History and background of SVIT-Ukraine
The Ukrainian NGO working group on volunteering, SVIT (Solidarity, Volunteering, Initiative, Tolerance), was formed in fall 2000. The word svit means world in Ukrainian. Through its name, SVIT members indicate their willingness to learn about volunteer initiatives internationally and to share their experiences both internationally and within Ukraine.
Ukraine has 48 million residents and the largest territory among European countries. The situation in Ukraine is such that experience and knowledge are concentrated in the capitol, and most activities are organized there as well, while regions suffer from lack of information and opportunities. In the provinces, there are few opportunities for young Ukrainians to get involved in extra-curricular activities, to do something for their communities and for personal development. Poor infrastructure and travel options also have hindered development.
SVIT was initiated by four environmental NGOs in eastern Ukraine, and a working group was formed in October 2000. The four organisations Environmental and Cultural Center Bakhmat, Ecocenter-K, Gorlovka Youth Environmental League and Gaya agreed to develop exchange activities in future and create contacts with organisations working in the field of volunteering. The people decided to form a working group that can work together on joint ventures or projects to develop the volunteer work in their regions.
NGO members of SVIT have experience in local environmental, social and cultural work, involving community and youth in projects. Members also have contacts with many grassroots organizations. We see volunteering as an ideal tool to develop democratic society and to demonstrate to communities how to solve local problems with local resources. We also realize that theres lack of information and adequate understanding of volunteerism among Ukrainians. In most cases, the word volunteer is associated with soviet times when voluntary activities were organized by order of authorities, and it was obligatory to participate. Thus, we see it as our mission to develop and promote youth volunteerism in our regions.
In October 2002 two more organizations have joined the working group, Zeleny Svit Lugansk and EcoPravo-Kharkov. It has opened possibilities for SVIT to organize activities in Lugansk and Kharkov regions. Gaya has left SVIT due to lack of activists willing to participate to international volunteer activities.
Cooperation of SVIT with international voluntary organizations was developing further, in 2003 we became a partner, and in 2004 a member (group) of Service Civil International. In 2004 during the annual assembly a new member has joined the working group, Center of Students Initiatives Berdyansk Institute of Youth. Same general assembly resulted in decision to officially register the working group as Ukrainian non-governmental organization. In April 2005 EcoPravo-Kharkov has hosted constituent assembly which resulted in adoption of a Constitution, election of President, Vice-president and Coordinating Committee. The procedure of registration was completed in November 2, 2005 when official registration certificate was received for Interregional Voluntary Organization SVIT-Ukraine, active on the territory of five south-eastern provinces: Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkov, Zaporozhje and Dnepropetrovsk. The main aim of the organization is to promote development of volunteer movement in Ukraine.