Exploring the Benefits of Volunteering for Refugees in the Netherlands

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Evidence from the Netherlands presented at the 13th International Conference of ISTR highlights that while volunteering may not always meet volunteers' expectations or lead to paid work, refugees value it for its social and psychological benefits. Recommendations include managing expectations and designing volunteering opportunities to enhance integration. The study involved archival data, interviews with organizations and refugees, and analysis using odds ratios and thematic analysis.

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The Benefits of Volunteering for Refugees Evidence from the Netherlands 13th International Conference of ISTR C14, July 10, 2018, 4-5.30 pm | Amsterdam Ren Bekkers, Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, the Netherlands Linda Bakker, Significant Younes Younes, VU Peer Smets, VU Jan Reitsma, Significant PAGE 1

Take home points Results 1. Volunteering often does not meet expectations of volunteers 2. Volunteering does not give access to paid work 3. Refugees value volunteering for its social and psychological benefits Recommendations Matchmakers should better manage expectations of refugees about volunteering Volunteering opportunities can be designed to maximize effects on integration by organizing volunteer work in groups, and by providing opportunities to learn the Dutch language PAGE 2

What NPOs hoped & we thought would be the results Hoped 1. Give refugees a nice time, distraction from life in an Asylum Seeking Center (ASC) 2. Let refugees do work that is useful for NPOs 3. Give refugees relevant work experience Thought What refugees get out of volunteering depends on their expectations (VFI) Volunteering can build social connections and benefit mental health (ITSSOIN) Volunteering will not help refugees find jobs it does not work like that for native citizens or migrants either PAGE 3

The data we gathered and how we analyzed them Data 1. Archival data from the refugee accommodation organization (COA) 2. Interviews with host and intermediary nonprofit organizations 3. Interviews with 36 refugees in ASCs from Eritrea and 48 from Syria at 4 different locations, in their mother tongue Analysis Odds ratios comparing registered volunteer status with all refugees Thematic analysis of interview data PAGE 4

First things first Priorities in life My priority now is to get my family here. Then ... if everything is okay, maybe I'll do volunteer work. Or I will look for a job to buy a car and then work as a driver. Syrian refugee Priorities in volunteering I did not participate. I was not happy that the volunteer work was part of the ASC. The ASC was a former prison. I cannot get rid of the idea of being in a prison. We want something in society, near a Dutch neighbourhood which offers the possibility of making contact with Dutch people. Syrian refugee PAGE 5

Social and psychological benefits In Nijmegen my personal life has changed enormously due to volunteer work (...) I carefully thought about how I could get in touch with the Dutch. I could do volunteer work like helping at a festival, catering and a walking event of four days. When I arrived in the Netherlands, unfortunately I had no friend, house and money. I had nothing, only hope and we still have hope. Becoming acquainted started with volunteering. Syrian refugee I clean ( ) It helps me to get rid of my stress. I do not like cleaning. It is not my passion and it is not a job for a man. Eritrean refugee PAGE 6