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Civic Engagement and Volunteering
Why do people choose to volunteer, and how are patterns of civic engagement changing over time? My research examines the extent, drivers and conditions of volunteering and civic engagement in Sweden.
Using recurring population surveys, I study developments in volunteering over several decades. The research reveals both remarkable stability and important changes: many people continue to contribute their time and effort, but participation is unevenly distributed and the conditions for engagement differ across social groups, organizations and places.
I am particularly interested in the resources, social networks and organizational contexts that enable civic participation.
The research combines long-term continuity and change in Swedish volunteering with the broader question of what civic engagement does for individuals and society.
4 selected studies
- ReportCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Många bidrar, få orkar bära: Ideellt arbete i Sverige 1992–2024
2025Lundberg, E., Henrekson, E., & von Essen, J.Marie Cederschiöld högskola, Arbetsrapport nr 123
How has Swedes' voluntary work changed over the past three decades? The report shows a striking stability: around half of the population still does voluntary work. At the same time, engagement is unevenly distributed – many contribute, but a smaller group carries a large share of the work. The results also show how access to resources and social networks affects who gets engaged.
- ReportCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Från omsorg och givande till politisk röst: Det medborgerliga engagemangets uttryck och förändring i det svenska samhället 1992–2024
2025Lundberg, E., von Essen, J., Henrekson, E., & Jegermalm, M.Marie Cederschiöld högskola, Arbetsrapport nr 132
Civic engagement takes many different forms – from helping others and giving money to trying to influence societal development politically. The study shows both continuity and change in these forms of engagement between 1992 and 2024. At the same time, engagement is unevenly distributed and relates to, among other things, people's resources, values and confidence in their own ability to make a difference. The report thus paints a broader picture of how people participate in and contribute to society than what emerges from studying membership or voluntary work alone.
- Peer-reviewed articleCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Volunteering in Sweden and the Discourse of Change: Historical Trends and Theoretical Explanations
2026von Essen, J., Henrekson, E., & Lundberg, E.Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
Despite recurring claims that civic engagement is weakening, the development in Sweden shows considerable continuity. By following voluntary work from 1992 to 2024, the study shows that its extent is surprisingly stable, while the forms and conditions for engagement change. The study thereby problematizes the picture of a general retreat from organized voluntary work.
- Book chapterCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Ideellt arbete och idrottsrörelsens utmaningar
2025Vamstad, J., von Essen, J., Lundberg, E., & Henrekson, E.I Norberg, J., Dartsch Nilsson, C., Wahlgren, L. & Pihlblad, J. (red.), Jag ställer upp! Om framtiden för ett ideellt idrottsengagemang under press. Centrum för idrottsforskning 2025:3
Voluntary work is a fundamental resource for Swedish sport, but what challenges does it face? The chapter identifies several changes that may affect the sports movement's ability to recruit and retain volunteers, including social inequality, professionalization, an aging population and changed notions of civic responsibility. The results show that the question is not only about how many people get engaged, but also who does the work and under what conditions.
Related publications
- Peer-reviewed articleYouth Political Socialization and ParticipationCivic Engagement and Volunteering
The role of youth extracurricular activities and political intentions in later political participation and civic engagement
2025Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A.Journal of Adolescence
- Peer-reviewed articleTrust, Tolerance and Democratic ValuesCivic Engagement and VolunteeringYouth Political Socialization and Participation
Time matters: civic engagement and the development of anti-immigrant attitudes among adolescents
2022Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A.Acta Politica
- BookCivil Society, Organization and DemocracyCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Civilsamhället i demokratin
2026Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A.Lund: Studentlitteratur
- Book chapterCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Idealitet i idrottsrörelsen då och nu
2025Vamstad, J., von Essen, J., Henrekson, E., & Lundberg, E.I Norberg, J., Dartsch Nilsson, C., Wahlgren, L. & Pihlblad, J. (red.), Jag ställer upp! Om framtiden för ett ideellt idrottsengagemang under press. Centrum för idrottsforskning 2025:3
- Book chapterTrust, Tolerance and Democratic ValuesCivic Engagement and VolunteeringYouth Political Socialization and Participation
A school of tolerance? Participation in associations and youth tolerance
2017Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A.In Lundberg, E. (Ed.), Mechanisms of tolerance: an anthology. Stockholm: The Living History Forum
- Book chapterTrust, Tolerance and Democratic ValuesCivic Engagement and Volunteering
En arena för tillit och tolerans?
2016Abdelzadeh, A., Amnå, E., & Lundberg, E.I Dartsch, C., Norberg, J. R. & Pihlblad, J. (red.), Föreningen, laget och jaget: 7 perspektiv på idrottens demokratiska effekter. Stockholm: Centrum för idrottsforskning
- ReportTrust, Tolerance and Democratic ValuesCivic Engagement and Volunteering
Kan ett engagemang i civilsamhället motverka intolerans mot personer med utländsk bakgrund?
2020Lundberg, E.Stockholm: Myndigheten för ungdoms- och civilsamhällesfrågor
Related research notes
- Own researchExample note: briefly on a new report of my own