France Bénévolat response to the questions in connection with IYV+10 preparations

Questions in connection with the preparation of the report of the UN Secretary General to the UN General Assembly on IYV 2001 Follow-up

1.     Volunteering trends 
(i) Could you please describe any changes you have observed in volunteering since 2001 in your country/organization,especially in the past 3 to 4 years, and possible trends you see emerging

(ii) How do you see these changes being addressed in your country? If you are able to provide any examples please do so.

(iii) Are there any factors that you consider may speed up or hinder the development of volunteering in your country/organization? 

(iv) Is there, in your opinion, anything your Government and  the United Nations is doing/could do to support volunteering in your country.

2.     IYV+10 
You are invited to suggest any ideas for marking the 10th anniversary of IYV in 2011 from the perspective of your Government, civil society, or other stakeholders, that will result in an enhanced environment for volunteering by all sectors of society

Réponse au questionnaire de Robert Leigh sur le bénévolat en France

1. Volunteering trends

(i) Could you please describe any changes  ….
The overall number of associations (volunteer organizations) in France is at present estimated to be around 1.1 to 1.3 million.  The last official survey published by INSEE (the National Statistics Office) in 2002 puts the number of volunteers in France to 12 million.  In the meantime, different surveys and studies conducted by researchers estimate that the number of volunteers has reached the 14 million mark in 2007.  Two out of three French citizens are active in a volunteer organisation. 

Different factors have contributed to such strong increase both in the number of associations and of the volume of voluntary work accomplished through them.   Unemployment, structural changes in the economy, the aging of the population had an impact on social cohesion and created new social needs.  Growing concern about the environment, about educational issues adds new tasks for volunteering.

Society at large also tends to accept better the fact that a part of these new “social” needs  should be fulfilled  in cooperation with volunteers rather then only by traditional stakeholders such as the State, local authorities etc..

(ii) How do you see these changes…

Awareness of the importance of volunteering has increased at all levels: 

• More and more businesses are willing to study the benefits of voluntary work and are prepared to support or facilitate volunteering in general terms and amongst their employees.  Corporate support for volunteering is a novelty in France, where such actions had no cultural tradition.  This trend is being strongly encouraged by France Benevolat who is building up a network of enterprises open to volunteering.
• Institutional support is also more readily forthcoming both from public authorities and other public entities such as Pension Funds, etc.  There is more willingness to finance volunteer organisation, research on volunteers and volunteering in different fields, such as social inclusion, integration, sustainable development, etc.
• Trade unions at an institutional level have a more positive attitude towards volunteering, while at grass-root level some reserves are still voiced.

(iii) Are there any factors…
Increasing social and environmental problems will generate a greater need for volunteers and volunteering organizations.  These needs will have to be matched by an adequate volunteer infrastructure (volunteer centres, training of volunteers, information campaigns amongst the public at large etc …)

The lack of these infrastructures will hinder the development of volunteering.

(iv) Is there, in your opinion...
The mere fact that the French government, ( certainly  inspired by the work done at UN level and by the UN resolutions concerning volunteering) has since 2004 given  yearly grants to FRANCE BENEVOLAT, the French National Volunteer Agency created that year is  a step in the right direction.  Since 2007, the French government has signed a triennial convention with France Benevolat ensuring some financial stability to our organization.  A special grant has also been accorded to France Bénévolat in 2008. 

Since support through Foundations and private donations are still not  that wide spread in France, steady support from governmental sources remains an essential element of supporting volunteering.

Another major contribution of the French Government for the support of volunteering would be to encourage regular surveys on the development of Volunteering.   The last official survey dates back to 2002, and although research has been going on at various universities, and institutes, there is no regular research from the National Statistics Office, INSEE. Having regular data would help to volunteer organisations and particularly to France Benevolat to adjust their strategy, and their methods.

2 . IYV+10
As members of CEV (European Volunteer Centre) we are working with others European Volunteer Agencies to declare, promote, and support the fact that  2011 should be declared  European Volunteer Year.  This would be a way of celebrating IYV + 10. We hope that French MEP (Member of European Parliament) will other European MEPs in the effort of signing the petition that is asking for a EVY year in 2011. 

The advantage for France Bénévolat and other volunteer organisations would be to give visibility to their work, and an impetus to new projects.