November 30, 2024
Young Europeans and volunteering
In the last few years the number of young Europeans involved in volunteering activities has steadily increased. In 2019, 34% of young people stated that they had engaged in organized volunteering activities in the previous 12 months, marking a 10% increase from 2011. Across Europe, the countries with a higher rate of people involved in organized volunteering are Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark, while lower rates are registered in Bulgaria, Montenegro and Serbia.
Benefits of volunteering
The positive impact of volunteering for the beneficiaries is quite evident, but what are the gains for young volunteers? Here’s a closer look at how volunteering enriches the lives of young people:
- Personal growth and development: through volunteering youngsters are more likely to become confident and feel satisfied about themselves. Moreover, they are less likely to engage in dangerous and destructive behavior, such as drug and alcohol abuse.
- Career advancement: with volunteering young people have a chance to develop new skills which will be valuable for their future, such as communication and organization. Moreover, by trying out different things, they can discover their genuine interests and passions, which may help them decide their future academic or professional path. Also, employers usually put a great value on volunteering experiences on the CV, especially for young people who may not have any professional experience.
- Social and civic engagement: though volunteering youngsters can meet new people, diverse in terms of age, race and gender, thus expanding their social circle This also improves their intercultural awareness, compassion and empathy. Lastly, young people learn how to be active citizens and develop a feeling of belonging to their local community.
Personal experiences of young Europeans
Here you will find a couple of experiences from young volunteers in Europe.
Irene, 28, from Italy, local volunteer for ENPA
“The Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali (National Animal Protection Agency) is dedicated to providing first aid and rehabilitative care to animals, including wild ones, in need.
Ever since I was a child, I have always had a passion for animals, which is why I decided to join the organization in 2017. Not only did this experience give me the chance to deepen my knowledge in the sector, but it also contributed to my personal growth. In fact, volunteering with ENPA brings a balance to my life by allowing me to dedicate time to something I truly value outside of my job.”
Mariia, 21, from Ukraine, volunteer for the Brussels Forum
“On April 18-19 2024, the 19th edition of the Brussels Forum was organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, in which I had the pleasure to participate. Working behind the scenes as a volunteer, I gained valuable insights on event production, smooth functioning of the proceedings and guest relations. In addition, the whole volunteer team was taking an active part in many of the panels held on transatlantic relations, diversity, AI and the war in Ukraine. It was a great opportunity to listen to insights from highly experienced speakers. I am really grateful to the GMF team and fellow volunteers who made the annual Brussels Forum an unforgettable experience of participation and learning about the ongoing European challenges and issues.”
If you’ve been considering volunteer opportunities but haven’t yet taken the plunge, now is the time to start! We are sure that volunteering will bring a positive effect not only on those surrounding you but also on your life.
If you are interested in volunteering, we invite you to the Volunteering Gala 2024 – “Laury Zasłużonych”, on December 5, 2024, organized by our organization LEVEL UP. More information about this event can be found in the event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/AcVW4AHsR1w8NCqj/?mibextid=9l3rBW .
Sources:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_scp19__custom_13899494/default/bar?lang=en