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Historical developments

Historical foundations and voluntary organisations date back to the 14^th–15^th centuries in Hungary. At that time, the early form of volunteering occurred in secular hospitals and homes that accepted private donations.

'A first law regulating foundations was enacted in 1723, giving the King the right to control the activities and the financial accounts of the foundations. Volunteering mostly related to carrying out social services; political rights advocacy of voluntary associations emerged in the 19^th century.' (Study on Volunteering in the European Union Country Report Hungary, 2010)

At the beginning of the 20^th century scouting was the most important area of youth work. The Hungarian Scout Association (Magyar Cserkészszövetség) was founded in 1912, whose main task was to promote recreational activities and a religious approach. Hungary organised the World Scout Jamboree in 1933.

Communist regime

'The communist regime that took over Hungary in 1947 halted the development of the voluntary sector. Most voluntary associations were banned, and what remained was nationalised and brought under state control.' (Study on Volunteering in the European Union Country Report Hungary, 2010)

During the socialist era, scouting was replaced by the pioneer movement - as the ideological background of youth work - which targeted children and young people from 2^nd grade at primary school. However, its leadership was also based on official, state-organised voluntary work.

In addition, non-ideological voluntary organisations such as local voluntary fire brigades and the Hungarian Red Cross were allowed to continue to operate under state supervision.

Regime change

''In the running up to the regime change, the voluntary organisations in Hungary again became an important political vehicle (…) The United Nations 'International Year of Volunteers' in 2001 was an important catalyst for the development of the sector as it increased cooperation between the various ministries and the NGOs and paved the way for a law on volunteering as well as the creation of the National Volunteer Centre Foundation (Önkéntes Központ Alapítvány).'' (Study on Volunteering in the European Union Country Report Hungary, 2010)

The government considers youth volunteering a priority, which is also reflected in the introduction of school community service which is a 50–hour compulsory social or environmental protection activity pre-requisite for graduation in secondary education (iskolai közösségi szolgálat, IKSZ). Financial support targets more community projects and less the ones with civilian aspects. One of the main objectives of school community service is to strengthen local communities, but its pedagogical goals also include developing active citizenship. It can include social and environmental protection activity for the advantage of the local community. It is carried out within organised framework. (For more information on the school community service, see 9.4)

Main concepts

Definition of the Hungarian non-profit sector

The primary legal and policy category for the sector is the 'civil organization' (civil szervezet), as codified by the Act CLXXV of 2011 (Civil törvény). This term serves as a collective legal category for associations and foundations.

In the Hungarian context, a clear distinction is made between these 'civil organizations' and 'non-profit enterprises'. While the latter are business entities pursuing non-profit goals, the term 'civil' is reserved for community-based, non-governmental initiatives.

Definitions of volunteer activities

Act LXXXVIII of 2005 on Public Interest Volunteer Activities

The primary legal framework for volunteering is the Act LXXXVIII of 2005 on Public Interest Volunteer Activities (Volunteer Act) (2005. évi LXXXVIII. törvény a közérdekű önkéntes tevékenységről), which defines volunteering as

'activities based on solidarity among members of society that express volunteer action of citizens and are pursued by individuals and communities without remuneration and for the benefit of others.'

National Volunteer Strategy 2012–2020

Another key document was the National Volunteer Strategy 2012–2020 (Nemzeti Önkéntes Stratégia 2012–2020, NVS), which provided a more detailed definition of volunteering as follows:

'Volunteering is an activity carried out by somebody of their own free will, by their own decision and motivation, without any intention of gaining a financial profit for themselves, for the benefit of another person or other persons, or the community at large. It comes with its own particular set of values, distinguishing it from paid work.'

Since no new approach has been adopted, the National Volunteer Strategy 2012–2020 remains in force. The preparation of the new National Volunteer Strategy (intended for the 2023–2030 period) has been prolonged; as of early 2026, its official government adoption is under progress. (For more information, see 2.3)

It is important to emphasise that the 'Voluntarism in Hungary 2018' (Önkéntesség Magyarországon 2018) research, which served as a mid-term evaluation of the strategy, excludes favours done for family or friends from the definition of volunteering, aligning with international International Labour Organization standards.

School community service

Although the school community service (iskolai közösségi szolgálat, IKSZ) is closely related to volunteering, it is a separate concept. The Educational Authority (Oktatási Hivatal) published the official definition of the school community service in 2021:

'An individual or group activity that is independent of financial interests, organised for the benefit of the learner's local community, and includes its pedagogical processing in the eight areas defined by law.'

(For more information on the school community service, see 9.4)

Community service vs. volunteering

The National Volunteer Strategy 2012-2020 interprets the similarities and differences between the community service and volunteering concepts as follows:

'Community service can be regarded as the starting point, and the introductory step in the direction of carrying out actual voluntary work, and the role this can play should not be underestimated.

This strategy aims to draw attention to the fact that educators, mentors and social workers involved in coordinating of community service in secondary educational institutions must be aware of the difference between the two concepts and activities and should also make their environment aware of these differences.

However, the concepts of community service and volunteering have some things in common because both generally serve the public good. Both bring benefits and greater value to the people who do them and to those around them - because by doing them, everyone acquires values that can increase awareness of community involvement and a sense of responsibility - and both can bring benefits later in life or when looking for work.'

Statistical data on volunteering

The Hungarian Central Statistical Office regularly collects data related to voluntary activities. According to the latest data from 2023, 27% of 15–24-year-olds and 25% of 25–34-year-olds volunteered that year. On average, 15–24-year-olds reported 35 hours of activity, while 25–34-year-olds reported 54 hours in 12 months.

Although the terminology (volunteer work) differs from the strategy (volunteerism), the definition of volunteering is the same. According to the Statistical Office, volunteers are

'persons who carried out an activity in the last 12 months preceding the survey:

a) directly or through an organisation
b) voluntarily, unpaid, without remuneration or compensation,
c) for the benefit of others, outside their households or for the benefit of society (a group, a wider community, animals, the environment, etc.).

The three conditions must be met all at once. Helping parents, children or relatives living in another household was also counted as volunteer work.' (HCSO, 2023)