FAQ

What is an online volunteer?

An online volunteer is an individual who commits her/his time and skills over the Internet, freely and without financial considerations, for the benefit of society.

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What can online volunteers do?

Through the Online Volunteering service volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet. To discover the many possibilities of helping grassroots organizations, international NGOs, local governments, educational institutions and United Nations agencies in addressing development challenges go to the Opportunity Search.

For further inspiration, check the Resources section.

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How does online volunteering work?

The Online Volunteering service offers a database of online volunteering opportunities submitted by development organizations worldwide. Interested individuals identify opportunities that match their interests, expertise, and skills, and submit their applications directly to the organizations, which select the volunteers they would like to engage in their activities.

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What services are offered by UNV?

The Online Volunteering service offers tools to facilitate the management of opportunities and online volunteers, provides guidance on online collaboration, and shares best practices and lessons learned via the website, the monthly newsletter and email-based user support. To ensure quality and to set the conditions for a safe and positive online volunteering experience, UNV screens organizations and opportunities, and monitors the feedback organizations and volunteers provide on their collaboration.

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Does UNV screen organizations?

Development organizations that apply for registration are screened against the eligibility criteria before they can use the Online Volunteering service. Organizations are eligible if they are officially registered, non-profit, active in the field of sustainable human development, non-discriminatory and in compliance with the Charter and policies of the United Nations.

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Does UNV screen online volunteering opportunities?

UNV screens all opportunities posted by registered organizations before publishing them on the Online Volunteering service website. Opportunities are eligible if they benefit developing countries, are non-discriminatory and support the organization’s activities.

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Are online volunteers UN or UNV volunteers?

No. Online volunteers mobilized through the Online Volunteering service are volunteers for the organization with which they collaborate.

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Do online volunteers receive financial compensation?

Online volunteers share their time and expertise on a voluntary basis and do not receive any financial compensation. Contributing to sustainable human development, developing knowledge and skills, expanding networks and working in a multicultural environment are some of the many benefits of online volunteering.

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How do I register my organization?

To apply, go to Register Now on the homepage and fill out the registration form. You will need to provide the following information about your organization: contact information and description of its mission and activities; a copy of its registration certificate; documentation on its non-profit status; two references who can verify the information provided; information on any affiliations with other organizations (if applicable). Make sure you save the information you enter. Once you have completed the form, submit the application to UNV for review.

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Can my organization register several of its units?

If your organization has several departments, country offices or projects, each entity can apply to register and would have an independent account.

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Can several individuals use one organization account?

The owner of an organization account can give colleagues access to the account for them to manage opportunities and volunteers.

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As a registered organization with the Online Volunteering service, is my organization a partner of UNV?

An organization’s account on the Online Volunteering service website shall neither be construed as an endorsement or a recommendation on the part of UNV or the United Nations, nor as a partnership with UNV or the United Nations.

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Does the Online Volunteering service offer a database of volunteer profiles?

No. Registered organizations post their volunteering opportunities on the Online Volunteering service website, to which individuals around the world can apply.

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How can I find online volunteers?

Registered organizations submit opportunities in which they describe the volunteers’ tasks. As soon as UNV publishes them on the Online Volunteering service website, interested and qualified online volunteers will apply.

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How do I receive applications from online volunteers?

You will receive an email every time a volunteer applies for one of your online volunteering opportunities. All applications are listed in the Manage Volunteers section of your organization account.

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I received a sufficient number of applications, what do I do?

Mark the opportunity as "closed" to take it off the list of open opportunities on the Online Volunteering service website.

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How do I select volunteers?

You will review the applications and select the volunteers you would like to involve. Make sure you reject the applications you do not consider for the opportunity and inform the applicants of your decision. You can do this in one step. By marking them as "rejected", you will remove them from the list of your online volunteers.

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What are the automated messages?

To facilitate the volunteer selection process, the Online Volunteering service offers ready made messages that are sent automatically, from the organization account, to applicants when they apply or when you reject their application. You can edit these messages according to your needs.

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How do I submit feedback?

The link to the feedback form is available next to the online volunteer name listed in the Manage Volunteers section of your organization account.

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Is the feedback I provide through the website confidential?

You have the option of either sharing your feedback with the volunteer, or of keeping it confidential. Sharing your comments on the online collaboration is very valuable to volunteers. It allows them to evaluate their own performance and make any necessary changes for the future. UNV has access to all feedback submitted and uses the information to monitor the quality of the online collaboration.

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How can I issue a certificate?

The Online Volunteering service offers a ready made certificate that you may issue to your volunteers. It features the title of the opportunity, the volunteer’s name, and your organization’s name and logo. Once both you and the online volunteer have submitted feedback, the link to issue the certificate will appear next to the online volunteer’s name in the Manage Volunteers section of your organization account.

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Can my organization also post on-site volunteer opportunities on this site?

Online Volunteering service focuses exclusively on online volunteering. Opportunities that ask for volunteers to be physically present at any specific location will not be published.

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Can my organization get funding through the Online Volunteering service?

No. The Online Volunteering service offers support by connecting development organizations with online volunteers who share their time, expertise and ideas.

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