VOLUNTEERING INFRASTRUCTURE

7. Regular and systematicresearchIn the period 2003 – 2011, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there has not been much researchfocused on volunteering and its impact on individuals and society. Even if done systematicallythe research is not enough, as it is not carried out on a regular basis. It is questionable howto keep research on volunteering relevant in Bosnia and Herzegovina, given the difficulty insecuring the funds for its implementation.The research done in this period and which include Bosnia and Herzegovina are following:It‘s questionablehow to keepresearch onvolunteeringrelevant inBosnia andHerzegovina,given the difficultyin securingthe funds for itsimplementation.Voluntarism and public institution (2004): Research implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina,Croatia and Montenegro in cooperation with public institutions from these countries aimingto investigate present development of volunteering and volunteer engagement in theseinstitutions. The research was made in the framework of the South East European YouthNetwork (SEEYN) and implemented by its members, the Youth Communication Centre inBosnia and Herzegovina, Volunteer Centre Zagreb in Croatia and Asocijacija za demokratskiprosperitet – Zid (ADP – Zid) in MontenegroSEE Volunteers in SEE (2005): Research implemented at level of the South East Europe(SEE) region that looked at the legal framework for volunteering in SEE countries and dida comparative analysis with existing legislatives in other European countries. The researchalso investigated the development of volunteering by interviewing volunteers and volunteerinvolving organisations in SEE region. The research was made in framework of a regional projectincluding seven countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia,Romania, Serbia and Montenegro.Pro-social values/behaviour and employability amongst young people in SEE and the impact ofvolunteer work camps (2007): the aim of this research, published by SEEYN, was to increase theknowledge base of the non-profit sector in the field of voluntary service in SEE, based on atheoretical background and using practical examples.Pro social dimension of volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2011): this research investigatedthe presence of volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, its impact on the development of socialcompetences, pro-social personal characteristics and critical judgment among interviewees ofdifferent ages (volunteers and non volunteers). The research also investigated the present levelof social distance towards marginalised groups among volunteers and non-volunteers. This ismost recent study and provides more concrete findings than the previous ones.Any research on volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina is implemented by local andinternational civil society organisations. Governmental and public institutions do not haveestablished operational research methodologies focused on volunteering and its impact tosociety, which is something that should change as soon as possible. This is especially related toRepublic Srpska entity where volunteering legislative is adopted and where there is the need toestablish research on volunteering aiming to monitor and evaluate the implementation of lawand the development of volunteering in general.60 Volunteering infrastructure in Europe 4 Bosnia-Herzegovina