Giving and Volunteering in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Indigenous Communities (2016)

05/09/2016

Giving and Volunteering in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Indigenous Communities (2016)

This important report identifies issues around volunteering in Australian c ulturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities, with clear messages for organisations wishing to improve activity with these communities.

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Indigenous communities in Australia are strongly involved in volunteering and giving, yet there has been little recent research into volunteering and giving in these communities. The Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioned the Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA) to conduct research into volunteering and giving in these communities in order to support the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership.

The aims of this research included increasing understanding of what ‘volunteering’ means within these communities, understanding the challenges and identifying enablers to growing volunteering, and also the view of the philanthropic sector on these questions. 

A key finding is that both CALD and Indigenous communities see formal volunteering (through an organisation) as a more difficult and barrier-ridden way to contribute to their community. However, both groups reported considerable informal (i.e. not organised through an organisation) contribution to build and support their communities – for example with family support, cultural activities, and linking to Government and service organisations. The under-reporting and under-recognition of this informal activity as volunteering has hidden its contribution.

Of particular interest is the under-recognition of the time these volunteers give to assist their community interact with Government and service organisations: filling forms, explaining criteria, and attending meetings and interviews with people.

There are many suggestions for how organisations can assist CALD and Indigenous people to increase involvement.

This report is a must read for any organisation involved with CALD and, or Indigenous communities. Many of the issues may also be applicable to those working with other groups in the community such as those with low language and literacy levels. 

A separate literature review is also published on the website.

Publication: Final Report June 2016

Developed by: The Cultural & Indigenous Research Centre Australia 2016. Commonwealth of Australia 2016 .

Access the report here.

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