It may seem redundant to explain what volunteering is, but studies show that the general public has many misconceptions about volunteering. A recent study on social dimension of volunteerism in Bosnia and Herzegovina found that here too there is significant lack of understanding or misunderstanding as to what is considered volunteering. So, let us immediately clarify: volunteering is not every unpaid job or apprenticeship, and it certainly is not forced free labour.

What IS volunteering?

Volunteerism is an expression of a core principle of most cultures, as well as of the United Nations system: that by working together on a voluntary basis, everyone can participate in, and benefit from, social development. Volunteerism can include mutual aid and self-help, service delivery, campaigning and advocacy, as well as other forms of civic participation.

Throughout history, volunteerism has been a part of almost every society, particularly in addressing communal needs - such as planting and harvesting, coping with disasters and conflict, overcoming poverty and enhancing a spirit of solidarity within the community. Although its value is not always recognized, volunteerism is a fundamental source of community strength and resilience.

Volunteering has common roots, but manifests itself through an enormous diversity. This ranges from the highly organized global operations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, around the world aimed at improving the conditions of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, to the self-help voluntary activities of community burial.

Some key universal principles of volunteerism are:

• Actions are carried out freely and without coercion

• Financial gain is not the main motivating principle

• There is a beneficiary other than the volunteer

Volunteering can be carried out by everyone. It is reciprocal in nature: the benefits of volunteering accrue to both beneficiary and volunteer alike. To learn more about how you can help both others and yourself through volunteerism.