International Volunteer Day, December 5, is marked around the world as a reminder of the day in 1970 when United Nations Volunteers programme was initiated. The aim is to encourage as many people as possible to volunteer.
When it comes to volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, some earlier studies showed that some youth have a negative attitude towards volunteering because it mostly means unpaid work. Studies then accentuated that this is not the solution for youth who are living in a bad economic situation, especially considering that volunteering somewhere does not necessary imply employment. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that most are ready to volunteer and this type of work means better chances for employment.
According to the latest “Youth Voices”research study from 2012, it appears that volunteering is not a common practice in the educational institutions in BiH either. The results show that only 10.3% of respondents volunteered in a community/local organisation or group. They have mostly done it once or twice a year. Most young people did not engage in volunteering- mostly, they say, because no one had asked them (38.9%), then, a lack of time (24.4%), as well as underinformedness/lack of knowledge of volunteering opportunities (15.9%). These are followed by a lack of interest (15.1%), the idea it is exploitation (2.3%), it has no effect (2.0%) and other reasons (1.4%), stated Amila Dedi?, Institute for Youth Development KULT project coordinator.
A certain number of youth states gaining experience or practice as the first association when volunteering comes up. Adopting Youth Law FBiH contributed to youth work area in FBiH. The greatest significance of this law is that volunteering in one’s professional area will be acknowledged as working experience.
It is the lack of working experience among youth that is one of the greatest obstacles in competing and selection to most work positions, and, on the other hand, the employers state the lack of experience as a reason for a lack of staff. This law aims to have youth reach work experience easier. In addition, it is important to state that volunteering affects the development of personal confidence and capacity rise, because youth who gain experience through volunteering have better chances of being a part of the labour market.
The ministries cognizant for implementing legal solutions related to volunteering should tackle the implementation of these regulations to have a positive practice enabled by these legal provisions. Hopefully, the Law on Volunteering FBiH will prompt authorities, directions, agencies, institutes, courts and other public institutions and nongovernment organisations to give chances to young volunteers, and for youth to see volunteering as a chance for gaining work experience.
Implementation of a stronger campaign, volunteering significance promotion, informedness and raising awareness in youth, students, unemployed, employers and public sector on the importance of volunteering aiming to increase employment possibilities and make volunteering organisers’ registry, added Dedi?.
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