The collective achievements of our dedicated volunteers illustrate how we as individuals can make a difference to the lives of others, and effect positive change in the countries where we travel. With an emerging volunteer culture in Eastern Europe, the importance of establishing partnerships with local organizations through your volunteer efforts cannot be understated - building their capacity to achieve their visions and make this world a better place.

As the program continues to develop, ISV is excitedly working towards hosting the first ever Eastern Europe Volunteer Project Workshop. A gathering of private landowners, NGO’s, and other stakeholders designed to help small organizations and landowners develop volunteer programs, strengthen the components of existing projects, as well as share experiences and innovative ideas.

ISV would like to express our gratitude to our volunteers for their time and efforts this past summer. We hope that you are looking back proudly at that which you accomplished as an active global citizen, as part of the ISV team, and feel inspired to continue to make a difference back home. In the words of Margaret Mead, "A small group of people could change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has."

Tasks Accomplished with 212 students in 21 groups:

• 3065hrs running educational activities with children (300+ children participating)
• 2500hrs on community construction works with the local community (schools, village homes, community centers)
• 200m2 painting works completed at local schools
• Beautification works for the community – 2 murals painted, 55 ornamental trees planted,  60kg glass recycled, 20 garbage bags trash collected, 6kms river cleaned
• 429hrs spent renovating volunteer accommodations to increase the communities capacity to implement their projects
• 555hrs constructing protective enclosures for wildlife
• 275hrs Constructing permanent forest water reservoirs for wildlife
• 67hrs feeding orphaned baby bears
• 105 hrs spent assisting the competitors of the World Rafting Championship
• 1274hrs maintaining hiking trails in nature (9km of trails maintained)
• 400hrs supporting community agricultural works with local community members (tending fields, eco gardens, composting works)