Mountain Alliance for Pastoralists & Minority People

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026)
Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists
www.minoritymap.org/rg

Youth Volunteering Programme

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

1. About the Call

The Youth Volunteering Programme, under the framework of the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) as part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), is pleased to invite applications for Youth Volunteers. The WBRG is the regional initiative meant to organize about 15 Zonal Gatherings between 19 April and 31 May 2026, bringing together pastoralists, youths, researchers, civil society organisations, and practitioners across the Western Balkans region.

Youth Volunteers will play a key role in mobilizing communities, supporting event coordination, strengthening youth participation, and contributing to awareness-raising and policy dialogue.

2. Assignment Details

Position Title: Youth Volunteer (WBRG)
Assignment Type: Youth Volunteer (On-site and/ or Online)
Host Entity: Youth Volunteering Programme – WBRG (facilitated by The Grassroots Institute)
Duty Locations:

• Albania
• Kosovo
• North Macedonia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Montenegro
• Serbia

Assignment Duration: 3 months
Start Date: 1 March 2026                               End Date: 31 May 2026
Some tasks may be conducted remotely through online volunteering modalities.

3. Background and Context

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to recognize the critical role of rangelands and pastoralist communities in sustaining ecosystems, food security, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. To realize the IYRP’s objectives in the Western Balkans region, the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) aims to:

• Create spaces for dialogue, exchange, and learning about pastoralism
• Promote sustainable rangeland stewardship
• Strengthen pastoralist livelihoods and entitlements
• Support environmental protection and climate adaptation
• Encourage youth participation in democratic and community life
• Promote human rights of shepherds in national and international contexts

4. Role and Responsibilities

Youth Volunteers will support the programme during three main phases:

A. Pre-Event Phase (March–April 2026)
Volunteers will:

• Support outreach and mobilization of shepherds and youth participants
• Assist in social media and communication campaigns
• Contribute to pastoralist surveys and data collection
• Support partnership and sponsorship outreach
• Assist in fundraising activities
• Provide linguistic support (Macedonian, Serbian, Albanian, English, French)

B. Event Phase (April–May 2026)
Volunteers will:

• Assist with event management and coordination
• Provide logistical and secretariat support
• Facilitate youth engagement activities and sessions
• Support documentation, reporting, and communications
• Provide interpretation and communication support

C. Post-Event Phase (May 2026)
Volunteers will:

• Contribute to drafting recommendations and policy inputs
• Support dissemination of event outcomes

5. Eligibility Criteria

A) Youth Volunteer Category

Applicants must:

• Be aged between 18 and 35 years
• Demonstrate motivation and commitment to volunteerism
• Be willing to contribute to environmental and community initiatives
• High School diploma qualification is required, or above education. In exceptional cases, the educational qualification will be exempted.

Youth can apply:

• Individually
• As part of formal or informal youth groups
• Through schools, universities, or youth organisations

Priority consideration will be given to:

• Students
• Youth from rural, mountainous, and marginalized communities

Senior Volunteer Category (others roles too)
Applicants must:

• Have age of 35 or above
• Possess relevant expertise and experience
• Be willing to mentor youth volunteers diligently

6. Required Competencies

Core Competencies

• Commitment to volunteerism
• Ability to work in teams
• Respect for diversity and inclusion
• Interest in environmental protection and sustainable development
• Strong communication skills

Desirable Skills
At least one skill of the following is desired:

• Social media and communications
• Event organization
• Survey design and data collection
• Community outreach and mobilization
• Fundraising and partnership outreach
• Multilingual communication

7. Training, Supervision, and Support

Selected volunteers will receive:

• Orientation and training prior to assignment
• Ongoing supervision by Zonal Coordinators and apex team members
• Mentorship support, where applicable

8. Conditions of Service

Please note:

• This is a voluntary and unpaid assignment
• Reimbursement of eligible expenses may be considered under specific conditions
• Volunteers will receive an official Certificate of Participation
• Outstanding volunteers may receive recognition awards

9. Learning and Development Opportunities

Through this volunteer experience, participants will:

• Gain hands-on professional experience
• Develop leadership and organisational skills
• Strengthen intercultural and regional cooperation competencies
• Contribute to environmental protection and climate action
• Engage in democratic participation and policy dialogue
• Participate in drafting recommendations for regional and international stakeholders

Partner organisations may also provide guidance for further academic or professional opportunities.

10. How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the website https://www.minoritymap.org and find announcement for Youth Volunteers where a link for Application Form will be available. You can also directly click the Google Form https://forms.gle/oRB5DaksouwzSkyu9 and fill in the Form.

11. Further Information

Regional Coordinator – Youth Volunteering Programme
Martine Wolff
Tel: +355 68 544 3237
Email: martine.wolff@yahoo.com

Regional Coordinator – Media & Communication
Philippe Bertinchamps
Email: philippebertinchamps@hotmail.com

12. Equal Opportunity Statement

The Youth Volunteering Programme is committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications are strongly encouraged from young people of all backgrounds, particularly those from rural, mountainous, and marginalized communities. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of gender, ethnicity, social background, disability, or other status.