Volunteering in sports, social cohesion and local development

Volunteering in sports is a cornerstone for strengthening and supporting local development. In the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, an area with socio-economic challenges, but also significant opportunities due to the presence of the Democritus University of Thrace and the active participation of students, the utilization of human resources is crucial. This study investigates the factors that influence participation in sports volunteering, with an emphasis on citizens" motivations, attitudes and intentions. Data collection was carried out electronically via a Google form. Two psychometric tools with documented validity and reliability in the Greek population were used for the investigation: the VFI and the THS questionnaire. The findings of the research revealed that the strongest motivations for participation in sports volunteering are related to social contribution and personal development. The study concludes that there is a need to redefine the way in which volunteering support policies are designed and implemented.