The Empathy Engaged project focused on Canadian youth between the ages of 18 and 25. It
explored how to create meaningful opportunities for formal youth volunteering, promote a sense of
belonging, and build a national strategy for youth volunteerism that is inclusive, equitable, and
impactful. The national strategy would support the central role that volunteering plays in upholding
Canada’s social safety net.

A total of five youth roundtables were hosted, one each in Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and
Labrador, and Manitoba. A central question was asked: ‘How do youth perceive formal volunteering in
a post-pandemic world?’. Goals were to: amplify youth voices; identify gaps and opportunities; and
lay the foundation for a national youth volunteer action plan and commitment challenge.
Youth roundtable participants shared:

Motivations for volunteering (in order of frequency):

  • Making a difference
  • Social reasons
  • Personal growth
  • Other motivations included: instrumental reasons (e.g., skill development, gaining experience, career/employment exploration), external reasons (e.g., encouragement from friends/family, school requirements), and tangible rewards (e.g., snacks, t-shirts)
  • Benefits perceived or experienced from volunteering (in order of frequency):
  • Social Connection
  • Personal Growth
  • Instrumental benefits (e.g., skill development, employment, career exploration, financial
    stability); and improved well-being (e.g., improved mental/physical health, positive attitude, happiness, joy).

Next Steps for Volunteer Canada to foster youth engagement in volunteering, and to develop a national youth volunteer action plan include:

Capacity Building and Support – develop tailored training programs and resources
Shared Findings – widely share project findings
Implementation and Evaluation – work closely with partners to implement and assess effectiveness of recommendations

Published by: Volunteer Canada, in collaboration with the Rideau Hall Foundation
Publication Date: December, 2024

Click here to access Youth Volunteering in a Changing Landscape: Insights from the Empathy Engaged Project