4.3.2 A multi-level approach: from government and local authorities to civil society, groups of people and individuals

Volunteering is understood and perceived in many different ways. Views and ideas about volunteering can differ across various countries, amongst people of different ages and backgrounds, and within different organisations and authorities. Refugees may be unfamiliar with volunteering and lack the confidence or knowledge to access available volunteer opportunities. At the same time community organisations may have initial concerns about engaging refugees as volunteers. Yet, community organisations can act as intermediaries to support both refugees and local Higher Education institutions to ensure successful refugee engagement in a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
In general, there is much that can be done in order to engage refugees as volunteers and it requires a multi-level and flexible approach. Governments, as the main policy actors, can include volunteering in policies dealing with inclusion, encompassing both formal and non-formal types of volunteering. Local authorities, civil society organizations and individual stakeholders are all capable of proactive targeting of refugees, involving them in volunteerism. If this happens, more inclusive societies can emerge. For more information see also the 2019 report of the Migration Policy Institute.
Social inclusion happens at community level and local authorities have a key role in building inclusive and welcoming communities, where no one is left behind, as proclaimed in the Eurocities’ strategic framework 2020-2030. They should also contribute to the improvement of the public perception about asylum seekers and promote the collective responsibility to respect refugees’ basic human rights. Successful social inclusion policies therefore should work in two directions: ensuring that refugees are welcomed into the host society while also ensuring the host society’s services and policies are adapted to a diverse population, as pointed out in the Charter on Integrating Cities.
Community and civil society organisations can work towards the creation of links between municipalities, Higher Education institutions, local stakeholders and refugees, providing for direct dialogue and feedback. This is also a way and an occasion to introduce refugees to all existing opportunities for volunteering, that may have to do with learning, counselling, education and engagement. As refugees may lack a clear understanding of the functioning of structures and the possibilities that exist within the community, together with community workers (e.g. youth workers), they can learn to look for information and become more independent, informed, as well as engaged members of the community.