INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SOCIAL SERVICE FOR YOUTH: FROM VOLUNTEERING TO PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to carry out a detailed scientific and practical analysis of innovative approaches to social service for young people, in particular through volunteer initiatives and to assess the impact on professional support of young people. Research methodology. The research used general scientific (generalization, comparison, induction and deduction) and system-structural analysis, the case method, the method of expert evaluations, which made it possible to create a general picture of existing approaches and trends in the field of volunteerism and social innovation, as well as to identify specific examples of successful volunteer initiatives and programs to identify best practices. Novelty. The scientific novelty of the results obtained in the paper is due to the solution of an important scientific task, which consists in developing theoretical provisions and practical recommendations for the implementation of innovative approaches to social services for young people through the integration of volunteering and professional support. Conclusions. It has been established that digital volunteering, micro-volunteering, corporate volunteering programs, skills-based volunteering, intergenerational volunteering and innovative platforms create new opportunities for engaging and implementing volunteer activities. It was found that the introduction of the latest technologies, the use of professional competencies of volunteers, as well as the creation of flexible models of participation allow to significantly increase the effectiveness of volunteering. It has been established that the newest forms of volunteer activity use digital platforms and social media to organize social actions, attract young people from different regions and form new formats of cooperation. On the basis of the conducted research, it was established that in the conditions of martial law, volunteering becomes especially relevant, performing an important function in supporting military personnel, internally displaced persons and victims of hostilities. The results of the study confirm that innovative approaches to social service for young people, combining volunteering and professional support, contribute to a significant improvement in the quality of life of young people, opening up prospects for personal growth and social integration.