Volunteer activities in communities: current issues of legal regulation

The article examines the concept and content of volunteering at the community level under martial law. It is argued that local self-government bodies, avoiding interference in the activities of volunteer initiatives, organizations and institutions that involve volunteers in their activities, should create favorable conditions for the development of volunteerism, public activity, increase the level of self-organization of residents, and implement tools of public participation in the adoption and implementation of governmental decisions. Based on the experience of European countries, where volunteering is an important component of social and civic activities, practical recommendations have been developed to strengthen volunteering in communities, in particular, in conditions of martial law. Local self-government bodies are recommended to constantly inform the community, in particular by placing on the official website information about the list of organizations that involve volunteers in their activities by types and areas of activity; the list of volunteers by areas of activity; applications regarding needs/problems that can be solved with the help of volunteer activities; information on the possibility of providing or receiving humanitarian assistance; means for coordinating the actions of organizations among themselves. Create and financially ensure the functioning of volunteer hubs in communities, attract public opinion leaders (public figures, military personnel, bloggers, experts, famous personalities, etc.) who have experience in volunteer activities; include organizations and institutions that involve volunteers in their activities and/or have a volunteer orientation, to work as part of organizing committees, expert and working groups, advisory and consultative bodies at local government bodies on volunteering issues; conduct public consultations on socially important issues related to volunteering, as well as conduct public discussions, hearings, meetings in the «round table» format, etc. on topical issues of the community and humanitarian needs, etc. Attention is paid to the legal mechanisms of involving young people in volunteering and supporting the ideas of volunteering among schoolchildren.