Research by Volunteer Ireland

Report on the Volunteering Question in Ireland's 2022 Census
The 2022 Census in Ireland sought to understand the prevalence and patterns of voluntary activity across the 26 counties of Ireland. This report aims to shed light on the rich tapestry of volunteering across the country by examining data collected in the census.
Read the report
two people with long painting rollers paint the entrance hall to a building
Inclusion in Volunteer Programmes
Developed with a research team from Dublin City University and Queen's University Belfast, this report provides insight into the experiences of organisations' inclusivity in their volunteer programmes. It includes interviews with VIOs on how best practice can be implemented.
Read the report
Volunteering during COVID-19: Lessons for the Future
Research conducted by DCU on behalf of Volunteer Ireland demonstrates the value of volunteers in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the report
Impact of COVID-19 on Volunteer Participation in Ireland
According to Ipsos MRBI statistics commissioned by Volunteer Ireland, three-quarters of the population volunteered their time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March this year.
Read the report
Effects of the pandemic on employee community engagement
Volunteer Ireland, in collaboration with Volunteer Canada, undertook a study with 50 Canadian and Irish companies to create a snapshot of the effects of the pandemic on employee community engagement.
Read the report
Rural Volunteerism: Impacting Development and Sustainability
This report documents the extent and impact of volunteerism in rural communities throughout Ireland by drawing on research carried out in NUI Galway and by Volunteer Ireland. The report highlights the essential role rural volunteers’ play in the sustainability and development of many rural regions.
Read the report
Migrant Participation in Sport Volunteering in Ireland
This report, developed in partnership with Sport Ireland, explores migrant participation in sport volunteering in Ireland. The report looks at the numbers, interests and demographics of migrants that volunteer in sport while exploring the barriers for those that don’t.
Read the report
Making It Matter: The Impact of Volunteering on Social Inclusion
The main objective of the Focus Research Report is to give an overview of existing EU and national policies and practices that support the inclusion of disadvantaged youth through volunteering.
Read the report
The Impact of Volunteering on the Health and Well-Being of the Volunteer
In 2017, Volunteer Ireland conducted research into the impact volunteering has on the health and well-being of volunteers. Combining focus groups with the results of a national survey of volunteers, the report concluded that volunteering has a positive impact on volunteers in a multitude of ways.
Read the report

Research by Volunteer Centres

a tree growing in a rocky terrain
Building Resilience: Capturing a Community Response
A report to capture the learnings from
communities where large numbers of people from Ukraine had been re-settled. Clare VC Board member Dr
Helen McQuillan initiated the lead on the project to document and evaluate the impact and outcomes
of structured volunteer management and community engagement.
Report by Clare VC
A Comparative study on the needs and challenges of volunteering in urban and rural communities
The research set out to explore
further the findings of 31 focus groups conducted in January and February 2019 to inform their input
into the National Volunteering Strategy’s Call for Input process. The research specifically set out to explore volunteer recruitment and retention and the role of
Volunteer Centres in supporting volunteering and volunteer involving organisations (VIOs).
Report by Munster VCs

Research by other organisations

Inclusive Volunteering: Exploring Migrant Participation in Volunteerism
This small-scale study explored migrants’experiences of volunteering in Cork city and county, including their motivations and pathways
into volunteering, the benefits and challenges of volunteering, and the factors which facilitate
or inhibit volunteering.
Read the report
Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index 2022
The latest insights into the global giving landscape. CAF has been producing its World Giving Index for more than a decade. Read the report to find out how global giving changed as we began to come out of the pandemic.
Read the report
State of the World's Volunteerism Report 2022
The fourth State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR) report, titled Building Equal and Inclusive Societies, shows that the ways in which volunteers and state authorities interact, collaborate and partner are vital for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Read the report