On Wednesday, December 1, the Protocol on Cooperation between the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization and the "Youth Capital of Europe Novi Sad - OPENS" was signed. During April 2020, EHO started cooperation with the youth association of the above-mentioned association, with the aim of encouraging the development of a local network of volunteers in Novi Sad. Therefore, EHO became a part of the Novi Sad Volunteer Service. Also, the representatives of OPENS were part of the activities that the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization realized within the project “Strengthening the capacity of humanitarian organizations for the reception and guidance of volunteers from the EU” which is based on the identification of associations that, by advocating locally, significantly contribute to the development of volunteerism.

The subject of the signed Protocol is precisely the cooperation and development of volunteerism both at the local level and the exchange of experiences in working with foreign volunteers within various European programs.

Within the above project, EHO received a certificate in 2020 for the program of admission and guidance of volunteers from European Union countries (EU Aid Volunteer Initiative). The mentioned project is realized under mentorship of the ADA Slovakia and in partnership:  Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church „Philanthropy“and MHD „Merhamet – Sandžak“ of the Novi Pazar, Asociacion CDRO (De Cooperacion para el desarrollo rural de occidente)/ Gvatemala, Asociación de Servicios Educativos y Culturales/ Guatemala, Asociación Jesús Obrero/ Peru, Fundacion Alboan/ Estonia, Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados – Colombia/Columbia, Girl Child Network/ Kenya, Medicus Mundi – Italy, Servizio Volontario internazionale/ Italy, The Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission/ Ethiopia, ASPEm/ Italy.

The funds to realize our project activities are covered from the EU funds, within the EU Aid Volunteers program.