Volunteer activities are work carried out for the benefit of individuals or communities free of charge and, as a rule, participants do not receive financial compensation.
The party organising volunteer activities may be a registered association, municipality, wellbeing services county, the State, a company, parish or other organisation. The activities must be of general interest. They can be related to a wide range of things, including human well-being, nature, environmental protection, crisis response, rescue services, services for older people, child and youth work, arts and culture, sports and physical activity, and activities with immigrants.
When selecting volunteers, the organiser shall not discriminate against anyone on basis of such things as their age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, origin or nationality.
As a rule, a person will not receive pay or remuneration for volunteer activities. Volunteer activities must not be dangerous, nor must they threaten the health or well-being of the person volunteering. The amount of activities must be reasonable and the tasks must be suitable for volunteers. Volunteer activities for people under the age of 18 must be light.
Volunteer activities should not replace work that must be carried out as usual in an employment relationship or as a self-employed person.
The party organising volunteer activities has the right to determine what kind of competence is required of the candidate. For example, some organisers require that volunteers are adults.
A hygiene passport is rarely required in volunteer activities. Food service tasks will require a hygiene passport if the volunteer works professionally in a food premises for more than three months or if the organiser requires it.
The organiser of volunteer activities may appoint a contact person who is responsible for the work guidance and arrangements of the volunteers. Volunteers must be inducted or trained for the task. The coordination and management of volunteer activities have been considered to include, first the recruitment of volunteers, their orientation, planning their development path, work guidance, encouragement and other support. It is important that the volunteer receives orientation, advice and support for the tasks they perform, and the volunteer knows what is expected of them
As far as possible, the party organising the activities is obliged to take care of the safety and health of the volunteers. Volunteering is often also mentally stressful for volunteers. In this case, the organiser of the activities can offer the volunteer, e.g. work guidance to help them cope in their tasks.
Many organisers purchase accident and travel insurance for their volunteers. Organisers may also purchase liability insurance. Volunteers should be informed of the insurance cover and the matters for which they are liable.
If a volunteer regularly participates in activities with children or young people, the organiser of the activities has the right to investigate their possible criminal background before the activities begin. The volunteer must be asked for consent before the organiser requests an extract of their criminal record.
Requesting an extract of a person’s criminal record is always related to the task, not to the person performing it or their characteristics. The extract is applied for in writing from the Legal Register Centre.
In voluntary activities, the organiser must ensure the data protection of the participants. Activities and associations often collect personal data from participants, such as names, personal identification numbers, addresses, allergies, bank account numbers or dates of birth. These data must be processed in such a way that, for example, they do not fall into the hands of third parties.
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Participation in volunteer activities may result in costs for volunteers that can be reimbursed. Such costs include travel and accommodation costs.
Volunteer activities carried out in a non-profit organisation are eligible for tax-free accommodation allowances and daily allowances for a maximum of 20 days per calendar year. Travel costs can also be reimbursed for a journey made between a person’s residence and the place where the volunteer activities are carried out. The maximum tax-exempt amount for reimbursement of the costs of a journey made with a vehicle that is not public transport is EUR 3,000 per calendar year.