Volunteer engagement has come a long way for Caritas India and its partners in the past. There has been a constant effort from Caritas India to promote and integrate volunteerism in the community and organisations. In this regard, a workshop on Volunteer Engagement and Management was held on January 20-21, 2025, at Shreyas, Bathery, Kerala. The two-day event brought together key representatives from seven partner organisations from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The workshop aimed to equip partners with practical knowledge and strategies for effective volunteer engagement and resource mobilization.

Fr. Anil Crasta, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India, emphasized the crucial role of volunteers, stating, “Volunteers are the core of the heart of an organization. Unlocking their power can drive resources and amplify our collective impact.” This statement underscores Caritas India’s recognition of volunteers as indispensable agents of social transformation.

To strengthen volunteerism, Caritas India is implementing several strategic measures. These include developing a comprehensive Volunteer Guidebook, implementing safeguarding practices to protect volunteers and beneficiaries, creating clear role descriptions, establishing streamlined onboarding processes with training programs, offering recognition and rewards to retain volunteers, and conducting community-level mapping to identify potential volunteers.

The organization has also outlined a forward plan to integrate volunteers into partner organizations. This plan includes registering volunteers from diverse backgrounds such as schools, colleges, professionals, and retired individuals. Additionally, Caritas India aims to design 100-day engagement activities to maintain volunteer interest and organize five major campaign activities annually.

During the workshop, participants engaged in group discussions and presentations, sharing diverse perspectives on tapping into local resources, fostering community support, and developing volunteer networks. Fr. Anil Crasta provided insights into successful volunteer engagement models, citing examples like Feeding America and Samarthanam Trust, Karnataka. He explained that resource mobilization is a systematic process of gathering and aligning resources for maximum impact, emphasizing networking, collaboration, and partnerships.

Dr. V.R. Haridas, Thematic Lead for Climate Justice at Caritas India, led a session on safeguarding practices, stressing their importance in protecting the dignity, rights, and safety of individuals associated with DSSS programs. Participants agreed to initiate safeguarding discussions within their teams, formulate policies, and conduct staff orientations.

The workshop also revisited Caritas India’s Volunteer Guidebook, highlighting practical tools and methodologies for effective volunteer engagement. Partners shared best practices, including youth-led cancer care interventions, family-level efforts in drug abuse prevention, and mass tree plantation drives.

Participants expressed enthusiasm about implementing the strategies learned. Fr. Alwin from Chikkamagaluru DSSS remarked, “The strategies for resource mobilization shared today have opened my eyes to new, practical approaches that can greatly enhance our organizational plans.”

Dr. Haridas concluded the workshop by emphasizing the importance of integrating the discussed strategies into organizational frameworks. He stated, “This workshop is not just about learning, it’s about igniting a movement where volunteers become the backbone of impactful social change.”

As Caritas India continues to strengthen its volunteer base, this initiative marks a significant step towards creating a more robust and effective social service network across India. The organization’s commitment to volunteerism reflects its broader mission of driving meaningful change through collective action and community engagement. By investing in volunteer engagement and management, Caritas India is laying the foundation for more impactful and sustainable social interventions in the years to come.