The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has become the Polish National Coordinating Body (NCB) for EYV 2011. The Central Statistical Office undertakes cyclical research on voluntary activities, the first part of the research will be completed in the 1st quarter of 2011 and its results will be available at the end of the year. Since voluntary work was described as an “additional element shaping the image of the Polish presidency”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also pursue activities related to volunteering development and promotion.

Conclusions from the events taking place in the 2nd quarter of 2011 and connected with the EYV 2011 will be included and mentioned on the forum of the EU-27 during official meetings under the calendar of the Polish presidency. As high as possible level of correlation of both events will also to enhance the image of the Polish presidency in the European Union.

Consultations with non-governmental organisations and departments operating in the field of volunteering establish some key priority areas for the year - promotion of voluntary activity values and its benefits creating trend for volunteering, reinforcing the role of voluntary services organisers, and reinforcing of a systematic approach towards volunteering leading to a long-term policy for Volunteering Development in Poland.

Available surveys indicate that the level of involvement of Polish citizens in voluntary activities is considerably lower than the average in the European Union, which amounts to 23%. Only 12.9% of Polish people, that is approx. 3.8 million, declared in November 2009 that during the last 12 months they had dedicated their time to work for a social organisation or an informal group, which is similar to 2009 as well as 2008.

However, during the years 2005-2006 over 20% of Polish people were involved in voluntary activities. The low level of involvement in voluntary activity in Poland is the most visible sign of specific barriers which hinder volunteering development. The European Year of Volunteering is an opportunity to face these challenges.

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