accreditation

•Developing

> recognise need for further improvement in

identified areas

•Benchmark

> demonstrate strong systems in all activities

> provide assistance to “developing” organisations


Benefits of participation

> Assistance to improve standards

> Outcomes for the environment

> More opportunity to exchange volunteers, staff & ideas

> Credibility leading to enhanced potential for funding

> Cooperating marketing

> Collective lobbying

> More volunteers in the field

> Insurance


The way ahead

Indigenous and local communities:

> establish strong links with communities

> align volunteer inputs with protected area

conservation priorities

> involve local communities in volunteer briefing to

provide cultural context


The way ahead

Monitoring:

•Develop appropriate systems to measure outcomes of

volunteer projects

> include indigenous and local communities in

process

> incorporate into Accreditation process


The way ahead

•Membership

> Join the Conservation Volunteers Alliance

•Accreditation

> Participate in the Accreditation Program

> Exchange learning with other Alliance members

•Impact on world environment


Acknowledgements

Thanks to:

•Rio Tinto

•Missing Link Consultants


For more information and how to join the Alliance

Contact the Alliance through our website:

www.conservationvolunteers.org

The site includes:

> information about member organisations

> Accreditation Program documents

> How to join the Alliance

http://www.conservationvolunteers.org/

The International Conservation Volunteers Alliance Accreditation Program Conservation Volunteers...

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