Statistical tools for measuring volunteering

Key points

Taking into account that volunteering is an important driver of inclusive growth, a key factor in many economic and social policies and a research subject which is currently insufficiently measured, the Committee calls on the European Commission:

• to put in place the conditions to start methodological work and research into volunteer work by national statistical offices from the EU Member States. In so doing, use should be made of the International Labour Organisation's Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work;
• to work on a standardised methodology for research into volunteer work and to ensure its adoption by the Member States, via an appropriate EU Regulation;
• to gather and make available consistent information resulting from research into volunteering conducted in individual countries or at EU level;
• to introduce legal measures binding at the EU and Member States level which would enable the non-profit sector to co-finance public grants with the economic value of volunteer work.  

The EESC uses this opportunity to reiterate the need for a favourable environment and support for voluntary activities.

More info

Statistical tools for measuring volunteering - EESC Opinion

Comparable data on volunteering in the individual EU Member States has never been available. Such activities, however, represent real economic value and this data could provide a very useful tool for facilitating implementation of many social and economic policies. Therefore the Committee calls on the European Commission to work on a standardised methodology for research into volunteer work and to ensure its adoption by the Member States via an appropriate EU Regulation. In so doing, use should be made of the ILO Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work. The Commission should also introduce binding legal measures to enable the non-profit sector to co-finance public grants with the economic value of volunteer work.

The role of voluntary activities in social policy - Council Conclusions