The effects of volunteering on young immigrants’ sense of belonging: a European perspective

Journal title MONDI MIGRANTI
Author/s Marzia Bona, Andrea Carlà, Heidi Flarer, Marie Lehner, Astrid Mattes-Zippenfenig, Ursula Reeger
Publishing Year 2022 Issue 2022/1
Language Italian Pages 20 P. 25-44 File size 204 KB
DOI 10.3280/MM2022-001002
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This paper examines the effects of volunteering on young immigrants in six European countries, focusing on the changes that occurred in their sense of belonging and links with their place of residence after one year of voluntary involvement. The study focused on volunteers' self-perceptions, measured through qualitative methods, using a control group. The hypothesis - that the experience could strengthen the sense of belonging with varying intensity depending on the participant's migratory background - was partly confirmed. The analysis shows appreciable variations particularly among young people with a migrant background, for those who have been involved for longer, and among young people with previous volunteering experience, indicating the importance of volunteering contexts that support bridging social capital.

Keywords: belonging; participation; young people; volunteering; immigrants; diversity.

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  • Empowering Migrant Inclusion Nicoletta Pavesi, pp.61 (ISBN:978-3-031-55500-8)

Marzia Bona, Andrea Carlà, Heidi Flarer, Marie Lehner, Astrid Mattes-Zippenfenig, Ursula Reeger, Gli effetti del volontariato sul senso di appartenenza di giovani immigrati: una prospettiva europea in "MONDI MIGRANTI" 1/2022, pp 25-44, DOI: 10.3280/MM2022-001002