Employee volunteering and its role in local capacity building.

Volunteers are important resources to non profit organizations and communities. Research shows that the number of volunteers in Belgium is rather constant (approx. 1/5). Though in comparative perspective its is rather high, it is nevertheless also restricted. Many organisations have difficulties to find sufficient volunteers. On the other hand, so called 'third parties' (Haski-Leventhal, Meijs & Hustinx, 2009) develop strategies to support or stimulate volunteering by their employees. For employers and entrepreneurs, this fits in the current trend toward corporate social responsibility. In this research we aim to explore this phenomenon. How to conceptualize it? Who does it? In what form(s)? How do they strengthen the local capacity to answer societal needs? Best practices? Methodology: e-survey and telephone interviews among donating and recieving organizations.

Keywords:Volunteers, Non profit, Employee volunteering, Local capacity building, Corporate social responsibility