Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Volunteers are driven by non-material things such as leisure, the desire to be useful, and self-realization.

MOSCOW, September 1, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study devoted to the volunteers’ motivation.

Half of Russians (48%) say that leisure activities play an important role when choosing to volunteer. About a third of respondents need to feel useful (37%), to implement personal initiatives (32%), to gain new knowledge or skills (31%).

Three-quarters (77%) say they have received acknowledgment certificates and souvenirs as a reward. At the same time, certificates and presents are not essential for volunteers: 91% say that they would continue volunteering if they did not receive anything in return. However, additional supportive measures would increase involvement: two-thirds (66%) say they would be more involved in volunteering.

When it comes to rewards, many respondents appear to be motivated by leisure-related activities (opportunity to meet a celebrity, cultural or sport event invitation, and tour or trip organization). Recommendations are also important (recommendations for future course, to enter university or for job search). Thirty-five percent say that they like the opportunity to meet celebrities; 32% appreciate the opportunity to take courses; 30% like getting invitations for cultural events (30%). Financial benefits are less important (reduced transport tickets, air/train tickets, cheaper mobile phone/Internet services, preferential tariffs for communal services).

The Medialogia Company carried out an analysis of more than 600,000 mentions devoted to volunteering in the Russian media over a year. The media reported that volunteers participated in children’s search operation on Lake Ladoga, distributed the St George’s ribbons, helped to ensure order when people were lining up to see the relics of St Nicholas, helped in the organization of the FIFA Confederations Cup and other actions. President Vladimir Putin also touched upon volunteering.

The survey was conducted by VCIOIM from July 21 to August 15, 2017, and commissioned by the Association of Volunteer Centers and the Russian Civic Chamber. Data collection was carried out via Internet; the sample is based on the contact list of the Association of Volunteer Centers comprising volunteers on a regular and temporary basis; a total number of 25,000 contacts and 5,687 individuals participated in the survey. The sample can be biased towards all the persons involved in volunteering activities in Russia on a regular or temporary basis.

The Russian media publications were monitored and analyzed by the Medialogia Company using the company’s media database involving approximately 42,000 media sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, news agencies and online media. The study took place from August 2016 to August 2017.

 

Why do you volunteer? (closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %)

 

Total respondents

Desire to have interesting activities, to live an active life

48

Desire to be useful

37

Desire to realize one’s full potential, initiatives; self-realization  

32

Desire to get extra knowledge, skills, qualification

31

Opportunity to solve common problems – personal problems and problems of other people

26

Desire to get new experience needed for future employment

18

Desire to realize one’ s ideas, values

17

Opportunity to get useful connections

15

Getting incentives – event invitations, trips; to meet famous people, et cet.

14

Desire to make new friends, acquaintances

14

Need to communicate with people, belong to a group  

12

Desire to  engage in the activities of non-profit organizations, to do it professionally

7

Desire to get references for future employer or university

5

Other

1

Don't know

2

 

Have you ever received intangible rewards for volunteering? If yes, how often?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Regularly

15

Sometimes

37

Once or several times

25

Never

17

Don't know

6

 

What did your receive as a reward?

 (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who say they received rewards)

 

Total respondents

Acknowledgement

54

Presents and souvenirs

47

Invitations for cultural and sports events

16

Public recognition

11

Food

10

Trips, tour packages

6

Other

26

We do not need rewards, we do not ask anything in return

1

Don't know

2

 

If there were no rewards, would you continue volunteering? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who say they received rewards)

 

Total respondents

Definitely yes

61

Rather yes

30

Rather no

5

Definitely no

1

Don't know

3

 

If there were more intangible rewards, would you be more involved in volunteering?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who say they received rewards)

 

Total respondents

Definitely yes

31

Rather yes

35

Rather no

12

Definitely no

6

Don't know

16

 

In your opinion, what could encourage volunteers like you?  

(closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %)

 

Total respondents

Leisure activities

To meet celebrities (culture, sports),  political figures

35

Invitations for cultural events

30

Invitations to visit sports events

9

Museum and exhibition invitations

6

Cinema invitations

5

Recommendations

To take courses

32

Assistance, recommendations to enter a university

17

Education benefits

17

Assistance, recommendations for job search

16

Financial benefits

Reduced air/train tickets

19

Reduced public transport fares

17

Reduced or free mobile phone/Internet services

9

Preferential tariffs for housing and communal services

9

Other motivations

Media publication with participant references

9

Include volunteer hours into work experience internship

6

Additional days off work

5

To have names posted on the recognition board

5

Other

11

 

 

We do not need rewards, we do not ask anything in return

10

Don't know

2


Note:
Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.

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