Volunteer work is becoming more popular in Hungary, especially among the younger generations, who typically offer their help for social and environmental causes occasionally, but at least several times a year. These are the findings of a research published on Thursday at a Budapest press conference by Minister of State for Social and Family Affairs Miklós Soltész and Balázs Orbán, research director of the Századvég Foundation.
Mr Soltész reminded that Parliament passed a law submitted by the government in 2011, which made secondary school graduation for students conditional to at least 50 hours of community work.
Mr Soltész said that within the Social and Childcare General Directorate currently more than 600 young people do voluntary work. One such place is the Institute for Blind, where the press conference was held.
He said that within the New Széchenyi economic development plan in 2011-13, 102 organizations received 1.7 billion forints (EUR 5.6 million) via tenders to promote voluntary work.
Balázs Orbán said that their research – published in a separate volume – showed that volunteer work is becoming more popular and those who try it once, will usually return. He also said that seven out of 10 people regularly donate – mostly money – to good causes, with the majority being formed by the elderly, rich and women.
(Ministry of Human Resources)
