The Role of Youth Volunteerism in the Development of Consortium of Youth Development Organizations in Ethiopia (COYDOE), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Volunteerism refers to helping groups, individuals and communities without financial gain. However, the roles of youth volunteerism, the drive behind for youth Volunteers’ motivation in the practice of Volunteerism and challenges that youth volunteers faced in volunteerism practice in the Ethiopia context in general and at the Consortium (COYDOE) in particular are not properly studied and there is a gap of information on how voluntarism is contributing towards youth development in Ethiopia. In the context of Consortium of Youth Development Organizations in Ethiopia, the contributions of young volunteers are highly acknowledged and appreciated but their specific roles, challenges during their free service engagement and outcomes of their involvement were not properly documented, analysed and/or not yet officially published. Thus, this cross sectional research is aimed at exploring the roles and significant contribution of Volunteers in community development, their motivational factors and challenges that youth volunteers faced in volunteerism practice at Consortium of Youth Development Organizations in Ethiopia and its member organizations. The study used qualitative and quantitative method with case study design. Data were gathered through questionnaire, document review and interview with Volunteers and staff members of the organizations. The study participants of this research were 62 young Volunteers and 6 key informants from staffs and management. Findings of this study revealed that, Volunteers have significant roles in community development and they are playing pivotal roles to achieve organizational goals. They have big roles in terms of filling the resource gap by contributing through their knowledge and skill, finance and idea. The findings also indicate that motivational factors to engage in community development activities are a desire to help the organization and communities to enhance their capacities and potentials; and to ensue common wellbeing. This study forwarded implications for policy advocacy and for other researcher to further study or area of other investigation.