Afbeelding
How do you find a good balance between paid and volunteer workers? Volunteers are indispensable in the leisure, tourism, and hospitality (LTH) sectors. Many organisations largely depend on their efforts, but a sustainable volunteer policy remains a challenge. This project examines how volunteers can be effectively and sustainably engaged while also maintaining organisational stability. The goal? To develop practical strategies to make volunteering more attractive and sustainable, benefiting both the organisations and the regions in which they operate.
What is the motivation for the project?
From museums and festivals to local community initiatives: without volunteers, many LTH organisations simply would not survive. Yet, finding, managing, and retaining volunteers is a complex challenge. Clear guidelines are often lacking to ensure smooth cooperation between paid employees and volunteers. This leads to:
Problems with maintaining a balanced distribution between paid and unpaid work.
Difficulty in attracting and training volunteers.
Barriers for people who want to do volunteer work.
Specific challenges in regions such as Friesland and Brabant.
A lack of scalable models that organisations can apply.
What problem does the project solve?
By addressing these bottlenecks, the project contributes to a healthy and sustainable volunteer climate in the LTH sector.
It focuses not only on improving organisations but also on creating a more positive experience for volunteers themselves. The knowledge gained will result in policy recommendations, best practices, and practical tools for organisations that work with volunteers, aligning with CELTH's sustainability and labor market agenda.
Who is the project team?
The research is conducted by experts from Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) and NHL Stenden, with specialists in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and cultural management:
Dr. Rodney Westerlaken (NHL Stenden) - Professor of Hospitality Studies
Dr. Geesje Duursma (NHL Stenden) - Expert in volunteer work and community engagement
Dr. Licia Calvi (BUas) - Specialist in digital transformation and cultural tourism
Dr. Bertine Bargeman (BUas) - Specialist in tourism and leisure interactions
What is the project approach?
The project follows a qualitative research method using a narrative approach, case studies, and participatory workshops.
The methodology includes:
Literature review: Analysis of existing studies on volunteering in the LTH sector.
Stakeholder workshops: Collaborating with organisations and volunteers to develop strategies.
Interviews and focus groups: Gaining insight into volunteer motivation and the needs of organisations.
Observational studies: Analysing practical situations within various LTH organisations.
Co-creation of solutions: Developing sustainable models for volunteer management.
The findings will be translated into practical tools, guidelines, and policy recommendations, allowing organisations to immediately start working with the results.
What are the main (or preliminary) results?
The preliminary results show that:
Volunteers play an essential role in the functioning and experience of LTH organisations.
A structured approach to volunteer management increases engagement and satisfaction.
Flexible organisations and clear communication lead to better collaboration with volunteers.
Regions benefit from tourism and heritage initiatives that rely on volunteers.
Sustainable volunteer management can contribute to a healthier labor market within the LTH sector.
This research not only helps organisations to better manage volunteers but also contributes to a broader societal interest: strengthening regional development and individual well-being. With a practical approach and concrete recommendations, this project aims to sustainably improve the future of volunteering in the LTH sector.
