Performing various types of work unrelated to one's own profession was considered a prerogative of socialism. Sending students, soldiers, workers, and employees 'to plant potatoes', various community work days – all this was experienced by people of the older, and to a lesser extent, middle generation.
However, voluntary work for a cause is once again in demand – it seems, under our market reality!
Up to 2 Percent of GDP
This is approximately the contribution of voluntary labor to the national economy of the most developed countries in the world, united in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In Latvia, participation in volunteer work remains low – in 2022, only 6.2% of residents took part in formal activities (the average in the EU is 12.3%). In Estonia, this figure is 10.4%, while in the Netherlands it is 36%. But we are not the last in the European Union – Latvia surpasses, for example, a wealthy and developed country like Italy.
Data from various studies diverge, however, the general trend indicates a decrease in engagement in recent years. Among young people, activity is higher (in 2024, according to surveys – 18%), and the areas of support are often related to social assistance, education, the environment, and culture.
For instance – if the World Ice Hockey Championship or a NATO conference is taking place in Riga, students are involved as service staff, welcoming guests, and in return, they receive food and the opportunity to watch the events. In terms of ecology, of course, the whole village participates in the spring cleanup.
Your author has also had the opportunity to clean the green areas of the capital during community work days. I fondly remember Mezaparks, where the collective work ended with a picnic and a performance by a pop star. And how much garbage we pulled out of the nameless forest near the Plavnieki cemetery – it’s horrific how terribly people litter their own green spaces. We collected an enormous number of bottles and all sorts of incredible household junk, which had almost become part of the soil, into plastic bags. But, alas, the level of littering in Riga's forests is off the charts – we can’t carry it all. Moreover, no mechanization will help here, unfortunately – even the deep thickets are littered, where small transporters cannot pass.
What is Good
The Ministry of Welfare recently put forward theses on the necessity of volunteering: "In addition to economic impact, volunteer work significantly strengthens the social structure and well-being of society. It contributes to the development of competencies among young people and provides their first work experience, helps adults balance their daily load and acquire new skills, and offers seniors opportunities for active aging, reducing loneliness and promoting social integration. At the community level, volunteer work fosters mutual trust, solidarity, and closer cohesion of society, thereby strengthening the overall resilience of society."
Well, yes – who would argue, labor knows no age. However, it would also be nice to see high-ranking officials performing various heavy physical tasks. After all, working in the fresh spring air is also a kind of fitness. Imagine – if tens of thousands of officials dedicated at least half a working day each month to cleaning Latvia!
Ten Years of the System
The Law on Voluntary Labor came into effect on January 1, 2016, and defined the Ministry of Welfare and the State Employment Agency as the profile departments. There is also an Advisory Council on Voluntary Labor, aimed at uniting the efforts of 24 institutions and structures.
According to statistics, in 2024, voluntary work was organized by 3,133 non-governmental organizations, attracting more than 251,000 volunteers. It is clear that many people were counted multiple times – as the total number of employed in Latvia is less than a million. On the other hand, volunteer work does not necessarily have to be performed by someone formally belonging to the economically active population – it can also be a school student (the law allows participation from the age of 13, with parental or legal guardian permission) or a pensioner.
The activity of political parties has remained somewhat outside the purview of competent authorities, as they actively attract volunteers during election campaigns – the count likely reaches thousands of people across Latvia. Organizing various meetings, concerts, seminars, distributing souvenirs and all sorts of treats – all this is done, so to speak, on ideological fuel. For symbolic caps and t-shirts from political organizations, handshakes, and selfies with the leader. This can probably also be counted as a cultural and educational component and included in GDP!
"However, currently, centralized and structured information about the volunteer work of political parties is unavailable, as it is impossible to automatically obtain unified data on volunteer participation from the annual reports of the parties," the Ministry of Welfare document states.
Business on the Idea
According to the law, volunteers can even receive money – if they engage in the work of social enterprises – the only business structure allowed to utilize voluntary labor.
Compensations for meals should not exceed 6 euros per day, for accommodation – 57 euros per day, for fuel – up to 50 euros per month, and for training – up to 200 euros per year.
But for the common good, there is still no unified digital database in the country. The office of Minister Rainis Uzulnieks (Union of Greens and Farmers) states:
"Many do not know where to find information and how to apply, and stereotypes about volunteer work as 'unpaid help' reduce motivation. Its positive impact – well-being, skill development, participation, and community cohesion – has not yet been fully appreciated by society."
2026 has been declared the Year of Voluntary Labor worldwide. The Ministry of Welfare recommends everyone to seek opportunities to participate, and it is not necessary to perform the volunteer ritual with rakes and shovels. For people who speak foreign languages, this could involve providing consultations and mentorship – for refugees arriving in Latvia. The first steps in a new country are always easier with the help of friendly local assistants. This also applies to the field of high technology – the same IT support.
A wealth of positive emotions can come from interacting with animals, for which shelters have recently appeared throughout the republic.
Overall, the state is quite serious about relying on the work of volunteers – it will be included as a component in the National Development Plan until 2034.
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