A Socio-Educational Approach to Environmental Volunteerism Motivation in Moroccan Universities: Towards a Regulatory Framework for Monitoring and Diagnosis

Objective: This research paper aims to analyze the motivations and determinants that drive university youth to engage in volunteer work, with a particular focus on environmental awareness within the university space. The university environment serves as a fertile ground for instilling educational and civic values, providing a conducive setting for fostering environmental volunteerism among students and positioning them as key actors in correcting behaviors that contradict environmental preservation. Problem: The study addresses the issue of low levels of environmental volunteer participation among Moroccan university students. This necessitates an examination of socio-educational and institutional factors shaping such participation. Methodology: The research adopts a theoretical and analytical approach to understand and diagnose the underlying factors influencing students’ environmental awareness. It highlights the crucial role of primary educational institutions (such as the family) and the university in fostering environmental volunteerism among students. The study is framed within theoretical perspectives that incorporate functionalist and exchange theories. Findings: The results indicate that the university environment represents a promising platform for developing a culture of environmental volunteerism, despite the challenges that hinder full student participation. Recommendations: Based on these findings, the study offers recommendations to enhance students' active engagement in environmental protection. This includes adopting a university educational policy that not only focuses on its internal environment but also extends its outreach to the broader community, positioning environmental issues as a central concern and environmental volunteerism as a key educational and civic mechanism. Keywords: Volunteerism, University Youth, Environmental Awareness, Socio-Educational.