1. The Benefits of Volunteering for Refugees
Evidence from the Netherlands
13th International Conference of ISTR
C14, July 10, 2018, pm | Amsterdam
René Bekkers, Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Linda Bakker, Significant
Younes Younes, VU
Peer Smets, VU
Jan Reitsma, Significant

2. Take home points Results Recommendations
Volunteering often does not meet expectations of volunteers
Volunteering does not give access to paid work
Refugees value volunteering for its social and psychological benefits
Recommendations
Matchmakers should better manage expectations of refugees about volunteering
Volunteering opportunities can be designed to maximize effects on integration…
…by organizing volunteer work in groups, and
…by providing opportunities to learn the Dutch language

3. What NPOs hoped & we thought would be the results
Give refugees a nice time, distraction from life in an Asylum Seeking Center (ASC)
Let refugees do work that is useful for NPOs
Give refugees relevant work experience
Thought
What refugees get out of volunteering depends on their expectations (VFI)
Volunteering can build social connections and benefit mental health (ITSSOIN)
Volunteering will not help refugees find jobs – it does not work like that for native citizens or migrants either

4. The data we gathered and how we analyzed them
Archival data from the refugee accommodation organization (COA)
Interviews with host and intermediary nonprofit organizations
Interviews with 36 refugees in ASCs from Eritrea and 48 from Syria at 4 different locations, in their mother tongue
Analysis
Odds ratios comparing registered volunteer status with all refugees
Thematic analysis of interview data

5. First things first Priorities in life Priorities in volunteering
“My priority now is to get my family here. Then ... if everything is okay, maybe I'll do volunteer work. Or I will look for a job to buy a car and then work as a driver.”
Syrian refugee
Priorities in volunteering
“I did not participate. I was not happy that the volunteer work was part of the ASC. The ASC was a former prison. I cannot get rid of the idea of being in a prison. We want something in society, near a Dutch neighbourhood which offers the possibility of making contact with Dutch people.” Syrian refugee

6. Social and psychological benefits
“In Nijmegen my personal life has changed enormously due to volunteer work (...) I carefully thought about how I could get in touch with the Dutch. I could do volunteer work like helping at a festival, catering and a walking event of four days. When I arrived in the Netherlands, unfortunately I had no friend, house and money. I had nothing, only hope and we still have hope. Becoming acquainted started with volunteering.” Syrian refugee
I clean (…) It helps me to get rid of my stress. I do not like cleaning. It is not my passion and it is not a job for a man.”
Eritrean refugee

7. Refugee education and volunteering

8. Command of Dutch and volunteering