Legislative principles of organizing volunteer activities in the sphere of social protection

Abstract

Abstract. The article analyzes the research of Ukrainian scientists and reveals that various aspects of the development of the volunteer movement in Ukraine are being studied, and at the same time, there is a need to generalize the activities of volunteer initiatives in the field of social protection. The purpose of the article is to carry out an analysis of the regulatory and legal support of volunteer activities in Ukraine regarding social services for vulnerable categories of citizens. Research methods are studying the materials of the official websites of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the National Social Service Organization of Ukraine, related to the activities of volunteer organizations in Ukraine. It was found that volunteer organizations are among the entities providing social services. Their activities are aimed at helping people overcome difficult life circumstances, minimize the consequences of such life circumstances, and draw society's attention through educational activities to the needs of vulnerable categories of citizens. Volunteer activity at the state level is supported not only by the existence of specific legislation, but also by the inclusion of volunteer organizations in the Register of Social Service Providers and the National Social Service Organization of Ukraine.  Among the areas of activity, the Ministry of Social Policy envisages support of the volunteer movement, as well as its coordination through the formation of the Council for Coordination of Work on Providing Volunteer and Charitable Assistance. Among the main directions of state policy in the field of providing social services there is involvement of public associations, charitable and religious organizations. An important sign of the sustainability of civil society is functioning of civil society institutions, through which citizens and social groups ensure self-organization, representation, realization and protection of rights and interests. Civil society is the expression and defender of the interests and aspirations of various social groups and citizens. Civil society can make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the state by providing social services. Prospects for further research are the study of foreign legislation of European countries regarding volunteering, the analysis of local documents and social programs of individual communities on the support of volunteer organizations, the generalization of their experience in social protection of vulnerable categories of citizens