Global knowledge, local resilience: Training Palestinian NGOs for effective volunteer management in emergencies
Palestine – June 2024 – As war continues to ravage communities in Palestine, Sawaed19, in partnership with the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), has launched a specialized training program in Volunteering Management in Crisis, tailored for NGOs and grassroots initiatives working under emergency and war conditions.
📹 Watch the release highlight
🎥 Training teaser on Instagram.
This program was developed as a direct response to the current crisis in Gaza and across Palestine, where the need for resilient, adaptive, and ethical volunteer coordination is more pressing than ever. By drawing parallels with global crisis zones—including case studies from the Ukraine-Russia war—this initiative offers participants a valuable lens to learn from international best practices and adapt them to the Palestinian context.
IAVE was honored that Sawaed19, a volunteer-run start-up based in Palestine, asked us to help Palestinian NGOs design effective volunteering programs to address the pressing challenges facing their communities.
Four members of IAVE’s Global Network of Volunteer Leaders worked with Sawaed19 to develop five online workshops. Topics include crisis volunteer management, strategic planning, motivating and recognizing volunteers, and maintaining resilience in recovery after a crisis.
Developed collaboratively with experts from around the world, the training covers core modules including:
- Social needs assessment in emergencies
- Resilience and transition planning (post-crisis recovery)
- Crisis-specific volunteer management
- Volunteer motivation and recognition in trauma-affected zones
- Strategic reflection and localized action planning
Participants are encouraged to engage in peer-to-peer exchanges and develop practical response strategies aligned with both international standards and local realities. The training also focuses on maintaining volunteer well-being and preventing burnout, which is essential in prolonged conflict situations.
Sawaed19 extends its deepest gratitude to the exceptional trainers and supporters who made this experience impactful:
- Wolfgang and Catha from Augsburg Volunteer Center (Germany), whose unwavering leadership and vision from the very beginning played a foundational role in the success of this program.
- Stuart from Volunteer Ireland, for contributing rich lessons in volunteer engagement and Irish best practices.
- Natalia from Caritas Ukraine, whose insights from a frontline humanitarian context deeply resonated with participants in Gaza.
- Isadora from Pista Mágica (Portugal), for her inspiring strategies in volunteer resilience.
- Dr. Rania Filfil, whose exceptional live interpretation helped bridge linguistic and cultural gaps during the sessions.
A heartfelt thank you to IAVE, directed by the amazing Nichole, for the outstanding coordination, facilitation, and global spirit of solidarity that ensured this training ran smoothly and meaningfully.
“We would like to extend our special thanks to each of you for your time and effort. Your shared experiences and lessons have provided invaluable insights and inspiration to our participants in Palestine.”
This partnership with IAVE marks a new chapter in Sawaed19’s commitment to supporting civil society under siege. It reaffirms the organization’s belief that volunteers are not just helpers, they are frontline responders, change agents, and community protectors.
