Volunteer work is something that is highly valued in Norwegian society. The Norwegian National Volunteer Day has been marked all over the country and, with it. the start of the Norwegian Year of Volunteering 2022. Crown Prince Haakon is this year’s patron, and participated with a video greeting during the celebration.
During his speech, the Crown Prince said: “Volunteering is a force in Norwegian society that we would not have managed without. A force it is impossible to determine the value of exactly. When we throughout the year 2022 will mark the Year of Volunteering, we celebrate everything that for many of us makes life extra meaningful, and which is so valuable for our entire country. For volunteering is a great interaction that involves and affects both individuals, organizations and sectors”.
Calculations have been made to try to estimate the value of the voluntary effort. The estimate is for 142.000 working-years’ of work worth 78 billion Norwegian crowns. Nevertheless, what is it really worth for someone to get up early on a Sunday to bake a cake for a football match in the pouring rain, the Crown Prince asked. What is the value of including newcomers in the local community, of marking hiking trails?
The year of volunteering 2022 will celebrate Norway’s most important team work, and it is Volunteering Norway that has been given the responsibility to plan and coordinate the efforts. It must be marked from north to south and in both physical and digital events. All teams, associations, volunteer centres, municipalities and other partners are invited to make volunteering visible and relevant, increase knowledge and recognition and to get more people involved.
Crown Prince Haakon encouraged everyone to find something to contribute. The Crown Prince said: “It will be extra fun to be part of volunteering this year. I would therefore encourage everyone to find something exactly you can contribute, something that is right for you. There is something for everyone. In addition, there is a need to have everyone on the team. Thank you very much for the effort you make. Good luck to everyone with the Year of Volunteering 2022”.
