2026 International Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. This milestone—achieved through the collaboration of Member States of the General Assembly—offers an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and their contributions on a global stage. 

"As we look ahead to the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development in 2026, let's acknowledge the vital role of volunteers as change-makers who weave through the fabric of the 2030 Agenda, helping to accelerate action in the second half of our journey. Their commitment shapes a world where sustainable development is not merely a goal but a shared reality we create together,” said Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.

Key Messages

1. Volunteerism is a driving force for sustainable development. The designation of 2026 as the International Volunteer Year underscores the vital role volunteers play in advancing the global goals. By fostering community engagement and collective action, volunteering contributes meaningfully to humanitarian efforts and long-term development.
2. Volunteerism is a powerful enabler of humanitarian action. Volunteers play a vital role in responding to humanitarian emergencies and driving progress toward a more resilient world.
3.  Everyone has a role to play in the International Volunteer Year 2026. Governments, UN entities, other regional and international organizations, academia, and civil society and private sector are invited to actively participate in the year by recognizing the value of volunteers, integrating volunteering into policies and plans, ensuring safe and fair volunteering environments, and promoting knowledge-sharing to develop new forms of volunteering.
4. The International Volunteer Year 2026 strengthens the connection between volunteering and global progress. It aims to deepen global understanding of volunteerism through research, information-sharing, and education and to address emerging challenges that new models of volunteering are facing.
5. Valuing volunteers is vital. There is a need to recognize and measure the contribution of all volunteers, whether they’re part of an organization or helping informally.

Stay tuned to explore what Member States, United Nations organizations and other stakeholders, including civil society, private sector and academia are going to do to observe IVY 2026 → International Volunteer Year | Knowledge Portal on Volunteerism