Volunteering is a cornerstone of civil society, yet its legal formalization is often overlooked. Georgian legislation clearly distinguishes volunteering from employment relationships. Incorrectly documented volunteering can be considered hidden employment, leading to tax penalties and labor disputes. On the other hand, the vulnerability of volunteers creates risks for both the volunteer (e.g., regarding safety) and the organization (e.g., leakage of confidential information). The "Law on Volunteering" establishes the obligations of the "host organization" and the rights of the volunteer, including rules for expense reimbursement. Therefore, a written agreement is essential for relationship transparency and the protection of both parties.
The volunteer agreement service includes preparing all necessary documents to legally manage a volunteer program. Specialists ensure:
- Drafting a volunteer agreement that clearly states the gratuitous nature of the activity;
- Outlining mechanisms for reimbursing expenses (transportation, food, travel) in compliance with tax legislation;
- Integrating labor safety norms into the agreement;
- Drafting confidentiality and intellectual property protection clauses (if the volunteer creates materials for the organization);
- Preparing parental consent forms for minor volunteers;
- Legally structuring the volunteer registration and tracking system.
The need for this service is particularly acute during large-scale events. For example, during an environmental campaign, an organization invites 100 volunteers for cleanup — it is essential to brief them on safety and define liability in case of an accident. Another example is an intern working in the office with access to beneficiary databases — in their case, a confidentiality agreement is critical. It is also common for an organization to reimburse a volunteer's travel expenses; if this is not properly documented, the tax authority may consider this amount as salary and impose income tax.
The legal framework relies on the "Law of Georgia on Volunteering," which defines the volunteer's status and the host organization's obligations. According to the law, volunteering is a voluntary and gratuitous activity. The "Labor Code of Georgia" prohibits replacing an employment relationship with volunteering to avoid taxes. The "Tax Code of Georgia" establishes that reimbursement of volunteer expenses (food, transport, accommodation) is not considered taxable income if it does not exceed established limits. A lawyer helps you correctly interpret and apply these norms.
The process involves auditing the organization's volunteer program. The lawyer clarifies: What type of work do volunteers do? Are there risks? Following this, an agreement template and consent forms are prepared. Special attention is paid to foreign volunteers, as their status may affect visa regulations. With the help of a specialist on Legal.ge, you can direct volunteers' energy toward good deeds without unnecessary bureaucratic and legal risks.
Legal.ge is the ideal platform for finding lawyers in the non-profit sector. Volunteering is a two-way process — protect your organization and respect your volunteers' rights with professionally drafted agreements. Find a specialist on Legal.ge and manage volunteer resources effectively.
Updated: ...