Greece
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP, 2022)
33
Population (UNFPA, 2023)
10.3 milion
Total number of volunteers (ILO, 2015)
1,073
Direct volunteering (ILO, 2015)
1,320
Organization-based (ILO, 2015)
1,073

Volunteer statistics (ILO)*

Source: ILOSTATS. The data is collected by ILO from national statistical offices. As national statistics on volunteer work are produced using a variety of approaches and tools, direct and cross-country comparisons are not recommended. For more information, visit https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/volunteer-work/

2015

Total volunteering by type

Total volunteering by age group

Total volunteering by gender

Direct volunteering by gender

Organization-based volunteering by gender

Measurement work

Data source

  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
    • Time Use Survey
  • 2015
    • Social Survey
  • 2016
  • 2017
    • other
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024

Laws, Policies, Schemes on Volunteering

Does the country have a piece of legislation on volunteering?

Yes

Law 3390/2005 to promote volunteering

Year 2005
View source

Does the country have a national policy, scheme, plan or strategy specific to volunteering?

No data

Does the country have a sectoral and cross-sectoral policy, scheme, plan or strategy that mentions volunteering?

No

VNR Reporting

Voluntary National Review

View source

Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 98

More specifically, the project which is developed by the IME GSEVEE will: (i) promote policy development and implementation of innovative policy measures relating to bankruptcy and second chance; (ii) help companies in distress by setting up early warning mechanisms, providing advisory and volunteer mentoring to companies in distress. Among others, the results and learning points of the action will be used for inspiration to promote business culture.

Paragraph 2, page 101

Youth 4 Global Goals is an AIESEC initiative that aims to mobilize young people to contribute to achieving the SDGs. It educates them about the SDGs and provides practical opportunities for volunteering to unleash their potential to be active global citizens. In Greece, AIESEC aims to raise awareness of the SDGs through the Youth Speak initiative and by creating multicultural opportunities that directly contribute to the SDGs through the Global Volunteer programme.

Paragraph 3, page 99

There were 422 non-profit organisations active beyond the neighborhood level in 2015. In fact, since 2010 and the outbreak of the crisis, a drastic increase of citizen involvement in volunteering and social solidarity activities has been noted, along with an expansion of the social welfare role played by civil society organisations and a more competitive funding environment (crowdsourcing and other forms of fundraising to make up for the lack of resources).

No mention

Voluntary National Review 2022

View source

Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 31

Education for sustainable developmentis, of course, directly related to the environmental Goals
(SDGs 14 & 15), which are pursued by the same and dozens of other civil society organizations.
Organization Earth is active in environmental education, urban greening and community engagement,
and it runs the “Center of the Earth” project, a vegetable and permaculture garden situated 6km from
the centre of Athens that serves as an environmental education hub for experiential community activities. “Center of the Earth” community activities include building green skills for students, adults, the elderly and vulnerable groups, organizing open Sundays, collective cooking, CSR corporate events, volunteerism, and thematic tours. 

HELMEPA, over the past 40 years, has inspired more than 450,000 schoolchildren and youth and 8,500 teachers on marine environment protection and stewardship, climate change and sustainable development through educational programs, knowledge enrichment and leadership cultivation initiatives. Since 1993, environmental education activities have focused on “HELMEPA Junior”, a flagship initiative engaging every year 8,000 kids aged 5-13, approved by the Ministry of Education and awarded by UNEP and the European Parliament, among others. Additionally, HELMEPA has supported 46 young scientists with scholarships for postgraduate studies in European universities in maritime and environmental sciences. Acting as national coordinator of international voluntary campaigns, HELMEPA has organized/ coordinated more than 4,000 clean-ups of beaches, seabed, lakes, forests and other coastal or land areas, in which more than 250,000 volunteers have taken part, removing 820 tons of waste, covering a total length of 1,900 km of shoreline. As a partner of the “Blue Generation” EEA and Norway Grants.

Paragraph 2, page 83

This protection is afforded not only to employees, but to every person that provides services at the
workplace, including independent contractors, interns and volunteers, regardless of the contractual relationship with the employer.

Paragraph 3, page 164

In 2020, the National Crisis and Hazards Management Mechanism was established by law, with
the aim to restructure the General Secretariat for Civil Protection (a.k.a. Civil Protection Greece),
upgrade the civil protection volunteering system and reorganize the Fire Service. New structures
were created, including the Hazard Mitigation Fund, the Centre for Crisis Management Studies, and
the Civil Protection Science Board.

Paragraph 4, page 165

Moreover, tax incentives provided to civil society organizations along with the protection of volunteers rights lay down the necessary conditions for the enrichment of democratic consultation and decision-making process.

Paragraph 5, page 309

With regards to environmental awareness of the wider society, since 1983 our legendary Seagull has raised generations of children and thousands of volunteers with the moto “No garbage, no plastics in the sea and on beaches”, who also act as “ambassadors” within their local regions or professional communities. Acting as national coordinator of international voluntary campaigns, HELMEPA has
organized/coordinated more than 4,000 cleanups of beaches, seabed, lakes, forests and other coastal or land areas, in which more than 250,000 volunteers have taken part, removing 820 tons of waste, covering a total length of 1,900 km of shoreline.

Paragraph 6, page 333

Volunteering: Private companies, schools and individuals are invited to a number of activities that include: collecting food products at local supermarkets to distribute to our partnering members, collecting and giving Christmas & Easter goodies to the beneficiary children, and visiting our partnering foundations for volunteer activities.

Paragraph 7, page 348

“Center of the Earth”, one of Organization Earth’s core projects, is a vegetable and permaculture garden situated 6km from the center of Athens that serves as an environmental education hub for experiential community activities. “Center of the Earth” community activities include building green
skills for students, adults, the elderly and vulnerable groups, organizing open Sundays, collective cooking, CSR corporate events and volunteerism and thematic tours.

Paragraph 8, page 355

Boroume at School: this is by far the most comprehensive and large educational program
regarding food waste / volunteering in Greece (over 24.000 students have participated in 6
years).

Paragraph 9, page 362

The Erasmus Student Network Greece/ESN Greece is a non-profit volunteering student association and one of the 40 member countries of ESN.

Paragraph 1, page 31

HELMEPA, over the past 40 years, has inspired more than 450,000 schoolchildren and youth and 8,500 teachers on marine environment protection and stewardship, climate change and sustainable development through educational programs, knowledge enrichment and leadership cultivation initiatives. […] Since 1993, environmental education activities have focused on “HELMEPA Junior”, a flagship initiative engaging every year 8,000 kids aged 5-13, approved by the Ministry of Education and awarded by UNEP and the European Parliament, among others. Additionally, HELMEPA has supported 46 young scientists with scholarships for postgraduate studies in European universities in maritime and environmental sciences. Acting as national coordinator of international voluntary campaigns, HELMEPA has organized/ coordinated more than 4,000 clean-ups of beaches, seabed, lakes, forests and other coastal or land areas, in which more than 250,000 volunteers have taken part, removing 820 tons of waste, covering a total length of 1,900 km of shoreline. As a partner of the “Blue Generation” EEA and Norway Grants.

Paragraph 2, page 164

In 2020, the National Crisis and Hazards Management Mechanism was established by law, with the aim to restructure the General Secretariat for Civil Protection (a.k.a. Civil Protection Greece), upgrade the civil protection volunteering system and reorganize the Fire Service. New structures were created, including the Hazard Mitigation Fund, the Centre for Crisis Management Studies, and the Civil Protection Science Board.

Paragraph 3, page 309

With regards to environmental awareness of the wider society, since 1983 our legendary Seagull has raised generations of children and thousands of volunteers with the moto “No garbage, no plastics in the sea and on beaches”, who also act as “ambassadors” within their local regions or professional communities. Acting as national coordinator of international voluntary campaigns, HELMEPA has organized/coordinated more than 4,000 cleanups of beaches, seabed, lakes, forests and other coastal or land areas, in which more than 250,000 volunteers have taken part, removing 820 tons of waste, covering a total length of 1,900 km of shoreline.

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