The study of the regional specifics of the implementation of volunteer activities is relevant for several reasons. Firstly, the analysis carried out in the article made it possible to identify and consider the qualitative characteristics of the volunteer movement in the Belgorod region, reflecting its motivational profile, the nature of engagement, and the degree to which the population's expectations of volunteerism are realized. Secondly, the study showed some trends, which are important for infrastructural entities to take into account and understand in order to expand volunteer practices in the territory. The analysis is based on the results of a mass survey of 700 volunteer activists from 22 municipalities of the Belgorod Region over the age of 14, as well as 121 organizers of volunteer activities in the region. The empirical data obtained demonstrate the predominantly pragmatic nature of the initial motivation of volunteers, whose activities are highly sporadic, but as they gain experience, this allows them to strengthen the moral and altruistic foundations of their activities and justify their expectations. The region is dominated by formal volunteerism, primarily through the public sector (youth policy and educational institutions). This makes it important to establish a social partnership with civil non-profit organisations, whose self-organisational potential is currently underutilised.
The study of the regional specifics of the implementation of volunteer activities is relevant for several reasons. Firstly, the analysis carried out in the article made it possible to identify and consider the qualitative characteristics of the volunteer movement in the Belgorod region, reflecting its motivational profile, the nature of engagement, and the degree to which the population's expectations of volunteerism are realized. Secondly, the study showed some trends, which are important for infrastructural entities to take into account and understand in order to expand volunteer practices in the territory. The analysis is based on the results of a mass survey of 700 volunteer activists from 22 municipalities of the Belgorod Region over the age of 14, as well as 121 organizers of volunteer activities in the region. The empirical data obtained demonstrate the predominantly pragmatic nature of the initial motivation of volunteers, whose activities are highly sporadic, but as they gain experience, this allows them to strengthen the moral and altruistic foundations of their activities and justify their expectations. The region is dominated by formal volunteerism, primarily through the public sector (youth policy and educational institutions). This makes it important to establish a social partnership with civil non-profit organisations, whose self-organisational potential is currently underutilised.
The reported study was funded by RFBR and EISR according to the research project № 21-011-31697 “Risks of volunteering: reflexive scenarios of regional community”.