The Perception of the Dynamics of Associative Life in Romania: A Qualitative Study

International surveys have emphasized a series of reasons why citizens decide to become involved in social activities, e.g. the desire for personal development or the acquirement of positive social identity. In addition, civic engagement can be considered as a means of meeting certain fundamental needs: self-esteem, self-realization, or recognition from others. The present study reveals a part of the results of a qualitative survey on members of different non-governmental associations in Iasi. The interviews were aimed at highlighting the main reasons why youngsters decide to engage in associative activity and carry out voluntary activities, as well as the factors that hamper their participation in such activities. Thus, the interviews have highlighted the main benefits of volunteering, e.g. the perceived desire for professional improvement and volunteering as a means of socialization, but also the fact that associations and voluntary organizations lack the strategies to attract new members, against the background of a non-existent civic sense characterizing a particular category of youngsters in Romania.