Research conducted with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) reveals how and why volunteering interventions impact upon poverty.
The report summarises findings from the global action research project, 'Valuing Volunteering', which explores how and why volunteering contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable positive change, and the factors which prevent it from doing so. It looks at both the intended and unintended impacts of volunteering interventions.
Whilst a wealth of research has explored how volunteering affects volunteers themselves, there has been very little research exploring how volunteering actually brings about change for communities on the ground. Valuing Volunteering seeks to address this gap.
Download ‘The role of volunteering in sustainable development.’ [PDF]
How and why does volunteering impact on poverty?
The findings from the research demonstrate that volunteering contributes to sustainable development in the following ways:
- Inclusion: extends the reach of public services to the poorest and most marginalised
- Innovation: creates new forms of collaboration that lead to social innovation
- Ownership: strengthens local ownership of development processes
- Participation: creates a pathway to people’s participation and active citizenship
- Inspiration: exposes communities to different cultural norms and ideas
Read the research summary [PDF] to learn more about the findings and their implications.
About the research
Valuing Volunteering research was conducted over a two-year period (2012–2014) in four countries: Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal and The Philippines.
Led by four VSO volunteer researchers and drawing on participatory action research methodologies, the research engaged more than 3,700 people, including local volunteer groups, community leaders, young people, teachers, health practitioners, community leaders, government officials and staff and volunteers from local, national and international NGOs.
Although the project was commissioned by VSO, its aim is to inform learning and practice across the development sector.
Four of the 12 case studies that inform the research relate specifically to VSO projects. Between them they cover a range of volunteer interventions, from self-help and community volunteering through to formal national and international volunteering programmes supported by different organisations and institutions.
The case studies explore the contribution of volunteering across different contexts and issues including; access to education and health, governance, and the environment.
Download ‘The role of volunteering in sustainable development’ [PDF]
Further information
For more details on the Valuing Volunteering research, or to access the literature review and full series of case studies, contact Miriam Karim, Knowledge and Learning Coordinator: miriam.karim@vsoint.org.