Synthesis

The 2018 report is a United Nations flagship publication and presents new evidence on the role of volunteerism in resilient communities.  It draws on original research from 15 countries to look at the distinctive value of volunteerism in relation to other types of resilience interventions. It shows how communities value volunteerism as a means to support collective strategies for dealing with diverse economic, social and environmental challenges.

The report also notes that unless appropriately supported by wider actors, volunteering can be exclusive and burdensome for some groups, and it may struggle to adapt to emerging and future risks.  Finally, it explores how governments and development actors can best engage with volunteerism to nurture its greatest benefits, while mitigating potential harm to the most vulnerable. It makes an important contribution to evidence on inclusive, citizen-led approaches to resilience-building.