Volunteering opportunities in higher education

Abstract

In this paper, I present the results of empirical research and practical pilot programmes carried out in the frame of an international project. The project was about the promotion of pro bono activities among university students, involving corporate experts and non-profit companies. The conclusions of the research and the pilot programmes implemented over two years, several of which were digitally implemented during the covid period, show that young people are open to volunteering and willing to participate in well-organised and prepared pro bono activities. For higher education institutions, integrating pro bono into the curricular portfolio is an excellent way to increase the practicality of education, strengthen business links and, last but not least, increase young people’s social awareness. The particular value of the pro bono activities carried out digitally during the covid period is how the volunteer programme was able to adapt to the challenges of the virus situation and how it was able to successfully implement pro bono programmes in the online space, involving corporate professionals, non-profit grantees, and academic experts. The conclusions could be useful for professionals in higher education as well as for non-profit organizations on how to make knowledge-sharing pro bono activities work to the benefit of all stakeholders on how to make knowledge-sharing pro bono activities work to the benefit of all stakeholders.