Volunteers are considered groups of individuals who actively engage in activities that benefit both individuals and society as a whole, in a voluntary and altruistic manner. While volunteerism is thriving in many countries worldwide, its presence in our country has not been as pronounced, despite its significant role in societal development being recognized.
Presently, there are over 100 prominent professional volunteer organizations operating in close to a hundred countries, receiving support from governments across various sectors, highlighting the pivotal role of volunteerism in the socio-economic advancement of societies.
Due to the absence of a well-defined mechanism to regulate volunteer activities in our country, there exist potential gaps in legislation, which may lead to possible negative repercussions. To address such concerns and promote this form of engagement, the Law No. 585 "On Volunteer Activities" was enacted on December 2, 2019.
Article 3 of this law defines the fundamental concepts of volunteer activities:
Volunteer: a physical person engaged in volunteer activities;
- Volunteerism: voluntary activities of physical and (or) legal persons aimed at benefiting individuals and (or) legal entities through the unpaid performance of activities based on their own will;
- Volunteer activity: activities aimed at benefiting individuals and (or) legal entities, based on their own will, carried out free of charge and on a voluntary basis, oriented towards society.
The goals and objectives of volunteer activities are:
The objectives of volunteer activities include assisting individuals and legal entities in society, protecting the environment, participating in events that enhance the societal significance of their organizers, promoting civil engagement, self-organization, and self-help, fostering social responsibility, mutual assistance, and compassion.
According to the law, the tasks of volunteer activities include:
Developing mechanisms to involve various public initiatives in improving citizens' living conditions;
- Assisting in addressing social issues in society;
- Developing civic initiatives in the field of volunteerism and supporting them;
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle, fostering patriotism;
- Encouraging individuals to take personal responsibility for addressing social tasks and self-organization.
According to the law, individuals over the age of eighteen can participate in volunteer activities. Individuals aged sixteen to eighteen may also participate in volunteer activities, provided that such activities do not harm their health and moral development, do not interfere with the educational process, and do not impede the fulfillment of educational duties.
To carry out activities aimed at preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergencies, individuals over the age of eighteen are allowed.
Furthermore, to carry out activities aimed at preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergencies, it is necessary to have the permission of individuals over the age of eighteen.
Thus, volunteerism can be carried out based on a voluntary agreement between the volunteer and the volunteer activity organizer, in accordance with the law.
In case the number of hours spent on volunteer activities exceeds 20 hours per month, the volunteer activity organizer must conclude a volunteer agreement with the volunteer.
The volunteer agreement is drawn up in two copies, one of which is kept by the volunteer activity organizer, and the other by the volunteer.
Government agencies may organize various festivals to promote volunteer activities in collaboration with non-governmental organizations engaged in volunteer activities. This can help spread volunteer initiatives, evaluate their positive outcomes, and expand the circle of helpers and humanitarian volunteers in society.
