The VolunTrek project took part in the National Meeting of Caritas/Parish Groups, held on 23 May in Fatima.
VolunTrek is a transnational Erasmus+ project, promoted by Caritas Portugal, which aims to strengthen the competences of professionals and organisations involved in empowering adult volunteers by fostering high-quality, inclusive, and well-prepared volunteering experiences. Among its objectives, the project seeks to develop practical tools to support the preparation, guidance, and training of volunteers in both face-to-face and online settings.
The National Meeting of Caritas/Parish Groups brought together 217 participants from across Portugal, including the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The event was attended by representatives from 57 parish groups and 13 Diocesan Caritas organisations. Its main objective was to strengthen parish social action groups and promote the exchange of experiences and good practices, highlighting the importance of local communities in supporting the most vulnerable people.
During the meeting, key topics were addressed, including the coordination, recruitment, and training of volunteers in the Church’s charitable work.
Volunteering is of great importance for social organisations and for society as a whole because it plays an essential role in strengthening social cohesion, bringing together people of different ages, backgrounds, and circumstances around shared causes and solidarity. By promoting active participation, inclusion, and support for people and communities in situations of greater vulnerability, volunteering helps reduce inequalities, strengthen relationships of trust, and foster a more just and participatory society.