Voluntary work: Young people are so committed

There are many prejudices about Generation Z. Laziness and spoiledness are just two of them. The assumption that this is not only for the job, but also for voluntary commitment applies, is obvious. But the assumption is obviously wrong – every second person in Generation Z does volunteer work. This is now shown by a new study by the Institute for Management and Economic Research commissioned by the consulting firm Baulig Consulting.

Of the 3,000 respondents, 49 percent of 15 to 30 year olds stated that they were involved in social and political goals in their free time. A surprising number – especially because associations and societies have been complaining about declining membership numbers for years.

Many clubs have lost members during the pandemic

The concern of associations and initiatives is confirmed by Katarina Peranic, head of the German Foundation for Engagement and volunteering. “Many of them lost members during the pandemic,” explains Peranic, adding: “There are great concerns about young people, especially in rural and structurally weak regions.”

In Germany there is noisy Federal Ministry of the Interior around 29 million people who do voluntary work. A considerable proportion should therefore also come from the younger generation.

The study conducted online by Baulig Consulting suggests that this commitment typically occurs in clubs for Sport, culture and music takes place. The work of Daniel Zeh, who works as a coach and on the board of his home volleyball club VC 06 Hirschaid, also falls into this category.

“I’m totally satisfied with the work and I know that I’m doing something with them young people can do,” said the 25-year-old. “I’m not just a trainer, I also have a role model function and am an advisor in certain situations,” says Zeh.

Also read: Does the younger generation no longer want to work?

Voluntary work depends on the financial situation

The student thinks it’s important that there are sports activities for children and young people. Although he invests about twelve hours a week in the club with preparation and training sessions, he doesn’t get any money for his Work.

“I know the club couldn’t afford to pay me, but of course it would be nice to do so Money to get,” says Zeh. Only thanks to another job alongside his studies can he continue to be involved in volleyball.

The pedagogy student is also addressing one of the core results of the study – you have to be able to afford voluntary work. Consequently increases unpaid engagement with a higher income. People who have less than 100 euros at their disposal are 37 percent less active in voluntary work than those who receive 2,000 to 4,000 euros. Here the proportion of those oriented towards the common good is 64 percent.

In addition, one’s own salary seems to have an influence on the type of voluntary work. The largest proportion of those at a volunteer firefighters or are active in a rescue service earn 4,000 euros or more.

Read here: Volunteer work – This is how you are properly protected as a volunteer

Young people are always more flexible and spontaneous in their commitment

In addition to the classic involvement in clubs, the volunteer work outside of these structures is becoming increasingly important. Accordingly, seven percent of those surveyed are in a citizens’ initiative and six percent in aid organizations such as Greenpeace or Fridays for Future active. “In our Generation not all of them are necessarily active in the club, but rather in collectives, associations or in protest organizations”, confirms Lina Urbat, who has been doing voluntary work since she was 13 years old.

Also interesting: The boomer twilight – does the generational cooperation work?

With her commitment to Blindspots eV, the student is one of the 14 percent who work in a club, but she also sees more and more spontaneous and flexible voluntary work in her area. “It’s more like you help out in the summer, a Festival to organize or sometimes there at one Demo supported,” says Urbat.

Your assessment is also confirmed by the Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering. “It is interesting that volunteering in an informal setting (e.g. initiatives) has increased, i.e. where there are fewer management positions (e.g. board of directors) than in formal organizations,” explains Peranic.

Generation Z – Political work is taking place less and less in parties

Reasons for the gratuitous Mission are there many. For Urbat, the most important thing is the feeling of being able to make a contribution. “Volunteering gives you the opportunity to shape society yourself, to work in a community and to try things out,” says the 27-year-old. The work she does at Blindspots, an association that supports refugees at the EU’s external borders, has both humanitarian and political traits.

This confirms the results of the Institute for Management and Economic Research, which found that almost three quarters of young Germans are for Politics interested, but only two percent of them are actively involved in a party. The study results make it clear that income also plays a role here. Only from an income of 2000 euros does the commitment in the parties increase to seven percent.

In addition to income and access that the younger generation could lack for voluntary work, Peranic points out that those who have difficult access to volunteering must be considered. “People with disabilities, people with a history of flight or migration, educationally disadvantaged people. According to Peranic, these should definitely be considered and addressed. “Commitment is always an important building block for participation.“

More articles from this category can be found here: Politics