Volume 6. Issue 3. 2026.
Editorial Preface
The central theme of the third issue of the sixth volume of the online journal Volunteering Review is the analysis and presentation of the roles and activities of civil and non-profit organizations dedicated to social causes. We offer a diverse range of content, providing a comprehensive overview of the social civil and nonprofit sub-sector— spanning approximately 230 pages — through three theoretical studies and seven case studies that examine the sub-sector from a longitudinal perspective and assess the situation of organizations operating in various fields of activity. By conducting a longitudinal analysis covering the period from 1990 to 2024, we aimed to address the data gap facing researchers, social sector professionals, and leaders of civil and nonprofit organizations—a gap resulting from the absence of detailed statistical data on the sub-sector since 2017.While the first theoretical study presents the characteristics of social-purpose civil and non-profit organizations and their volunteers over the course of three and a half decades—contextualized within the development of domestic social policy and the nonprofit sector—the second study examines these aspects through the lens of the sub-sector's economic strength and revenue structure. The third study—included for its importance in raising awareness, despite its only tangential connection to the main theme—investigates the factors that may hinder individuals from becoming volunteers. This study aims to assist civil society and non-profit organizations with a social mission in developing their recruitment strategies. Nonprofit statistics classify these organizations into six activity categories: general multi-purpose; care and support for people with health impairments; child and youth protection; social support for the needy and family welfare; and support for the elderly. Through the selected case studies, we have endeavored to cover these areas of activity to varying degrees. First, we present a comprehensive perspective—examining the relationship between social work and volunteering—on the activities, challenges, and issues faced by social-purpose civil organizations working in segregated areas and in homelessness services. Second, we highlight the role of inclusive volunteering for young people transitioning out of the child protection system. Third, a case study addressing current issues within the disability rights movement covers other important topics and challenges. We would particularly like to draw attention to two case studies that focus on raising awareness of and engaging higher education students in volunteering, as well as the associated research and practical experiences. Finally, the book review section recommends a newly published work that explores the subject of volunteering from an andragogical perspective. In our view, this perspective also clearly demonstrates the diverse interdisciplinary approaches that research into volunteering offers.
Scylla or Charybdis? – Characteristics of social nonprofit organizations and their volunteers based on nonprofit statistical data (1994–2024)
Anna Mária Bartal - István Sebestény
"Over the past three decades, civil and non-profit organizations with a social purpose have played an undeniable role — by assuming public duties, service delivery, and advocacy — in shaping not only the non-profit sector but social policy as well."
Social patterns of volunteering disengagement – Analysis of hindering reasons based on the results of the survey "Volunteering in Hungary 2023"
Andrea Béla-Csovcsics – Bettina Bifkovics – Miklós Gyorgyovich
"The factors acting as barriers vary across different social groups, suggesting that employing targeted, differentiated communication and recruitment strategies could be effective in increasing volunteer participation."
Changes in the economic capacity and revenue structure of social nonprofit organizations in Hungary, over the past three and a half decades
Eszter Sipos Nándori
"Based on the results, the economic significance of the social non-profit sector has increased substantially over the long term; while the number of organizations declined after 2010, revenues and employment capacity continued to expand."
The role of volunteering in the activities of the Eger Foundation of the Fund to Support the Poor (SZETA)
Zsuzsanna Farkas
"Our volunteers—who come from diverse social backgrounds and presumably hold varying individual motivations—are united by solidarity, a sense of responsibility, and a commitment to social justice, while serving as an indispensable resource for our organization and generating social value."
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Successful redefinition of volunteer management in homeless services in Budapest – a case study of the Only One Mission
Kristóf Ménesi
"The goal of the new system was not merely to increase the number of volunteers, but to build a committed volunteer community in which individual skills, motivations, and connections could be harnessed in the service of the organization's mission."
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Learning by helping: Ten years of experiences and challenges in Volunteer Peer Support Practice at Széchenyi István University
Márta Nárai – Bettina Oszter – Gertrúd Pécsi
"The study highlights that voluntary internships bridge the gap between formal education and experiential learning. They are particularly important for career orientation, identity formation, and competence development, as professional roles and ethical sensitivity can only be partially taught in the classroom."
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The role of volunteering, community participation, and informal support during the transition from child protective services to independent living
Enikő Bordás
"The research findings suggest that the successful transition to independent living for young people leaving the child protection system is not supported by a single factor."
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Current issues in the Hungarian disability movement – A case study
Zsuzsa Kondor – Borbála Bányai
"The results confirmed that advocacy organizations simultaneously fulfill roles related to legal and interest protection, service provision, and community organizing, while their operations are significantly shaped by the institutional and funding conditions of disability policy."
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After thirty years – Social work in a civil society organisation: A case study of the Periféria Association
Katalin Szoboszlai
"As an organization providing social services, the association is heavily reliant on state and municipal funding; this dependency renders the organization vulnerable in both financial and professional terms."
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Nursing Students' willingness to volunteer in the care of disadvantaged populations: A cross-sectional study
Judit Németh – Angelika Szatmári – Adrienn Újváriné Siket – Gabriella Hideg-Fehér – Miklós Zrínyi
"Our results showed a low willingness to volunteer among nursing students. The factors most strongly supporting the intention to volunteer were education, social motivation, and a helping attitude."
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