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Scotland’s Volunteering Frameworks:UK, Europe, the World
Vilnius, Lithuania
11th December 2008
Karl Monsen-Elvik
Volunteer Development Scotland &
European Volunteer Centre (CEV)
Themes: Local to Global
Scotland: Our Volunteering Culture in a Devolved State
UK: Legal Frameworks to Support Voluntary Action
Europe: the European Volunteer Centre
International: United Nations Principles for Volunteering.
Context for Volunteering in Scotland
Research evidence-base Baselines: 30% formal, 74%
informal volunteering
Policy Economic value: 1.52 million
volunteers = £1.9 billion
Good practice development Investing in Volunteers standard Accredited training programmes
Partnerships Scottish Government Strategy.
Scotland’s Volunteering Infrastructure
Volunteer Development Scotland National Centre for Excellence
32 Independent Local Volunteer Centres One for each local authority area
Funded by Government Volunteering strategies, initiatives
A Branded Network Logo, standards, reporting, database.
Scotland in a Time of Change
New Scottish Government led by Independents (SNP)
Everything linked to sustainable economic development
Policy focus on “Localism” Volunteering is seen as part of the
solution Building civil society through
individual and joint action People taking independent action
to make Scotland stronger.
UK Volunteering Development
Long/strong volunteering tradition Religious duty, humanitarianism
Well developed infrastructures National Development Centres Local Volunteer Centres
UK Volunteering Forum England, Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland Responding to growing
“professionalisation” of sector Police checking, liability, finance.
Legal Frameworks
Taxation Allowances for NGOs involved in
voluntary action Employment
Volunteers exempt from minimum wage legislation
Social security benefits The right to volunteer without
affecting benefits Child/Adult Protection
Free Disclosures (police checks) for volunteers.
Policy Frameworks
England Commission on the Future of
Volunteering Northern Ireland
Compact between Government & the voluntary/community sector
Scotland Enterprising Third Sector Action
Plan Wales
“Empowering Active Citizens to Contribute to Wales”.
CEV (European Volunteer Centre)
60+ members (and growing) From 24 countries National/Regional – Full members Local/other – Associate members
Secretariat in Brussels Information, newsletters, support
Board of Directors Active in various policy areas Leading/supporting projects Excellent website (www.cev.be).
CEV (European Volunteer Centre)
Objectives: Be a representative and effective voice for volunteering
with the different institutions of the EU Inform members on developments in EU policies that
may have an impact on volunteering Act as a central forum for the exchange of information,
policy and practice on volunteering from the different countries
Support networking opportunities Organise conferences, seminars and other events Initiate research, joint European projects, etc.
Basic Principles of Volunteering
United Nations criteria: Must be a free will choice Without financial gain To the benefit of others
UN 4 categories/types: mutual aid or self-help philanthropy or service to others participation or civic engagement advocacy or campaigning.
The Role of Government (1) Highlight the contribution of volunteering for policy-makers and
the media; Disseminate the results of studies and surveys on the
contribution of volunteerism; Provide, in a way complementary to the support from other
sources, an adequate human and physical infrastructure for volunteering;
Facilitate and otherwise encourage locally-based volunteering development;
Provide or facilitate specialised training; Encourage public sector workers to volunteer; Introduce enabling legislation and facilitate employee
volunteering in all sectors;
The Role of Government (2) Facilitate partnership-building around volunteer-based activities; Encourage and undertake research covering the various aspects
of volunteerism and its impact on society; Ensure citizen access to information on opportunities for
volunteering; Address the possible impact of general social and economic
policy measures upon citizens’ opportunities and willingness to volunteer;
Integrate volunteerism into national development planning; and Promote volunteering within educational establishments.
Volunteering: Challenges & Opportunities
Learning Lessons Together: There is no template Build on what exists
including what is already working Know what you want
based on what is needed Celebrate diversity Protect NGO independence Expect change
anticipate and plan your future.