Switzerland, volunteering champion
Switzerland has a strong volunteering tradition:
- 30% of adults volunteer formally or informally yearly
- More than 150,000 registered associations
- Over 700 million volunteer hours per year
- Associative life is central to Swiss social cohesion
Why get involved
Personal benefits
- Social bonds: fast local integration for newcomers
- Skills: gain transferable competencies for work
- Network: broaden professional and personal circles
- Meaning: contribute to a cause you care about
- Language learning: regular contextual practice
For society
- Stronger solidarity
- Compensation of public services (elderly, migrants, etc.)
- Heritage and nature preservation
- Lively democracy
Popular areas
Social
- Caritas, Red Cross, Winter Aid: help the disadvantaged
- Pro Senectute: elderly support
- EPER: refugee and migrant aid
- Hospital volunteering: patient companionship
- Neighbourhood houses, day camps: childhood and youth
Sport
- Local sports clubs: coaches, leaders, organisers
- Events: Course de l'Escalade, Lausanne Marathon, sports festivals
- All sports rely on volunteers
Culture
- Amateur theatres, choirs, music
- Museums, monuments
- Festivals: Paléo, Montreux Jazz, Locarno Film Festival
- Public libraries
Environment
- WWF Switzerland, Greenpeace: advocacy and field work
- Pro Natura, Birdlife: nature and biodiversity
- Neighbourhood associations: greening the city, shared gardens
- Collective clean-ups: Swiss Clean-up Day in September
Education and youth
- Homework help: neighbourhood houses, schools
- Scouts, Jubla: youth supervision
- Mentoring: Mentoring CH, Connexion
- Aid to foreign students
Politics and democracy
- Political parties: leafleting, debate, candidacy
- Communal councils: militia system = volunteer engagement
- Civic associations: Avenir Suisse, Travail.Suisse
How to start
Step 1: identify interests
- What are you passionate about?
- How much time can you give per month (4–20h)?
- Do you want regular or occasional engagement?
Step 2: find an association
- benevol.ch: national volunteering portal
- Communes: local association desk
- Word of mouth: neighbours, colleagues
- Social media: local Facebook, LinkedIn
Step 3: first contact
- Visit a meeting
- Talk with the volunteering manager
- Trial period 1–3 months
- Formal engagement via agreement
Tax advantages
Donations to associations
- Deductible up to 20% of net income (federal)
- Varies by canton
- Conditions: association recognised of public utility
Volunteering expenses
- Travel costs deductible in some cantons
- Volunteer-related meals sometimes deductible
- Keep receipts
Professional engagement: the militia culture
Switzerland has a militia system:
- Politics: communal and cantonal councils volunteer or low-paid
- Military: compulsory service 18–37 for men (reservists)
- Volunteer firefighters: in most communes
- Samaritans: volunteer first aid, free training
It's a core value: everyone is expected to contribute to the community.
Tips
- Start small: 2–4h/month is enough to integrate
- Choose something that speaks to you: lasting motivation
- Use it to learn the local language: great context
- Engage as a family: kids learn civic values
- Document your engagement: useful on CV (soft skills, leadership)
- Limit your commitment: avoid volunteer burnout, keep balance
- Newcomers often integrate faster through volunteering than through work alone
