To serve or to earn? Motivation, benefits, challenges, and promotion in non-governmental organizations in the youth sector

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the youth sector play a crucial role in prevention, support for vulnerable groups, and raising aware­ness of societal issues. Alongside volunteers, they require permanent employees to sustain their operations. Given the lack of studies on the experiences of NGO employees and the promotion of such employment, particularly in Slovenia, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study to examine key motivators for em­ployment in NGOs, the benefits and challenges of such work, and strategies for promoting NGO careers among young people. Seven full-time staff and seven student volunteers from a range of NGOs were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation, such as a prosocial mission and learning opportunities, dominates in both groups. Em­ployees value autonomy, flexibility, and a supportive work environment, while volunteers emphasize the importance of mentorship, gaining experience, and positive relationships between employees and volunteers. Key challenges include financial insecurity, limited advancement opportunities, heavy workloads, and burnout risks. While participants acknowledged the significant contributions of young staff to NGOs, volunteers often see NGO employment as short-term or a stepping stone. Effective promotion of NGO careers combines direct engagement (e.g., workshops, presentations, personal stories) and digital channels. Addi­tionally, existing volunteers represent a valuable pool for potential employment within NGOs. This study enhances understanding of NGOs in Slovenia and provides a basis for improving working conditions and career appeal. Find­ings are valuable for recruitment strategies, youth work promotion, and systemic changes to ensure NGOs’ stability and growth.