Understanding the potential of micro-volunteering

Funding by the Cabinet Office, the Institute for Volunteer Research has carried out research into the potential of micro-volunteering, which is defined as s bite-size volunteering with no commitment to repeat and with minimum formality, involving short and specific actions that are quick to start and complete.

The researchers spoke to a wide range of people such as policy-makers, infrastructure bodies, researchers, volunteers, non-volunteers, and volunteer-involving organisations about micro-volunteering.

Entitled The value of giving a little time - Understanding the potential of micro-volunteering, the report:

• Gives examples of micro-volunteering, which show the diversity of opportunities currently available;
• Defines micro-volunteering to provide a starting point for organisations to think about how it could work for them;
• Explains the relationship between micro-volunteering and other forms of volunteering to demonstrate that while there are differences, they are not always clear-cut;
• Describes the role of technology in micro-volunteering to argue that micro-volunteering can be done offline but also that technological developments are leading to changes in the way people participate;
• Describes the supply and demand of micro-volunteering, including who is offering it, who is participating and why;
• Busts some common myths about micro-volunteering to show that when it’s done well, it can be a valuable way for people to give their time and skills; and
• Examines the challenges of micro-volunteering and explain that it is not suitable for every organisation and activity.

To download the report visit www.ivr.org.uk/images/stories/micro_volunteering_full_report_071113.pdf.