Welcome!

This survey is being carried out within the framework of IMPACT (Integrating reMote Professionals for Action in Community Transformation), funded under the Erasmus+ Programme (Project # 2025-1-IE01-KA220-ADU-000363405).

The project partners, including the Community Enterprise Association Ireland (CEAI) are researching how people who work remotely might use their skills and expertise to support projects, community groups and social enterprises within their own local communities.

The survey contains 21 questions will take less than 10 minutes to complete and we will ask about your work, skills, and thoughts on volunteering. Your responses will help us design better opportunities and training for remote professionals to engage in local projects and initiatives for the benefit and betterment of communities across Ireland.

The survey is anonymous and your data will be used for research purposes only, and by proceeding you consent to participate.

Thank you for being willing to participate. Your input means a lot to us.

TEAM CEAI.

If you have any questions about this survey, you can contact the CEAI IMPACT Project Manager Rashmi Kulkarni by email to rashmi@ceai.ie

Section 1 of 4:

1.Remote Work Status: Do you currently hold a role that allows you to work remotely/away from the office e.g. home or hub based?

Yes, full-time remote

Yes, partially/hybrid remote

Not currently, but I have in the past

No, I do not work remotely

2.Do you work within:

The Public Sector (The public sector is the part of the economy that is owned or funded by the government to provide services for the benefit of society. It includes organisations like government departments, government agencies, public schools, public hospitals, and local authorities)

The Private Sector (The private sector is the part of the economy that is owned and operated by individuals or companies for profit)

The Third Sector (The third sector refers to non-profit and voluntary organisations that operate independently from the government and the private sector. It includes charities, NGOs, community groups, social enterprises, and cooperatives that aim to create social benefit rather than profit)

3.Profession/Industry: What is your primary field of work or profession? (Select closest match)

Consulting / Business Services

Design / Multimedia

Education / Training

Engineering / Technical

Finance / Accounting

Information Technology / Software

Marketing / Communications

Writing / Translation

Other (please specify)

4.Skills: Which of the following skill areas do you consider yourself competent in and could potentially offer to other organisations? (Select all that apply)

Compliance

Consulting/Business Planning/Strategy

Digital Marketing/Social Media

Event Planning/Community Engagement

Finance/Bookkeeping/Financial Management

Fundraising

Governance

Grant Writing

IT Support/Programming

Languages (translation, interpretation)

Legal

Mentoring/Career Development/Coaching

Project Management/Coordination

Research/Data analysis/Evaluation

Sustainability/Environmental Impact

Teaching/Training /Facilitation

Volunteer Management

Web/Graphic design/Branding

Writing/Editing/Storytelling

Other (please specify)

5.Remote Work Experience: How many years have you been working remotely?

Less than 1 year

1–2 years

3–5 years

More than 5 years

Other (please specify)

6.Location:

Ireland

Cyprus

Spain

Portugal

Germany

Other (please specify)

7.Location:

A city or large town

A small town

A rural area/village

Remote countryside

8.How long have you lived in your current community?

Less than 1 year

1–5 years

More than 5 years

I don’t live there currently (I’m nomadic/move frequently)

Section 2 of 4:

9.Have you ever volunteered your time or skills for any cause or nonprofit organisation?

Yes, in my professional skill area

Yes, but doing general tasks (unrelated to my professional skills)

No, I have not volunteered before

10.Are you currently involved in any community group, local initiative, or volunteering (outside of work)?

Yes, regularly

Yes, occasionally

Not at the moment

11.Motivations to Volunteer: How important are the following reasons for you, when considering volunteering your skills? (Rate each on a scale: 1=Not important, 5=Very important)

1

2

3

4

5

To contribute to a cause I care about.

1

2

3

4

5

To give back to my local community.

1

2

3

4

5

To meet new people and expand my network.

1

2

3

4

5

To learn or practice new skills.

1

2

3

4

5

For personal satisfaction or fulfillment.

1

2

3

4

5

To improve my CV or professional reputation.

1

2

3

4

5

To have a sense of purpose beyond my paid job.

1

2

3

4

5

12.Concerns/Barriers: What concerns might prevent you from volunteering your skills? (Select up to 3 that apply most)

I don’t have enough time to commit

I worry the experience might be frustrating or not well managed

I’m unsure how to find the right opportunity

I prefer to keep my professional skills for paid work only

I’m not confident my skills would be useful in a different context

I'm concerned about potential costs (travel, equipment, etc.)

My employer or clients might not support me/conflict of interest

I’ve had a previous bad experience volunteering

No significant concerns

Other (please specify)

13.How would you like to contribute your skills if you are to volunteer?

Entirely remotely (from my home via computer/phone)

Mostly remotely, with occasional in-person meetings or events

On-site locally, if the organisation is nearby

On a short-term basis (like a one-day workshop or a week-long project on-site) rather than ongoing

I’m open to either/both remote or in-person, depending on the situation

14.Time Willing to Commit: How much time could you realistically offer for volunteering your skills?

A few hours per week (e.g. 1-4 hours)

A few days per month (e.g. one day every other week)

Occasionally for short-term projects only (e.g. an intensive week or weekends here and there)

Uncertain – it would depend on the project and my schedule

15.Which types of causes or sectors would you be most interested in helping with your skills? (Select up to 3)

Agriculture and rural development

Any cause where my skills are needed – I’m flexible

Arts and culture

Community development and social enterprise

Education and youth

Environment and sustainability

Social services (health, poverty alleviation, etc.)

Technology and innovation for social good

Other (please specify)

16.Support Needed: What would make you more likely to volunteer your skills? (Select all that apply)

If I received some training/preparation for the volunteer role

If the volunteering schedule was very flexible

If I clearly saw the impact of my contribution

If there was an organised programme or platform making it easier to find opportunities

If I had a mentor or coordinator to guide me in the volunteer project

If I could volunteer as part of a team with others (not solo)

If expenses (travel, etc.) were covered

If I got recognition (certificates or public acknowledgment) for my work

Nothing in particular – I’m already quite willing

Other (please specify)

17.a) Previously: Have you ever looked for opportunities to volunteer your professional skills (e.g., on websites, through networks)?

Yes, I found opportunities easily and participated

Yes, I looked but it was hard to find a good match

Yes, I found something but it didn’t work out well

No, I never actively looked

18.If you had the opportunity to attend future training sessions, which skills or topics would you like to see covered?

19.If you had the opportunity to attend future training sessions, which skill or topic would you prefer them to cover?

Community engagement/Volunteer coordination

Financial management /Accounting

Fundraising/Grant writing

Graphic Design/Branding/Communications

Human Resources / People and Team Management

IT/Website/Tech support

Marketing/Social Media/Storytelling

Languages (Translation, Interpretation)

Legal/Compliance

Monitoring & Evaluation/Data Analysis

Operations/Process improvement

Strategic Planning/Business Development

Sustainability/Environmental Impact

Other (please specify)

Section 3 of 4:

20.In your opinion, what is the best way for remote professionals to contribute to rural communities or social enterprises? (Open-ended – feel free to share any ideas or comments.)

21.Contact (Optional): If you are interested in volunteering in the future or in participating in a follow-up interview for this research, you can provide your email below. (We will only use it to contact you about IMPACT project opportunities or research, and it will be kept confidential.)

End of survey.
Thank you for your response, we really do appreciate your time and input.
Your contribution will help us develop programmes that connect skilled professionals with impactful community projects.