What is volunteering and civic engagement?

Volunteering is unpaid, voluntary work carried out to contribute to society. It is a central part of civil society and an important force in Swedish democracy.

Volunteering and civic engagement are built on people’s willingness to contribute, influence, and create community. They can involve anything from social support and popular education to culture, sport, and interest-based associations.

Civil society and the non-profit sector make this engagement possible, while also serving as a voice in society, where people’s experiences and commitment are channelled into change.

What is civil society and the non-profit sector?

Engagement often takes shape within civil society and the non-profit sector: the part of society that is separate from both the public and private sectors, and that is driven by ideas, values, and social benefit rather than profit. This includes associations, foundations, faith communities, cooperatives, and non-profit organisations. The sector is characterised by independence, member-based or values-based governance, and enables volunteering and civic engagement as fundamental parts of our society and our democracy.

Volunteering and civic engagement are closely connected to civil society and the non-profit sector. Civil society organisations create structures where people can get involved as volunteers, members, or elected representatives.

How volunteering and civic engagement have shaped Sweden

Historically, volunteering and civic engagement have played a decisive role in building modern Sweden. They have shaped democracy, supported welfare, and created community and trust between people. Over the years, voluntary initiative and people’s voices, channelled through civil society associations and organisations, have contributed to some of our greatest social reforms. For example, non-profit organisations were the ones that started many of today’s key social functions, such as home care services, child health centres, and libraries.

New challenges for engagement

Today, we are seeing social developments that, in different ways, challenge both volunteering and civic engagement, as well as civil society and the non-profit sector. Globally, democracy has declined over recent decades. Authoritarian forces have gained ground through polarising messages, while economic inequality, disinformation, and restrictions on freedom of association and freedom of expression are putting pressure on civil society in many countries.

Sweden has a strong democracy, but it too is affected by global developments. In recent years, parts of civil society have faced stricter requirements, reduced funding, and increased suspicion. At the same time, socioeconomic divides, information bubbles, and geographical differences mean that the conditions for volunteering and civic engagement vary from person to person.

Strong and broad-based engagement

Despite these challenges, engagement in Sweden remains strong. Around half of the population volunteers or gets involved in an association or organisation each year — a level that has remained stable over a long period. Engagement is broadly rooted in the population, although some groups participate to a greater extent than others. 

The importance of volunteering and civic engagement for democracy, welfare, and public health is also gaining more space in both public and political debate. 

Why volunteering and civic engagement are needed

The climate threat, the growing need for civil preparedness, involuntary loneliness, and increasing polarisation are examples of social challenges that require strong communities and a vibrant civil society.

That is why knowledge about volunteering and civic engagement needs to increase. More people need to see their importance, feel welcome to take part, and have the opportunity to contribute based on their own circumstances.

Volunteering and civic engagement are forces that strengthen people, organisations, and society. Ideella Sverige wants to help contribute to this. We want to reach as large a share of the population as possible, with a particular focus on new target groups. Our work is also aimed at organisations that need more volunteers. We remove practical barriers, spread knowledge about the value of volunteering and civic engagement, and raise awareness of our matching services among new organisations.

Volontärbyrån – part of Ideella Sverige

Volontärbyrån helps engaged people and non-profit organisations find each other. Volontärbyrån matches people with volunteering opportunities and offers training and support to associations on issues related to volunteering and engagement.