The Code of Good Practice was launched in 2005, and since then, it has helped to shape the Irish international volunteering sector into a strong, peer-led community of practice. It has also influenced international policy and practice, including the Global Volunteer Standard and the European Solidarity Corps’ Humanitarian Aid Volunteering programme. As a living document, the Code is continually revised and updated.

The 2024 Comhlámh Code of Good Practice Edition

The 2024 edition of the Code is informed by collaborations between Comhlámh, Volunteer Sending Agencies and partners from across civil society, in Ireland and in the Global South. It has been developed during a time of vast change and upheaval across the world. The international volunteering sector was significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in cancelled programmes, the closure of some organisations, and a recognition of the need to reexamine ways of working. Alongside many challenges, this enforced pause in our work provided space for shared reflection on the drivers of unsustainability, the need for radical change, and increased recognition of the need for mutually supportive relationships that recognise the interconnectedness and interdependence of people and the planet.