STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The history of voluntary work in Lithuania At the beginning of 1990 Lithuania voluntary work was seen as volunteering in the country military service. From later on the approach to volunteering has changed. Lithuanians associate the word “Voluntary work” most often with: Their own volition, voluntary activities; Army, army volunteers; Work without remuneration.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The possibility of finding an official definition of voluntary work Concept of Voluntary Work in Lithuania Decree N°1511 of 13th December 2001 establishes in its general provisions a definition of voluntary work, volunteers, and volunteer and voluntary work organisers.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences In Lithuania Voluntary work is understood as the action performed with the free will of the individual and with no remuneration for the purposes established by the Law on Charity and Sponsorship.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The main aims of voluntary work are: protection of human rights, integration of minorities, fostering cultural, religious and traditional values, educational, scientific and vocational development, non-formal and civic education, sports,

social security and work, health care, national safety and defence, law and order, crime prevention, adjustment of living environment and housing development, protection of copyright, environment protection, other fields. STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences

In Lithuania only certain types of organizations can offer voluntary work. Political parties and trade unions are included in this category.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Volunteers are ‘individuals working for benefit of society on their free will under no pressure, and receiving no remuneration’. Lithuanian citizens and citizens of other states residing in Lithuania are lawfully allowed to perform voluntary work.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The law specifies that children between 14 and 16 must have written consent from at least one of their parents or representative of the child in accordance with the law in order to be able to carry out voluntary work. Volunteers under 18 years old must also fulfil the requirements established by the corresponding resolution regarding procedures for employment and health examinations affecting individuals under 18 years old.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The field and areas of voluntary work In Lithuania typical volunteer activities or volunteering are often associated with these three activities: Help patients, handicapped, old nursing home; Environmental management; Blood, organ donor.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The most interesting activities for volunteers are: Environmental protection, handling (31%); Help children and young people (28%); Help the elderly (19%);

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The statistics revealed that the main fields of voluntary work where Lithuanians are engaged are: Solidarity and humanitarian aid – 26 % Health care - 43% Education and training -17% Environment - 19%

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Social inclusion of disadvantaged citizens - 16% Protection of human rights - 23% Active ageing - 10% Employment - 17% Sport - 7 % Culture - 10%

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Statistics and data The majority age group involved in voluntary activities is year old youth, who attend school or studies, are alone, or live in rural areas. Among all age groups, older and single people are least likely to participate in any voluntary activities.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The best-known voluntary organizations in Lithuania are long-acting organizations with their own traditions, whose activities are regularly covered in the media. Examples in Lithuanian are: Lithuanian Red Cross society (77%); Caritas (72%); Save the Children, Lithuania (“Gelbėkime vaikus“) (65%).

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences The best-known voluntary organizations in Lithuania

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences According Eurobarometer/European Parliament 75.2 (2011) 24 percentages of Lithuanians currently have a voluntary activity on a regular or occasional basis. On a regular basis – 4%, on an occasional basis – 20 % The level of volunteering in Lithuania is not high (comparing to EU). Only less then 10% of the total population participates in volunteering activities (the same situation is in Bulgaria, Greece and Italy, according the data provided by EC „EurobarometEr 73“, 2010.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Most famous voluntary organizations in Lithuania: Save the Children; Lithuanian Caritas; Order of Malta helpdesk; Food Bank; "Youth Line"; Public Institution "Children Support Centre”; Public organization "Youth Psychological Aid Centre”; Lithuanian Scouts; Public organization "Actio Catholica Patria"; Do not Delay; Lithuanian Red Cross Society; And others.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences People’s motivations for voluntary work The main reasons that encourage people to engage in voluntary activities are: The desire to help others (59%); Necessary and meaningful way to spend your time (30%); Find friends; communicate with people (20%); The maintenance of ideas that they support (19%).

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences People do not engage in the voluntary work because of: The lack of time (41%); The lack of awareness of where and how to participate and volunteer (26%); Health disability (20%); Feeling incapable to help others (14%).

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Activities areaMotivations Culture, sports events and promotions The possibility to spend leisure time usefully, possibility for communication with others, personal satisfaction. Social services and health care The spiritual satisfaction, a sense of moral responsibility, compassion, willingness to help others. PoliticsThe belief that they can influence political processes that contribute to solving local government problems.

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Main benefits of voluntary work: It maintains and strengthens social cohesion – 20 % It strengthens the fundamental values of solidarity in the EU - 15% It contributes to the personal fulfilment and development of volunteers – 22 % It facilitates the acquisition of knowledge and skills which encourage integration in working life - 24%

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences It gives Europeans the opportunity to develop their participation in civic life - 24% It plays an important role in sustainable development and the protection of the environment - 14% It plays an important role in the EU economy - 18%

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences Gender patterns Comparing gender patterns for voluntary activities according the data provided by EC „Eurobarometer 73“, 2010 there are no differences between participation in voluntary activities between numbers of men and women (the same situation is in other countries).

STUDENT CLUB of University of Applied Social Sciences THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!!!