Önkéntes Központ Alapítvány

Budapest, Budapest, 1137 Hungary

Mission Statement

„Volunteering to Tackle Loneliness” Volunteering Hungary (ÖKA) promotes the mental and physical well-being of senior members of society through volunteering and the support of dedicated volunteers. Our partner companies back our social impact programs that focus on the senior members of society. In Hungary, more than 900,000 elderly people live alone. Loneliness at any age can lead to serious mental and physical health issues—but for seniors, it can also result in significant challenges in everyday life. Providing companionship Our volunteers regularly visit elderly people living alone. Their presence helps ease feelings of isolation. „We build personal connections so that seniors can regain their zest for life and feel part of the world around them.” (Volunteer of the Friends of the Elderly Program) Building community We support seniors in stepping out of isolation and create a welcoming, supportive community for our volunteers as well. "Loneliness is a terrible state. Many people live alone, feeling useless, often confined to their homes because of their health conditions. Our goal is to help them experience a more dignified and fulfilling old age." (Katalin Villányi, group leader of the District II volunteer team) Organizing programs We facilitate meaningful connections and friendships—across both the corporate and civil sectors—by organizing programs that engage and unite people. "This program has brought me many pleasant surprises: I have met kind and helpful people, as well as others facing similar situations. I have found great joy in our time together. It’s truly heartwarming to know there are still selfless people who genuinely care—like the volunteers and the companies supporting the program.” (Katalin Filusné Pleskó, beneficiary)

About This Cause

Volunteering Hungary (ÖKA) was established in 2001 with the mission of promoting volunteering across Hungary. Since then, we have played a key role in raising awareness of volunteering nationwide, providing training to numerous NGOs, and developing a countrywide network of volunteer centers. In addition to encouraging individual volunteering, we began organizing charity team-building events for corporate partners 18 years ago. With over 700 CSR events and more than 30,000 corporate volunteers, we remain committed to supporting both hands-on and skills-based volunteering. Our Pro Bono Marathon programs—where corporate professionals mentor NGOs in specific fields—are growing in popularity, offering a meaningful way for experts to contribute their knowledge to support the civil sector. We also maintain a strong network of international relationships to expand our knowledge of best practices and foster regional and global cooperation. Our international partners include Points of Light (USA), the Centre for European Volunteering (Belgium), and the Global Pro Bono Network (worldwide). Our mission is to tackle loneliness through volunteering—with the help of dedicated volunteers who bring people together and strengthen communities.

Önkéntes Központ Alapítvány
Katona József Utca 39. Iv/22/A.
Budapest, Budapest 1137
Hungary
Phone +36702133458
Unique Identifier 5869958183740_915e