Through a mixed-methods approach, this project will explore the factors that shape youth volunteering, synthesise key learning from existing research, and provide exemplars of good practice and innovation in youth volunteering from Ireland and internationally. Outcomes will include a report and toolkit on how to develop volunteer programmes for young people. The research is being carried out in partnership with Cork Volunteer Centre.  

Aims and objectives

The Youth Volunteering project will:

• explore the barriers and enablers to youth volunteering, the factors that influence retention, the pathways into volunteering, and related issues;
• map the different programmes/initiatives for engaging young people in volunteering (nationally and internationally) and identify examples of good practice and innovation;
• review published toolkits/protocols/guidelines to promote youth volunteering, produced in Ireland and internationally;
• consult with volunteer centres (VCs), volunteer-involving organisations (VIOs) and young people in developing, drafting and testing the toolkit;
• synthesise the learning from each of the various stages to prepare a final report and toolkit for VCs and VIOs on how to develop volunteer programmes for young people.

Funder & Dates

This project is funded under the New Foundations 2022 Programme from December 2022 - December 2023.

Project Team

Professor Fred Powell (PI), Dr Eileen Hogan, Dr Shirley Martin (School of Applied Social Studies & ISS21), Dr Margaret Scanlon (ISS21) and Adam Lacey (Cork Volunteer Centre).

For further details contact m.scanlon@ucc.ie; s.martin@ucc.ie or e.hogan@ucc.ie