DevConf.IN 2025

Aditya Eknath Jadhav


Company or affiliation

MIT World Peace University

Job title

Student


Session

03-01
11:15
15min
Enhancing Volunteer Engagement: Solving the Mismatch in Skills and Opportunities
Aditya Eknath Jadhav

Connecting Volunteers with Meaningful Opportunities

Individuals eager to volunteer can easily find opportunities that align with their skills and passions through effective volunteer matching platform.

In this talk, I will delve into the systemic issues plaguing volunteer matching processes in India, where only 22% of firms offer volunteering time-off compared to 66% in the U.S. We will explore how inefficient matching leads to a staggering potential loss of ₹7,500 crore in socio-economic contributions, as millions of employees remain disengaged from meaningful volunteer work.

Current Landscape: An overview of volunteerism in India, highlighting barriers such as limited awareness, mismatched expectations, and geographic constraints.
Technological Solutions: Introduction to data-driven matching algorithms and online management systems that can enhance volunteer engagement.
Case Studies: Insights from successful models like Volunteer-Match and best practices derived from comprehensive literature reviews on volunteer governance.
Interactive Demonstration: A live demonstration of a prototype volunteer matching platform that showcases personalized recommendations and flexible options for volunteers.

Takeaways
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of:
The critical gaps in current volunteer matching processes and their implications for community engagement.
Practical strategies for organizations to improve their volunteer management systems.
Insights into how technology can bridge the gap between volunteers and opportunities, ultimately fostering a culture of active citizenship.
This talk is designed for corporate leaders, nonprofit managers, and anyone interested in enhancing community engagement through effective volunteerism. Join us to discover how we can collectively harness the power of volunteering to create meaningful change in society.

User Experience and Design Engineering
Swami Vivekananda Auditorium