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The thesis describes the economic context of the face masks sewing initiative in the Czech Republic (the prompt and extensive help of volunteers with tackling the face masks' shortage during the COVID-19 pandemics) and attempts to estimate its economic value. Even in the most conservative scenario that assumes efficacy of face masks to be only 8 %, the results suggest that the initiative still created lower units of billions CZK in economic value as a result of contributing to the prevention of 6,290 - 18,825 infections, 1,006 - 3,012 hospitalizations and 95 - 284 deaths only within the first month. If we assume 20 % masks efficacy, the initiative's value equals to 1 - 9 % of the Czech monthly GDP .

This diploma thesis is dealing with the topic of motivation of Czech volunteers focused on the development of Third World countries. The main aim of this thesis is to answer two research questions: What are the motivating factors of volunteers for joining a volunteer program in these countries and what motivates volunteers to choose concrete country to volunteer into? Theoretical part of this paper works with various theoretical concepts of motivation which are further described and analyzed. Functional approach to motivation of volunteers is the main concept used to analyze the factors that motivate volunteers the most to participate in volunteering activities focused on development in Third World countries and also factors that work as primary motivation when selecting a specific country. To identify these factors online survey was conducted. Results of the survey were elaborated within the practical part of the thesis. For the assessment of acquired data collected via online survey were concretely used a Volunteer Functions Inventory developed by Clary and Snyder. Given the fact that the thesis is based on quantitative research, it is trying to catch variety of phenomenon connected with motivation of Czech volunteers who already have previous experience with volunteering activities in Third World countries as well as those who are interested in engaging in similar projects in the future. Evaluated data are further used for formulation of specific recommendations for future practice in this area.

The aim of this thesis is to test and consequently disprove or confirm the hypothesis that with the large influx of immigrants to Canada, volunteerism might not be able to survive in its present form. In the theoretical part of the work focus has been set on term definition and volunteering classification because it is a structured activity with its own rules and policy. History of volunteering has been described in the following chapter. This part goes beyond the history of volunteering in Canada since it is a deeply rooted Anglo-Saxon tradition which had been brought there by the British and French. The last chapter has been dedicated to the current situation of volunteering in Canada including a profile of a volunteer and possible current threats. The practical part has been based on a survey conducted among York University community members and an analysis of their answers. This survey became, together with my visit to the 2011 Toronto Volunteer Fair and an in-depth interview, the main source for the comparison of practice and theory.