The role of local communities in promoting volunteering

Through the European Volunteering Capital initiative, the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV) has also highlighted the important role of local authorities in developing strong local volunteering ecosystems. In this interview, we look at some of the lessons from the Congress and explore what municipalities and local communities of different sizes can do to strengthen volunteering, support civil society organisations and create more meaningful opportunities for people to participate in their communities.

Looking back at the CEV Autumn Volunteering Congress, what were the main ideas or discussions that stood out to you regarding the role of municipalities and local communities in strengthening volunteering?

I would say that one of the main messages was that volunteering needs the right environment to thrive. It is not just about having committed volunteers. Local authorities, civil society organisations, schools, businesses and citizens all have a role to play. Municipalities are in a good position to bring these different actors together and make volunteering an important part of community life and democratic participation.

Another key point is inclusion. We need to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get involved, regardless of their background or circumstances. Volunteering is not just about responding to social needs; it also brings people together, builds trust and strengthens solidarity. Local authorities can support this by listening to volunteers and organisations and making participation easier for everyone.

What can local authorities learn from the experiences of the municipalities that have participated in the European Volunteering Capital initiative? Are there any approaches or practices that could be replicated elsewhere in Europe?

The European Volunteering Capital initiative shows that there is no single model for a successful volunteering community. Every municipality has its own social, cultural and institutional context, but political commitment, cooperation with civil society and a long-term vision are essential everywhere. The initiative encourages local authorities to look at what they are already doing, identify what could be improved and put volunteering at the heart of local development.

The four candidates for the 2028 title — Lleida in Spain, Odder in Denmark, Pilsen in Czechia and Reggio Emilia in Italy — offer different examples of how this can work in practice. For instance, Lleida has developed participatory structures and a dedicated monitoring commission, while Odder's Annual Volunteer Meeting (“Frivilligmødet”) brings people together to celebrate volunteering and community life. Other municipalities can learn from these approaches, whether by creating more opportunities for dialogue, developing a local volunteering strategy or recognising volunteers more visibly. The aim is not to copy another municipality exactly, but to learn from its experience and adapt it to the local context.

What does a strong local volunteering ecosystem look like in practice? What are the key elements that need to come together for volunteering to thrive in a local community?

For me, a strong volunteering ecosystem is one where local authorities, organisations and volunteers work together and support one another. This requires clear policies, adequate resources, training, good coordination and opportunities for people to get involved. Most importantly, volunteering must be valued for what it brings to society, not simply seen as a way to provide services at a lower cost. Reggio Emilia, for example, has highlighted a network of around 400 third-sector organisations and 27,000 volunteers. This shows the importance of having many different actors involved. But a strong ecosystem is not just about numbers. It is also about trust, inclusion and the quality of the relationships between people and organisations. And this is just as important in a small town or village as it is in a large city.

How can municipalities build stronger and more meaningful partnerships with civil society organisations and volunteering organisations? What kind of support do these organisations need from local authorities?

I think the first step is to see volunteering organisations as genuine partners, rather than simply as service providers or organisations that receive funding. Local authorities should involve them in discussions about local needs and in the development of policies that affect their communities. Of course, dialogue alone is not enough. Organisations also need practical support, such as reliable funding, suitable spaces, training and simpler administrative procedures. This is particularly important for smaller organisations, which often have fewer resources but play a vital role in their communities. The goal is to help them grow and work effectively while respecting their autonomy.

One of the key challenges for volunteering is ensuring that participation is genuinely inclusive. What can local authorities and communities do to remove barriers and make volunteering more accessible to people with different backgrounds, needs and circumstances?

First, we need to recognise that not everyone has the same opportunities to volunteer. Financial difficulties, language barriers, inaccessible spaces, caring responsibilities or simply not knowing where to start can prevent people from getting involved. Local authorities can help by supporting flexible opportunities, providing accessible information and making sure that organisations have the resources to welcome people with different needs.

It is equally important to involve people who are often underrepresented in volunteering in the design of opportunities and policies that affect them. People experiencing social exclusion, people with disabilities, newcomers and those facing economic difficulties should not be viewed only as beneficiaries of volunteering initiatives, but also as potential volunteers and active contributors to their communities. This is something that Lleida, for example, has understood very well through its “Xarxa Solidària”, which brings together volunteers from different backgrounds and social circumstances, connecting them with local organisations and community initiatives. By promoting mutual support and making volunteering accessible to people in different situations, it helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to their community. Obviously, this requires approaches adapted to the local context: what works in a large city may differ from what is needed in a small town or village. Volunteering can be a powerful means of building relationships and overcoming isolation, provided that participation is genuinely voluntary, accessible and based on mutual respect.

How can municipalities encourage young people to become more involved in volunteering and civic participation, and what role can local organisations play in this?

As a young volunteer, I think people my age are more likely to get involved when they can work on issues they care about and see that their contribution makes a difference. Municipalities can support youth-led initiatives, involve young people in local decision-making and work with schools and universities to make volunteering more accessible. But it is also important to recognise the skills and experience we gain through volunteering, as well as its value for our personal and professional development.

Local organisations can give young people the opportunity to take responsibility, meet people from different generations and turn their ideas into action. Reggio Emilia, for example, promotes “Giovani Protagonisti”, offering young people opportunities to use their skills to contribute to their communities through volunteering. Initiatives like this can help young people feel that they have a real role to play in society. Young people should not just be seen as people to recruit; they should have a real say in shaping volunteering opportunities.

How can municipalities ensure that volunteering is recognised as a form of active citizenship and community participation, rather than simply as an additional resource for delivering services?

We need to recognise that volunteering is about much more than the tasks people carry out. It gives people the opportunity to contribute to society, build relationships and take an active role in their communities. Local authorities can support this by recognising volunteers publicly, involving citizens in decision-making and making volunteering part of their wider vision for local democracy. Pilsen's long-running “Anděl” awards, which recognise volunteers and social-service professionals, are an excellent example of how these contributions can be made more visible.

At the same time, volunteering should never be used as a substitute for public services or paid professionals. Volunteers complement the work of public authorities; they should not be expected to take over their responsibilities. Recognising volunteering means valuing people's freedom to contribute to the common good while giving organisations the support they need to remain independent.

Based on the experiences shared through the European Volunteering Capital initiative, what are some of the main challenges municipalities face when trying to strengthen volunteering, and how can they address them?

One of the biggest challenges is turning good intentions into long-term action. Many municipalities recognise the value of volunteering, but they may lack the resources, coordination or long-term plans needed to support it properly. Organisations can also end up working separately, with too few opportunities to share experiences or work with local authorities. And sometimes, the same people participate again and again, while others remain difficult to reach.

The four EVCapital 2028 candidates offer different perspectives on these challenges, from Lleida's participatory approach to Odder's community activities, Pilsen's recognition of volunteers and Reggio Emilia's broad network of organisations. Their experiences show that there are different ways forward. What matters is having clear goals, involving civil society, providing adequate support and learning from others. In this regard, the European Volunteering Capital initiative can help local authorities reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and learn from other municipalities. But the ultimate aim is to make volunteering part of everyday local life, not just something that receives attention during a particular year.

As 2026 marks the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, what opportunities does this moment create for municipalities and local communities to strengthen volunteering and participation beyond this year?

The International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026 is a great opportunity to raise awareness of volunteering and show how much it contributes to society. It allows municipalities to connect local volunteering initiatives with wider objectives, including social inclusion, environmental sustainability, community resilience and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also an opportunity to bring together public authorities, civil society, businesses and citizens to demonstrate how local action can contribute to broader European and global challenges. The experiences of the EVCapital 2028 candidates offer useful inspiration, showing how different communities can build on local initiatives and turn them into lasting change.

However, the real success of the International Year will depend on what happens afterwards. Local authorities should use this momentum to develop or strengthen long-term volunteering strategies, improve cooperation with civil society, invest in volunteering infrastructure and establish clear commitments that continue beyond 2026. The year should be a starting point for sustained action rather than a one-off celebration.

Finally, if you could give one practical recommendation to a municipality or local community that wants to build a stronger, more inclusive volunteering culture, what would it be?

My advice would be simple: start by listening. Talk to volunteers, volunteering organisations and people who may face barriers to participating. Find out what is already working, what is missing and what support is needed before creating new initiatives. From there, local authorities can work with civil society to develop a shared strategy with clear goals and a long-term commitment.

Building a volunteering culture takes time. It is not just about recruiting more volunteers or organising more activities, it is about creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and feel valued. When municipalities support this and people feel that they belong, volunteering becomes a powerful way to strengthen solidarity, social cohesion and democracy.