Volunteering pledge after title bid is lost
Planning for 2020 festival despite Euro disappointment
Stirling has lost in its bid to be named Europe’s Volunteering Capital.
The city was unsuccessful as it aspired to win the crown of European Volunteering Capital 2020, losing out to the Italian city of Padua.
Aarhus in Denmark, the previous title holder, was the location for the announcement on Wednesday evening.
But the city has vowed to continue with its plans for a year–long festival of volunteering in 2020 and has renewed its commitment to increasing volunteering participation to 50 per cent.
Stirling’s bid was led by Stirling Council, Volunteer Scotland and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise.
Volunteer Scotland Chief Executive, George Thomson, congratulated Padua and said: “Whilst the award has not come to Stirling, our plans will still go ahead. We have a thriving, feelgood volunteer community here in Stirling – over 39 per cent of people already volunteer – and we’re going to build on that to bring the benefits of volunteering to all. We have so much to look forward to over the next few years, from a year–long festival in 2020 to the world’s first volunteering expo in 2021.”
Stirling Council leader, Councillor Scott Farmer added: “While I’m disappointed that Stirling has narrowly missed out on this honour, it certainly won’t close the book on this inspiring story about our citizens’ volunteering spirit.
“Regardless of the result, 2020 is going to be a celebration of volunteering in Stirling and our mission remains the same: to encourage even more people to get involved and act as a beacon to the continent about the joy of helping others.”
Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Chris Kane added: “Padua made a strong bid and I would like to wish them well. The decision hasn’t gone our way but getting to this stage is recognition for our thousands of volunteers who make such a positive difference every day across our communities.
“The title would have been the icing on the cake, but our work now begins in earnest to unlock the full potential of volunteering in Stirling, Scotland and Europe, and I know we will rise to the challenge.”
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise boss Natalie Masterson echoed this sentiment. She said: “Our commitment to volunteering growth and improving access still stands. We’re as determined as ever to reduce social isolation and close the equality gap between our poorest and most wealthy communities through volunteering.”
Stirling MP, Stephen Kerr congratulated the winners, adding: “Also I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in Stirling’s bid for their hard work and commitment. The year long festival of volunteering that will still take place will prove just what a great place Stirling is for volunteering and what a worthy winner we would have been.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford added: “I know that many people, including representatives from Stirling Council, Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise and Volunteer Scotland, put a lot of time and effort into presenting the best possible case for our area.
“Stirling’s voluntary sector is a vibrant one, and is an important part of the fabric that makes our local communities. That is why I am encouraged that, despite this disappointing result, those who presented our case intend to make 2020 a celebration of volunteering in Stirling and to achieve their volunteering goals.”
The city’s planned year-long festival of volunteering is expected to involve over 70,000 people, and a European Engagement programme, offering learning and development opportunities as well as youth volunteer placements.