Written By: Aditi Basdeo @ Echo Impact Consulting
There’s something magical about a bonfire. You start with a spark—maybe a match, maybe the friction of two stones—something small, unassuming. But if you feed it right, give it air and fuel, it grows. It becomes a source of warmth, light, and connection. But if you neglect it? If you pile too much on too quickly or fail to protect it from the wind? It sputters, flickers, and eventually dies out.
That’s youth volunteerism in 2025. A fire waiting to grow—but too often, we don’t know how to keep it burning.
The Flickering Sparks: Why Youth Engagement Is Struggling
I’ve spent years mentoring and leading young volunteers, and I’ve seen this struggle up close. Organizations desperately need volunteers—58% of charities rely entirely on unpaid help (Imagine Canada). Yet, fewer young people are stepping in. Is it because they don’t care? Not even close.
Youth volunteer rates in Canada hover around 53%, significantly higher than other age groups (Statistics Canada). The spark is there. But the way organizations engage youth? That’s where the disconnect happens.
The Misfire: Many organizations still use outdated volunteer models—rigid hours, low-impact tasks, and a lack of meaningful recognition. Imagine inviting a young person to a bonfire, but instead of letting them build or tend the fire, you hand them a tiny candle and tell them to sit in the corner. They want to be involved, not just be warm bodies filling roles.
In recent years, youth engagement in volunteer activities has seen both challenges and opportunities. Notably, 53% of Canadians aged 15–24 are involved in volunteering, surpassing the national average of 44%. This statistic underscores the inherent willingness of young people to contribute to causes they believe in.blog.volunteer.ca
Building a Fire That Lasts: What Organizations Need to Do
A good bonfire needs the right materials: a mix of tinder, kindling, and logs. Each has a role, just like different approaches are needed to truly engage young volunteers.
1. Tinder: The First Spark (Onboarding and Accessibility)
You can’t light a fire with a wet log—you need dry, easy-to-light tinder. Similarly, organizations need to make volunteering accessible and appealing.
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Micro-volunteering: Short, flexible opportunities allow youth to get involved without a huge time commitment.
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Virtual roles: 45% of youth say online volunteering would make them more likely to participate (Volunteer Canada).
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No gatekeeping: If your sign-up process feels like a job application, you’re losing people before they even start.
2. Kindling: The Growth Stage (Skill-Building & Impact)
Kindling gets the fire going—it sustains the flame. If young people don’t see how their work makes an impact or helps them grow, they’ll leave.
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Mentorship programs: Youth want to learn. Pairing them with experienced leaders adds meaning to their work.
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Skill-based volunteering: 68% of young volunteers want opportunities that build their professional skills (Deloitte Global Millennial Survey).
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Real decision-making power: Give youth seats at the table. Let them lead projects, shape initiatives, and have a voice.
3. Logs: Long-Term Engagement (Recognition & Leadership Paths)
The logs are what keep the fire burning all night. If we want youth to stay engaged, we need to give them something lasting.
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Authentic recognition: Not just a certificate—showcase their work, highlight their impact, and pay them when possible.
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Pathways to leadership: If volunteering is a dead-end, they’ll move on. Show them how they can grow within the organization.
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Community, not obligation: People return to bonfires because of the warmth, not because they’re forced to. Volunteering should feel like that too.
The Call to Action: Keep the Fire Burning
Youth aren’t disengaged. They’re just waiting for organizations to light the fire the right way. If we build the right conditions—accessibility, skill development, real impact, and leadership opportunities—volunteerism won’t just survive. It’ll burn brighter than ever.
The question is: Will your organization tend the fire, or let it fizzle out?