Youth Participation in Environmental Volunteerism and Its Role in Sustainable Development

Abstract

This study investigates the motivations behind Malaysian youth participation in environmental volunteerism and evaluates its economic value. Using survey data from 180 volunteers across urban and rural areas, five motivational domains were assessed: ecological concern, environmental values, career development, social responsibility, and personal growth. Structural equation modeling (Smart PLS) identified ecological concern, environmental values, and career development as significant predictors of youth volunteerism. Ecological and environmental factors were most influential, while social responsibility and personal growth were not. These findings highlight the civic and economic value of youth engagement, supporting integration into national youth development policies.