We are recruiting volunteers to serve as organizers for the school festival.
Interested students gathered and carried out a cleanup activity.
このプロジェクトは有志の協力で成り立っている。
This project is sustained by the cooperation of volunteers.
Many volunteers gathered for the neighborhood cleanup activity.
A fundraising campaign organized by volunteers has begun.
志願者 refers to someone who formally applies or volunteers for a specific position or task, while 有志 is broader, describing anyone who joins an activity of their own accord.
賛同者 highlights someone who agrees with and supports an idea, whereas 有志 focuses on the voluntary act of participation itself.
同志 means a comrade who shares the same cause or goal, while 有志 means someone who voluntarily participates, and the two are easily confused because of the shared 志 kanji.
voluntary organization; volunteer group
Composed of 有 (possess, exist) and 志 (will, intention), literally meaning 'having will'. The word has been used in Japanese to refer to those who act voluntarily.