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Young Adults’ Perceptions of Volunteering in Non-Governmental Organizations

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Volunteering is a service carried out in line with the needs of society and individuals and is carried out to increase social welfare without financial gain. Volunteering activities under the umbrella of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) benefit society and the individual volunteer. Although the participation of young adults plays a vital role in the realization of volunteering activities within the NGOs, the volunteer participation of young adults in Türkiye remains lower compared to many other countries. In this context, the main objective of this study is to reveal the perceptions and motivations of young adults aged 18–35 regarding volunteering. A case study, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in this study. The study group was selected through maximum variation sampling. Twenty volunteers aged 18-35 who participated in volunteer activities at KalDer (the Turkish Quality Association) were included in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used in data analysis. As a result of the data analysis, nine themes were revealed, including the reasons for the participants to volunteer, sources of motivation, volunteer characteristics, training provided at KalDer, expectations from volunteer training, participation of young people in volunteering activities, factors that negatively affect the volunteering process, areas of volunteer activity needed in Türkiye, and the role of universities in promoting volunteer participation. As a result, overcoming the barriers that limit young adults’ participation in volunteering requires strengthening societal awareness of volunteerism and enhancing inter-institutional collaboration.
DOI: 10.14812/cuefd.1676567
Language: Turkish
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7159845442
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