The past 10 years has been filled with an ambition to encourage the non- profit sector to become a producer of welfare services by making it easier to apply for financial aid and co-operation. Non-profit labour is described as a force that is not driven by financial gains but with the purpose to contribute to the overall welfare of the citizens. Many studies have so far tried to understand the underlying motives behind non-profit labour and its structure historically but what effect has social relationships on the emergence of civic engagement and what kind of resources are necessary to enter the third sector? The main purpose of this study is to contribute to previous studies made in the field of non-profit-labour by further investigating the importance of social relationships for the entrance to the third sector and the requirements to get involved in a non-profit organization. This study is based on 16 interviews made with individuals who are currently engaged in a non-profit organization. The material was analyzed by Mark Granovetters theory based on the strength of weak ties and Pierre Bourdieu theory onfields, habitus and capital. The theories made it possible to highlight and understand the importance of different relationships in the development of civic engagement and the informal requirements that create thresholds. 


The main conclusions of this study is that distant friendships contribute to spontaneous civic engagement while close relationships with relatives encourage civic engagement in specific organizations that have a meaning, purpose and connection to the family. The findings of this study further indicates that informal thresholds exist to get involved in the third sector. The participants have experienced competition in the field with other organizations to gain financial resources and to initiate innovative projects to deserve these resources. To be able to engage in a non-profit organization the participants are not only expected to have specific values and a specific force. Participants of the third sector value differents resources over others. Resources such as academic knowledge, personal experience and insight are highly valued and seen as legitimate by peers in the same field.