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DONORS AND FUNDING VOLUNTEERISM
Participants indicated the lack of time and resources as key issues. The emergence of a
large number of civil society organizations coupled with a lack of available funding has led to
organizations not being able to provide incentives for youth to volunteer. Youth are, thus, hesitant
to volunteer as volunteer initiatives are often unable to offer the social safety nets which paid
employment provides. This results in a downward spiral of non-engaged youth and underresourced
organizations unable to cater to each other’s needs.
Increasing access to volunteerism opportunities was therefore prioritized by workshop
participants. Given high youth unemployment rates, the benefits that volunteerism brings
to employability and skills development is a strong incentive for young people to engage in
voluntary activities. The following objectives aim at addressing funding problems related to
volunteerism in Tunisia:
PROPOSED ACTIONS
Below is a list of proposed actions suggested by workshop participants. Activities are reflected
as they were suggested during the discussions. They were not rephrased or changed, in order to
maintain the meaning and context of discussions.
AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
Objectives
Promote better
networking and
communication among
CSOs
Activities
Create a network of CSOs to advocate for an enabling
environment for volunteering.
Establish social networks and publicity on volunteerism.
Securing financial independence. Volunteering is freely given, but it is not cost-free. In order
to ensure that initiatives and actions to enhance volunteering remain sustainable, participants
felt that youth who choose to volunteer should be eligible for a stipend or indemnity for the time
and effort given or at the very least be provided compensation for transport and a per diem, as
well as benefits in the form of cost reduction for volunteers for cultural activities. Sponsorship and
collaboration with the private sector was mentioned as one of the key activities to be undertaken.
Improving financial structures: Participants indicated that there is a distinct need to increase
the reputation of Tunisian civil society. They felt that there was a need to increase accountability
and transparency in the sector. Through advocacy work and collaboration with all stakeholders,
participants felt that encouraging CSOs to publish their accounts would greatly increase the trust
and thus engagement with civil society initiatives.
Providing safety nets for volunteers. Participants indicated that the provision of insurance
and travel costs, as well as the incorporation of protection standards would greatly increase the
willingness and ability of young Tunisians to engage in voluntary activities. Furthermore, this
would provide safety nets for the large number of unemployed young Tunisians.
Ensure accessibility
and decentralisation of
information
Promote Volunteerism
within the public and
private sector
Organise sensitization campaigns, meetings, fairs and open
houses for volunteering organizations.
A system of information sharing is made available online and
through social networking sites.
Communicating on best practices, impact and benefits of
volunteering.
Advocate for access to reliable statistical data.
Create a reliable database on volunteerism initiatives.
Higher level of engagement from all sectors in volunteerism
NGOs will achieve better publicity through campaigns (radio
stations, success story, testimonials, documentaries, exchange
programmes between regional associations, reward and
recognition internships, conferences…)
Proposed Partners
Government
Youth
CSOs
Expert
Private sector
Volunteers
Ministries
Integrate a culture of
volunteering from an
early age
Raising awareness
within families about
volunteering
Engage schools through meetings, seminars and internships
abroad.
Reinforce school curricula with volunteering-themes.
Create volunteering clubs at schools and colleges.
Reaching out to religious leaders and asking them to advocate
on the importance and benefits of volunteering.
Introduce volunteering activities in religious places.
UNV Findings Report
Tunisia 44