The year has started well for volunteering in Norway, with 25% more visits to the web portal Volunteer Norway. Last year, the pandemic put a damper on voluntary work.

“Both the marking of the Year of Volunteering 2022 and the gradual opening of Norway after the pandemic have led to increased interest in volunteer work,” communications consultant Birgitte Heneide in Frivillig.no told the newspaper Nationen. The digital bulletin board mediates voluntary assignments and is used by over 2,000 organizations.

From December 25 to January 17, the portal had 48,121 visits, around 25% more than the year before. At the same time, the Volunteer Barometer survey shows that fewer Norwegians performed voluntary work last year than in 2019 – 55% against 65% of all those over 15.

The organizations hope that many will now return to voluntary efforts.

“Time for a new start”

“New Year is traditionally a time for a new start and high ambitions. It is good to see that New Year’s resolutions can be about contributing to others – and that so many (people) are now engaged and would like to participate in volunteer work,” project manager Vanja Konradsen in Frivillig.no added.

Many people have started the year by signing up as visiting friends, handball coaches, refugee guides, scout leaders, or homework helpers.

Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]