Clare to Gdańsk: Volunteer Ambassador Competition Opens
As County Clare prepares for its role as European Volunteering Capital 2027, Clare Volunteer Centre has launched a new Volunteer Ambassador Programme competition.
Four local volunteers will be selected to travel to Gdańsk, Poland – European Volunteering Capital 2022 – in February 2027 for a fully funded knowledge-exchange visit. The initiative aims to connect Clare’s community volunteers directly with international peers to gather insights and inspiration ahead of the county’s EVCapital2027 designation.
The Gdańsk study visit is being delivered as part of an Erasmus+ funded project supporting European learning and knowledge exchange for County Clare – European Volunteering Capital 2027.
What Is the Ambassador Programme?
The competition forms part of Clare’s commitment to European volunteering partnerships, focusing on two key pillars of EVCapital2027: Recognition & Acknowledgement and Inclusion & Diversity.
Selected ambassadors will attend an exchange visit to learn how Gdańsk structured its year as Volunteering Capital, bringing fresh ideas back to shape Clare’s events, training, and long-term legacy. Upon returning, the winners will present their learnings to the EVCapital2027 Steering Group.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to active volunteers across County Clare. To be eligible, entrants must:
– Be active volunteers based in County Clare
– Be aged 18 or older
– Hold a valid passport and be available to travel in February 2027
Accessibility and support options are available for those who require them to participate or travel. Stating support requirements will not affect judging.
How to Enter
To enter, volunteers need to answer two simple questions:
- What does volunteering mean to you, and what difference has it made to you or your community?
- What would you like to learn in Gdańsk and bring back to Clare?
Entries can be submitted in whatever format suits the applicant best:
– Written: A short piece (250 to 500 words)
– Audio/Visual: A short video or voice recording (maximum 2 minutes)
– Creative: A drawing, photograph, poem, or collage
– Dictated: A volunteer coordinator, family member, or friend can write down the entrant’s words
Key Dates
Competition Opens – Thursday, 24th September 2026
Closing Date – Thursday, 19th November 2026
Winners Announced – Friday, 4th December 2026
Judging & Selection
Entries will be scored out of 15 points based on three equal criteria (0 to 5 points each):
– Personal Volunteering Story: Authenticity of the shared experience
– Impact: Clear demonstration of the difference volunteering makes to the individual or community
– Ambassador Potential: Curiosity, enthusiasm, and ideas to bring back to Clare
The four highest-scoring applicants will be chosen as Clare’s Volunteer Ambassadors.
Submit Your Entry
Entries can be submitted via email or post:
Email: sharon@volunteerclare.ie
Post: Clare Volunteer Centre CLG, Clare Education Centre, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 F782
Phone Enquiries: +353 (0)65 68 455 17
**Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Léargas. Neither the European Union nor Léargas can be held responsible for them.