Overall Summary

The Hague is a city of expats and internationals. In 2020, around 60,000 expats were living in The Hague and its surrounding areas (c.f. Amsterdamyeah). The 2018 Expat City Ranking labeled The Hague as the most expat-friendly city of the Netherlands (c.f. Thehagueinternationalcenter), and despite having been outranked by Amsterdam in 2020, the expat-friendly qualities internationals have come to enjoy while living in The Hague remain. To contribute to the high quality of life in The Hague, to enhance communities, and to offer internationals an anchor, Volunteer The Hague (VTH) was launched in 2014-2015 as a pilot project of the Municipality of The Hague and PEP, a local non-profit organization that is responsible for the implementation of the project. The Volunteer The Hague project focuses on The Hague region, its non-Dutch speaking internationals, its local non-profits, and community wellbeing in The Hague. Over the ensuing years since its inception, Volunteer The Hague has succeeded in establishing a low threshold project for expats and internationals who do not speak Dutch but would like to contribute to the community and society of The Hague through volunteer work. Currently, there are 5,914 such users registered with Volunteer The Hague who are poised to support our various local non-profits.

The following analysis was conducted in order to offer insight into the characteristics, motivations, and conditions of the international volunteers that make up the Volunteer The Hague community. The respective data were derived from the Volunteer The Hague database and analyzed in an aggregated, and therefore anonymous, manner. The population considered for this analysis comprises all registrants of the project through 31.12.2020 and was determined by the total number of registrants in the database. For some aspects of this analysis, the population was also subdivided and defined by year.

Key findings:

• Since its inception in 2014; 5,914 potential volunteers have registered with VTH. A steady growth of around 15% to 22% per year in registrations has been observed. (This excludes 2015, where there was an increase in 93% of registrations due to the project’s launch.)

• The average age of the volunteers registered with VTH is around 32 years of age. The most represented age group is 21–30-year-olds, followed by 31-40-year-olds.

• Most registrants (64.8%) live in The Hague, while the remaining registrants (35.2%) reside just outside the city and the surrounding region.

• Almost 90% of potential volunteers have a university degree or a degree from a university of applied science, and 10% have an advanced high school degree; in comparison, in both the European Union and in the Netherlands, the average percentage with respect to degrees in tertiary education is around 30-33%. (c.f. bpb)

• In regards to motivation, “Helping others” (73.4%) was listed as the main reason to volunteer by VTH registrants; guidance (77%) and the possibility to participate in training (61.7%) were the main features international volunteers are drawn to when it comes to choosing a non-profit organization at which to volunteer.

• An open question revealed that most registrants (around 80%) are willing to spend between 0 to 10 hours (0-5 hours – 41.8%; 6-10 hours – 37.7%) per week on volunteer work. A further 16% indicated that they were eager to lend 16 to 20 hours of their time per week.

• Every time of day and day of the week were covered by the preferences of volunteers registered with VTH; for each weekday (Monday through Friday), over 40% stated that they would be happy to do volunteer work, preferably in the morning (between 36-39%) and afternoon (between 34-36%). Over 30% indicated a willingness to put themselves out there on weekends

• Work in education (64.5%), event management (61.1%), or charity work (60.7%) are the most sought after job sectors by volunteers, as well as the environmental (60.5%) and care sectors (45.9%)

Volunteer The Hague began its journey with only 35 Volunteers at the end of 2014. Since implementation, the numbers of volunteers registering with VTH per year have been consistently on the rise, and a steady increase of 15% to 22% per year in registrants can be seen since 2015. Of course, COVID-19 greatly affected the community of international volunteers, and 2020 was the first year since the beginning of the VTH project that the number of new registrants did not surpass that of the previous year’s. However, more than a thousand potential volunteers still registered with Volunteer The Hague in 2020, so we are excited about what 2021 will bring—especially taking into consideration a recent ICAP study, which showed that 76% of expats intend to stay (c.f. ICAP). Helping others via volunteer work is a fantastic opportunity for every individual to integrate into society, develop roots, and lay a personal foundation for a life in the Netherlands.

In total, 5,914 Volunteers have registered with Volunteer The Hague since its inception. Most of these volunteers (64.8%) are living directly in the Hague, and the remaining registrants (35.2%) live in the region surrounding The Hague – a substantial number considering that Volunteer The Hague is a local project. The fact that VTH is established and well known beyond The Hague may also indicate that Volunteer The Hague strikes a chord with its specific approach and target audience.

Among Volunteer The Hague registrants who live directly in The Hague (N=3795), the majority reside in Centrum (34,3%), followed by Haagse Hout (17,4%) and Scheveningen (13,7%). The districts of residence are congruent with the districts that VTH registrants prioritize when selecting a volunteer job. The multiple-selection question showed clear a preference towards Centrum (94,4 %), Scheveningen (60,2%), and Haagse Hout (44,1%). The remaining districts of The Hague are represented almost equally in the results (between 28% and 32%); 10.2% of registrants indicated awillingness to take on volunteer work in the greater Hague region.

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

• To contribute to the quality of life in The Hague, to enhance local communities, and to offer internationals an anchor, Volunteer The Hague (VTH) was successfully launched in the last quarter of 2014

• The first 35 volunteers in 2014 were very quickly surpassed by a 93% increase in registrations in 2015

• Since 2015, we have seen a steady increase of 15% to 22% per year in registrants

• In 2020, registrations did not surpass the previous year’s for the first time since VTH launched due to the COVID-19 pandemic; nevertheless over 1000 new volunteers registered with VTH

• As of 31.12.2020, a total of 5,914 expats have registered with Volunteer The Hague since its inception in 2014

• Most VTH registrants live in The Hague (64.8%) while the rest reside in areas surrounding The Hague (35.2%)

• Most of the volunteers residing in The Hague live in Centrum (34.3%), Haagse Hout (17.4%), and Scheveningen (13.7%) and would prefer to find work correspondingly in Centrum (94.4%), Scheveningen (60.2%), and Haagse Hout (44.1%)

• Other areas of The Hague are slightly less popular and are distributed in a range between 29-32% 

Volunteer The Hague registrants are a community composed of individuals with exceptional skill. Their educational background and, subsequently, their experiences and skills, are of high quality. Considering that on average the percentage of attained degrees in tertiary education is around 30% to 33% (c.f. bpb) in both the European Union and in the Netherlands, it is remarkable that almost 90% of potential volunteers registered with Volunteer the Hague have either a university degree or an applied sciences degree. Furthermore, 10% have a higher high school degree.

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

•  Almost 90% of potential volunteers have obtained a university degree or a degree from a university of applied sciences; 10% have a higher high school degree

• In contrast, the average percentage of attained degrees in tertiary education in the European Union and the Netherlands is 30% to 33% on average (c.f. bpb)

The average age of Volunteer The Hague registrants is around 32 years old. The youngest person expressing interest in VTH services was age 16 and the oldest was 73 years of age at the time of registration. The age distribution in over the years of VTH’s operation has remained comparable. The most represented age group is the 21-30 year-old age group (46%), followed by people in their thirties and forties (31%). Likewise, percentages of other age groups also tend to remain stable every year, without a specific trend to be identified. To establish a contrast, the most prominent age groups of Dutch volunteers in the Netherlands are 35 to 45 year olds (54,7%), followed by 45 to 55 year olds (53,4%) (c.f.volksgezondheidenzorg).

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

• The age average of the Volunteer The Hague registrants is around 32 years old

• 21 – 30 year olds comprise the most represented age group (46%), followed by 31-40 year-olds (31%); this trend has remained stable over the years since VTH’s inception

•  In contrast, the most represented age group among Dutch volunteers is 35 to 45 year-olds (54,7%), followed by 45 to 55 -year-olds (53,4%) (c.f.volksgezondheidenzorg).

The variety and quality of educational backgrounds are reflected in the number and kinds of skills registrants would offer as volunteers at Dutch nonprofits. While registering with Volunteer The Hague, candidates were able to choose from among 18 different skills to create their volunteer profile. Most individuals indicated an ability to contribute with at least 4 Skills (16%), while the majority (54.8%) selected between 6 and 10 skills as their possible contribution potential. Most individuals exhibited a “hands-on mentality” (70.6%) in various areas of expertise such as in conceptualizing (76.5%), organizing (71%), teaching (64.6%), communication, and coaching (57.0%) or management (36.3%).

Looking at the educational background, skills, job sector, and the kind of volunteer work preferred by registrants, a wide variety was seen. Working in education (64.5%), event management (61.1%), or with a charity (60.7%) w highly sought job sectors, as well as the environmental (60.5%) or the care sectors (45.9%). Governmental sectors are also of high interest (44.9%), as international volunteers are perhaps eager to add to their own experience of proposal writing or fundraising.

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

•  Volunteer The Hague registrants are highly skilled and comprise a wide range of competencies based on respective multiple selection questions

• Registrants clearly consider themselves as having a “hands-on mentality” (70.6%) in various areas of expertise, including conceptualizing (76.5%), organizing (71.0%), teaching (64.6%), communication and coaching (57.0%), or management (36.3%), among others

•  Education work (64.5%), event management (61.1%), or charity work (60.7%) are highly desired job sectors, as well as the environmental (60.5%) or care sectors (45.9%)

• The governmental sector is also of high interest (44.9%), and international volunteers seem eager to add to their own experience of proposal writing or fundraising

Being an international and/or new to a country comes with various endeavors and challenges where help and guidance would be very welcomed; yet social contacts, friends, and feelings of belonging are sometimes lacking. So it is not surprising that these aspects were brought up by potential volunteers when they were asked about their motivation for volunteering. Such motivations include establishing “social contact” (70.5%), “staying active” (69.­­­8%), “being useful” (65.1%), or “practicing Dutch” (48.4%). But “helping others” (73.4%) was chosen as the main reason by internationals to register with Volunteer The Hague. In order to do so, most registrants wished for corresponding guidance (77%) in the nonprofit organization for which they volunteer, as well as the possibility to participate in training in the respective organization (61.7%). Receiving a certificate (50.4%), travel reimbursement (51.5%), and expense reimbursement (38.9%) were also considerations for internationals registered with Volunteer The Hague, although to a lesser degree. 

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

•  “Helping others” (73.4%) was chosen as the main reason to volunteer by VTH registrants

•  The potential of “social contact” (70.5%), “staying active” (69.8%), “being useful” (65.1%) or “practicing Dutch” (48.4%) were also chosen as motivating factors

•  Guidance (77%) and the possibility to participate in training (61.7%) were the main factors international volunteers find attractive when choosing non-profit organizations for volunteering

• Receive a certificate (50.4%), travel reimbursement (51.5%), and expense reimbursement (38.9%) were also considerations for the internationals registered with Volunteer The Hague, though to a lesser degree

Most of the volunteers registered with Volunteer The Hague stated in an open question that they are willing to spend between 0 to 10 hours (0-5 hours, 41.8 %; 6-10 hours, 35.7%) per week on volunteer work. In addition, 16% indicated an eagerness to donate 16 to 20 hours of their time per week, while 10.2 % expressed a willingness to to volunteer at least 20 hours per week. Looking at the preferences around days of the week, there is little noticeable difference (variation of max three percentage points). In other words, on any workday of the week, over 40% are happy to engage in volunteer work. Furthermore, over 30% are identifiable, which would put themselves out there to support non-profits in The Hague in attaining their goals in the weekends. Registrants indicated that most favorable times of day for carrying out volunteer tasks would be the morning (between 36-39%) and the afternoon (between 34-36%) from Monday to Friday. Evenings are still favorable to some potential candidates: between 15% and 18% can imagine spending their evening with volunteer work, and 6% to 8% could be called the owls of volunteer work for being open to working at night. Weekends are a different story; individuals willing to do volunteer work on the weekend indicated a slight preference for the afternoon and the evening. Nevertheless, preference for all times of day were between 21%-27%.

Summary of the above text in bullet points:

•  Based on an open question, most of the registrants (around 80%) are willing to spend between 0 to 10 hours (0-5 hours, 41.8 %; 06-10 hours, 35.7%) per week on volunteer work

•  16% are eager to donate 16 to 20 hours of their time per week, and a small percentage indicated a willingness to volunteer for 20-plus hours per week. (10.2%)

• Over 40% of registrants indicated a willingness to volunteer on each weekday (Monday through Friday)

•   Over 30% are willing to put themselves out there on the weekends

•  From Monday to Friday, the most favorable times to carry out volunteer tasks were the morning (between 36-39%) and the afternoon (between 34-36%)

•  The evening was still favored by some potential candidates; between 15% and 18% were willing to spend their evening with volunteer work, and 6 to 8% indicated a willingness to work later at night

• Registrants who showed a preference to do volunteer work on weekends indicated a slight preference for the afternoon and evening, but overall, all times of day on weekends reached between 21%-27%

This analysis is based on N= 5914 entries from the Volunteer the Hague database. One entry reflects one potential volunteer. The population of the analysis is defined by the criteria of the primary target audience of Volunteer the Hague, including being an international and/or expat,  and/or non-Dutch speaker looking for volunteer work at Dutch nonprofit organizations that do not require Dutch language skills in order to carry out relevant tasks.

Sources:

https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/visualisations/dashboard-population. Retrieved 24.04.2021

https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/cijfers/detail/81464ENG Retrieved 24.04.2021

https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/news/2018-11/the-hague-most-expat-friendly-city-in-the-netherlands Retrieved 24.04.2021

https://longreads.cbs.nl/trends18-eng/society/figures/education/ Retrieved 24.04.2021

https://www.bpb.de/nachschlagen/zahlen-und-fakten/europa/135810/bevoelkerung-nach-bildungsstand Retrieved 24.04.2021

https://amsterdamyeah.com/how-many-expats-live-in-amsterdam/ Retrieved 14.06.2021

https://www.volksgezondheidenzorg.info/onderwerp/participatie/cijfers-context/vrijwilligerswerk#node-vrijwilligerswerk-naar-leeftijd Retrieved 14.06.2021

https://icapnl.org/accompanying-partners-september-2020/ 14.06.2021