What is the value of working with Volunteer Experts in tandem with paid staff and consultants?
Volunteer Experts can provide greater flexibility and availability at reduced cost. They also bring in vast experience on specific technical areas that complement the experienced field management and local staffing of our members. The knowledge exchange between VEs and local staff and clients provides a strong basis for sustainable development especially since many volunteers, with their greater availability, maintain relationships with the local community long after assignments have ended. They also sometimes continue to conduct support activities back in the US through advocacy and outreach in their hometown communities. Volunteers may also be recent graduate students who are interested in sharing their newly-developed skills with communities, businesses, or governments. These graduate students are VEGA’s Long Term Business Advisers (or LTBA) who can be integrated into any VEGA program.
