BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES FOR YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LATVIA AND LITHUANIA

This study aims to investigate young people's attitudes towards volunteering, examining the reasons that discourage them from volunteering, and the benefits they perceive or receive from engaging in such activities. The problematic question: what are the key reasons, benefits, and challenges for young people to engage in volunteering? The study uses a quantitative research approach, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from respondents in Lithuania and Latvia. The survey focuses on young people aged 18-29, often considered a key group for promoting civic engagement and social responsibility. 250 respondents from Lithuania and 252 from Latvia participated in this survey. The analysis revealed that young people perceive various benefits of voluntary activities. The most prominent benefit is the professional advantage that youth gain through volunteering. Young people in our study are more likely to engage in volunteering if it offers financial rewards, professional skills development or visible impact. Professional benefits are a higher priority for Lithuanian young people than for Latvian young people. About half of the respondents had volunteered in the past. However, only a small proportion currently volunteer. The results show that young people in Lithuania and Latvia are less likely to volunteer. Youth volunteering is mostly limited to one-off initiatives rather than ongoing commitments. The main challenges to volunteering are lack of time, limited information and lack of financial incentives. These challenges are particularly pronounced among Lithuanian respondents. This study is a new contribution that provides a comparative cross-border analysis of young people's participation in volunteering. While existing studies focus on youth volunteering, this study provides important insights into young people's attitudes towards volunteering, revealing the barriers and incentives that influence their participation. The findings contribute to the academic discourse on civic engagement, social responsibility and youth development, while informing volunteering initiatives. By understanding the specific reasons why young people are reluctant to volunteer, stakeholders can develop more effective strategies to attract volunteers, address barriers to participation and strengthen incentives. To increase participation in volunteering, strategies such as paid volunteering opportunities, integration into academic curricula and targeted information campaigns should be explored. In addition, fostering a culture of civic participation through education and policy initiatives can encourage a long-term commitment to volunteering.