The data of the ViCE Initiative, collected through a listening study methodology, sheds new light on the experiences and challenges faced by local volunteers, and the strategies and mechanisms they develop and adopt to cope with increased risks and vulnerabilities, amid weakened institutional support systems. The findings offer greater understanding of local volunteering in conflicts and emergencies, the changing nature of humanitarianism in contemporary conflicts and emergency settings, and the multiple and overlapping roles of local volunteers as humanitarian and development actors in their own communities.
The research provides a body of knowledge to support and facilitate a volunteer-led approach towards protecting, promoting and recognising local volunteers working in conflicts and emergencies. The papers have been written with the purpose to contribute to a dialogue between academics, practitioners, policy makers, volunteers and other stakeholders.