The first National Volunteering Strategy was published in December 2020. The strategy, produced in collaboration with the community and voluntary and business sectors, provides a vision and road map for both volunteers and those organisations who benefit from the work of volunteers.
The Strategy comprises five high level objectives, with 56 associated actions, and outlines a whole-of-government framework to support the volunteering environment.
Since the publication of the National Volunteering Strategy the budget for volunteering has steadily increased, going from €3.5m in 2021 to €6.6m this year.
While the Strategy as a whole aims to increase participation in volunteering and increase awareness on how people can use their skills, interests and education to contribute to society, my Department has provided funding to implement actions which specifically address the area. These include:
• Action 1 - Introduce flexible volunteering options through the delivery of a time and needs match programme
• Action 2 - Provide public information and more awareness programmes to enable people to volunteer:
• from marginalised communities
• from ethnic minorities
• with disabilities.
• Action 13 – Support volunteer involving organisations to introduce task based volunteering as an alternative to role based volunteering where people can volunteer for a task as opposed to a role.
• Action 37 - Develop a national communications strategy on volunteering.
In addition, my Department provides funding each year to support Volunteer Ireland and the network of 29 Volunteer Centres across the country to provide support and capacity building for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations. The Department has also provided funding to The Wheel to assist in the delivery of the volunteering element of WE ACT, a national public awareness campaign celebrating the community and voluntary sector and encouraging people to participate.
Further information on progress implementing the National Volunteering Strategy is available at gov - National Volunteering Strategy – Annual Updates (www.gov.ie)
