Volunteering and human interaction
In 2022, 35 % of the population in Luxembourg were involved in voluntary work, placing the Grand Duchy fourth in a European comparison. Voluntary work makes an important contribution to social cohesion and promotes values such as solidarity, civic-mindedness and respect. Furthermore, an increasing number of companies are encouraging their staff to get involved in corporate volunteering schemes to support charitable organisations. In Luxembourg, as elsewhere, these forms of engagement help to build more inclusive societies.
Interview with Anne Hoffmann, Director of the Agence du Bénévolat a.s.b.l., on volunteering as a bridge between people
The Agence du Bénévolat wants to highlight the human side of volunteering. What are the needs in Luxembourg and how can each of us play a part?
We live in a society where people are living longer and, due to a variety of circumstances, are also increasingly likely to experience loneliness. This development will pose major challenges for our society in the future. That's why we are particularly committed to the human side of volunteering: it enables us to shape social change in a spirit of solidarity and to explore new ways of tackling social isolation among older people.
The loss of social contacts, limited mobility, changes in living environment or living far away from family can lead to long-term loneliness in old age – with sometimes significant consequences for people's quality of life, health and well-being. A simple visit by a volunteer – someone who is willing to listen, share a conversation or offer a small gesture of kindness – can bring an older person great comfort and lift their spirits.
Against this backdrop, at the Agence du Bénévolat we develop and support accessible volunteering initiatives that create opportunities for people to connect and build relationships. We also provide guidance to interested residential and community care providers on how they can recruit volunteers through the benevolat.lu platform to provide this type of support and prepare them for their roles.
Can anyone get involved in voluntary service? Which qualities are particularly important in this context?
For this type of volunteering, the focus is on human interaction. The key is to understand the other person's needs and respond to them accordingly. That's why it helps to be open, empathetic and approachable, not to mention prepared to devote time to others on a regular basis (e.g. one or two hours per week). Patience, tolerance and reliability are also essential to building relationships on an equal footing.
Whether it's taking the time for a conversation, sharing a coffee or going for a walk, or simply offering your presence and a listening ear, these small gestures are often missing from everyday life, yet mean so much in making older people feel valued. This voluntary commitment can also provide valuable support to existing professional services and help to improve the quality of life of older people.
What message would you like to share with people who want to help others but are still reluctant to take that first step?
We provide guidance to people who are interested and help them to find a suitable role via the benevolat.lu platform. For example, anyone interested in volunteering in a care home won't be left to fend for themselves. In most cases, there will be a contact person on site who provides guidance and support, particularly at the beginning, and remains available to answer any questions that may arise later. Training sessions and exchanges with other volunteers can also be arranged as needed.
There's something incredibly rewarding and fulfilling about seeing how much older people who are lonely can blossom when you take a little time to visit them. At these moments, even the simplest gestures can mean a great deal to them, and a couple of hours can make a big difference. That alone makes it worth taking the first step. Anyone who is interested can contact our agency and we'll help to put them in touch with the relevant organisations.
In a nutshell:
A world without volunteering would be… a world without compassion and humanity.
The Agence du Bénévolat is unique because… it's the only agency dedicated to developing volunteering in Luxembourg.
I get involved... by visiting people in retirement homes with my dog.
Agence du Bénévolat - Promoting action, fostering solidarity
Since 2002, the Agence du Bénévolat has been committed to promoting and recognising volunteering in all its forms in Luxembourg. It represents and supports associations and volunteers, acts as an intermediary between volunteers, organisations and public sector entities, and encourages the development of new forms of volunteering that respond to changing societal needs.
Via its portal, benevolat.lu, the agency provides information about the wide range of associations and organisations in Luxembourg and runs a volunteering platform that matches people interested in volunteering with suitable opportunities. It also presents an award in recognition of outstanding voluntary work and grants the Bénévolat quality label, enabling associations to demonstrate the quality of their organisation and the way they support their volunteers.
Did you know?
The knowledge and skills obtained through informal volunteering activities can be recognised in an official capacity. Anyone who has taken part in a volunteer project or completed a training course offered by an association can receive a certificate issued by the organisation concerned. This document certifies the tasks carried out and the skills developed. What's more, volunteers can request an Accreditation of prior learning and experience (VAE) from the Luxembourg Ministry of National Education, Childhood and Youth. This certification, designed for those who have gained significant experience through volunteering, can help with finding work, professional advancement or a change in position.
Volunteering – young people in action
Voluntary service is a different type of commitment that allows young people under the age of 30 to participate in a supervised general-interest project for a maximum period of 12 months in Luxembourg or abroad. Voluntary service is an ideal opportunity to combine a commitment to a good cause with a positive experience, thus enabling participants to acquire skills that are useful in the professional world, such as self-awareness, autonomy, responsibility and teamwork. It’s also a highly rewarding human experience.
In Luxembourg, the National Youth Service (SNJ) is the main point of contact for voluntary service. The website volontaires.lu provides information on the requirements for becoming a volunteer, the organisations offering community volunteering opportunities and the training required. There are three types of voluntary service: the National Volunteer Service Programme, the European Solidarity Corps and the Cooperation Volunteer Service. The website is also intended for organisations that wish to host volunteers in Luxembourg and abroad. Any public or private organisation established in Luxembourg may apply for accreditation to become a voluntary service organisation.
Useful information
Young people aged under 30 can obtain a Certificate of participation issued by the National Youth Service (Service national de la jeunesse). This document describes the tasks carried out while volunteering and the skills acquired. It can be used to provide additional information when applying for a job or as part of an application for the VAE accreditation.
When businesses commit to making the world a better place
Corporate volunteering is a concept that enables companies to encourage their employees to volunteer with voluntary organisations. The concept builds a bridge between the business world and the voluntary sector, creating added value for both sides. Whilst voluntary organisations benefit from specific skills, human support and increased visibility, companies strengthen their internal cohesion, boost staff motivation and consolidate their local presence. For example, a bank might mobilise its staff to help a voluntary organisation manage its finances, or a firm might provide advisers on legal matters or to teach presentation skills; an industrial company might make its teams available to renovate premises, or a business might handle the logistics for a charity event. The success of such projects depends on careful preparation: the needs of the organisations must be identified, the expectations of the companies clarified, and the assignments organised in a concrete and realistic manner. In Luxembourg, the Agence du Bénévolat plays a central mediating role by supporting both parties to build balanced and sustainable partnerships.