Volunteering Modalities in a post-pandemic world

• In Event: Volunteering for Development: current thinking in addressing inequalities in practice and research

Abstract

Authors:
Cliff Allum (TSRC, University of Birmingham, UK)
Helene Perold (Independent Researcher)
Abstract
The volunteering sector worldwide was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in countless ways. Among international volunteer cooperation organisations (IVCOs) in particular, the pandemic produced something of an existential crisis because it threatened their core mission: sending and receiving volunteers to and from countries across the globe. This was not only a function of the inability to travel. It soon became evident (Perold et al, 2021) that local/community volunteers were able to sustain and adapt projects when international volunteers could not.
Although sending and receiving organisations were all adversely affected, with some unable to survive, the research (ibid) shows that in many cases organisations were able to ‘pivot’ their operations. By adapting their systems, programmes and activities in the context of lockdowns and widespread ill-health, national volunteer-involving project partners were able to function in support of citizens’ wellbeing, rendering invaluable support to governments and other stakeholders through their civic engagement.
To what extent do these adaptations represent a sea-change in international voluntary cooperation in development? Or will these adaptations be short-lived, marking a return to business as usual?
The authors draw on their own primary research both during and after the pandemic to trace the patterns of adaptation and the emergence of new thinking and approaches amongst key stakeholders. This includes drawing on surveys, interviews and participant engagement with leaders of VIOs and IVCOs during the pandemic and afterward. In particular the authors draw on emerging research on volunteer modalities in the post-pandemic era.
The outcome indicates not just changes in volunteer modalities, but in the terms of engagement between local and international organisations involved with volunteering. This derives from both the significant role played by community volunteers during the pandemic which challenged the preconceived notions of the rationale for North-South volunteering as well as its role in sustainable development. The outcome is a willingness on the part of governmental and non-governmental organizations to explore new approaches and volunteer modalities, rather than return to pre-pandemic modes of operation. The paper identifies approaches to volunteer modalities that present as deep-seated changes while presenting challenging dilemmas. These in part relate to the significance of Global South participation in the knowledge space in developing new modalities and the extent to which voices from the Global South will be heard and listened to in this process.

Bibliography
Baillie Smith, M., Jenkins, K., Adong, C., Anguan, G., Baniya, J., Baskota, P., Boudewijn, I., Fadel,B., Gibby, P., Kamanyi, E., Mademba, S., Okech, M., and Sharma, R. (2022). Volunteering Together: Blending Knowledge and Skills for Development. Northumbria University/VSO.
Ockendon, N.,2022. A New Dawn. Strategic Pathways for the Future of Volunteering in Development. International Forum for Volunteering in Development.

Perold, H, Mati, JM, Allum, C, & Lough, BJ (2021). COVID-19 and the Future of Volunteering for Development. Part 1: Research Report. Findings from a study conducted for the International Forum for Volunteering in Development. International Forum for Volunteering in Development. Available at
https://forum-ids.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Forum-Research-Report-COVID-19-and-the-Future-of-Volunteering-for-Development.pdf

Authors

• Cliff Allum, TSRC University of Birmingham

• Helene Perold, Independent social researcher