Youth Participation in Environmental Volunteerism and Its Role in Sustainable Development

Abstract

Youth engagement in environmental volunteerism has become an increasingly critical component in addressing global sustainability goals, especially in emerging economies such as Malaysia, where environmental challenges, youth underemployment, and civic participation intersect. Despite its growing importance, limited empirical research has explored the motivational underpinnings and economic contributions of youth environmental volunteerism in the Malaysian context. This study aims to investigate the motivations driving Malaysian youths to participate in environmental volunteer initiatives and to quantify the economic value of their voluntary contributions. The objectives are to identify key motivational constructs, determine demographic influences on engagement levels, and estimate the economic value of youth volunteer labor in environmental programs. Additionally, this research seeks to align its findings with national youth development frameworks, particularly the Malaysian Youth Index (MYI), which measures quality of life and well-being among Malaysian youth across dimensions such as environmental awareness, social responsibility, and personal development. A survey data from 180 youth volunteers across urban and rural regions in Malaysia were used. The survey instrument examined five motivational domains including ecological concern, environmental values, career development, social responsibility, and personal growth while controlling demographic variables including education level, income, and locality. Structural equation modeling (Smart PLS) was used to identify the most significant predictors of participation. Findings reveal that ecological and environmental values are the most influential drivers of youth engagement, with career-oriented motivations particularly significant among urban and tertiary-educated participants. The economic analysis demonstrates that youth volunteerism contributes meaningful cost savings in environmental protection. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and the possibility of regional sampling bias, which may restrict broader generalizability. The study reveals the dual role of youth environmental volunteerism as both a stimulus for ecology and a contributor to national economic and social resilience. Policy recommendations include integrating structured volunteer programs into education and employment systems and recognizing environmental volunteerism as a strategic investment in youth development and sustainable nation-building.