THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SOCIAL CAPITAL

Abstract

Volunteering plays a key role in the formation and development of social capital of a community, uniting people around the achievement of public good. Social capital, which consists of a system of social ties, norms of interaction and trust, is a necessary resource for the cohesion and sustainable development of civil society. Volunteering contributes to the formation of horizontal ties between equal participants in initiatives and "bridging" ties that unite different social groups. This ensures effective communication, cooperation and trust between community members, and also opens up opportunities for new forms of cooperation, in particular with international partners. In the process of volunteering, social ties arise that influence the strengthening of cohesion both within local communities and between communities, contributing to the creation of sustainable social networks. The impact of volunteering is especially pronounced in crisis situations. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer organizations have become critically important in providing the population with medical and humanitarian assistance, establishing information support and coordinating actions between different population groups. A similar example can be observed during the military conflict in Eastern Ukraine, when volunteer initiatives actively assisted the military, displaced persons and communities, mobilizing significant resources and uniting citizens to solve social challenges. Digitalization opens up new opportunities for volunteering. Thanks to online platforms and social networks, volunteers can more effectively coordinate their actions, attract new participants and organize large-scale projects. However, the impact of digital technologies on social capital remains insufficiently studied, in particular in terms of trust between participants, who mainly interact online. Volunteering is a multidimensional phenomenon, and its impact on social capital depends on numerous factors, such as the age, gender and cultural characteristics of the participants. Young people often engage in volunteering initiatives with career or educational goals, while the older generation sees volunteering as a way to support social activism. Gender aspects also influence the specifics of volunteering: women are more likely to participate in humanitarian initiatives, while men are involved in technical or logistical projects.