Athens: Volunteer Management Training

This workshop is designed for people managing volunteers in organisations with limited time and resources, yet increased operational needs. It is addressed to organisations with some prior experience in volunteer engagement. Participants will be introduced to practical tools and methodologies that can be immediately applied in practice.

What Participants Will Gain

This workshop approaches volunteering from a different perspective. Rather than focusing solely on general good practices or “what is usually done”, we will work with contemporary concepts and tools that help us better understand volunteer behaviour and motivation.

Among other topics, we will explore the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, as well as key principles of behavioural science, such as the role of fast and slow thinking, and how these influence the ways people choose to participate — or not — and ultimately how they think and act as volunteers.

At the same time, we will examine how individuals evolve from followers into active supporters of an organisation’s mission, how the volunteer journey is shaped, and how a sense of belonging to something larger than a single activity can be cultivated.

Participants will leave with practical tools and methodologies that can be immediately implemented, along with small everyday practices that make volunteer management easier and help build greater confidence in their role, ultimately creating more meaningful volunteer experiences.

Part A – From Understanding to Structure

In the first part, we will focus on what volunteer management is — and is not — today. We will challenge common myths around volunteering and explore how volunteers’ needs and motivations are evolving in today’s reality.

We will examine:

• the core motivations behind volunteer participation,
• differences across age groups,
• and how volunteering can be meaningfully connected to an organisation’s mission and goals.

At the same time, we will work on designing a functional volunteer programme, from recruitment and onboarding to training and engagement.

Special emphasis will be placed on:

• how volunteers choose to participate,
• where engagement commonly “gets stuck”,
• and how organisations can adapt to different volunteering backgrounds and experiences.

The session will focus on practical solutions that can be applied immediately, without requiring additional budgets or complex organisational structures.

Part B – From Engagement to Community

The second part will focus on how to keep volunteers engaged over time and how to build continuity and meaningful relationships.

We will explore:

• the volunteer journey from first contact to long-term engagement and leadership roles,
• how small teams, clear roles, and simple practices can strengthen engagement,
• the power of community — both online and offline,
• rituals that create a sense of belonging,
• and the transition from transactional to meaningful volunteering.

The workshop will conclude with an interactive exercise during which participants will co-design a realistic and sustainable volunteer engagement plan tailored to the capacities and needs of their organisation.

Time & Venue

The seminar will take place on the 1st floor of the offices of the Bodossaki Foundation, at Mourouzi 14, 10674 Athens, on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00.

Registration Process

To participate in the workshop, please click “Register”, select the workshop date, and complete the registration form. Confirmation of participation will be sent electronically. For further information, please contact us at +30 210 7259306.

This event will take place in Greek. For further information, please visit the Greek version of this page.