2026 is the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. The UN is asking all partners to work together to demonstrate the importance of volunteers in building fair and sustainable communities and to recognise the powerful role of volunteering in driving progress towards the 2030 Agenda.
“IVY 2026 is a call to governments, organisations, and communities worldwide to champion volunteerism in all its forms—formal and informal, local and global—while fostering inclusive policies and ensuring volunteer contributions are recognised and measured.”
UN Volunteers
The Irish Launch of IVY 2026
On 5 December 2025, Comhlámh marked International Volunteer Day and celebrated the Irish launch of IVY 2026.
Volunteers, volunteer-sending agencies, policymakers, and civil society came together to explore how to strengthen values-led international volunteering through 2026 and beyond. We heard a keynote from Dr Chris Millora, Goldsmiths, University of London, on the IVY 2026 Global Insights Paper, along with contributions from James O’Brian, Global Volunteering Forum, Nina Arwitz, Volunteer Ireland), and Alaa Amro, Palestinian Service Civil International (SCI)/ VSI volunteer, followed by an in-depth capacity-building workshop on the intersection of volunteering and solidarity.
WATCH THE IVY 2026 LAUNCH VIDEO
A Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering
Following one of the widest global consultations ever held in the volunteering sector, the Global Volunteering Forum, IAVE, IFRC, UNICEF Generation Unlimited, and the Volunteer Groups Alliance co-created the Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering, leading up to the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).
This shared global agenda sets out how volunteering can be better recognised, supported, and safeguarded worldwide during IVY 2026 and beyond.
Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering
Built from a global survey and national, regional and global dialogues across 2025, the Call to Action reflects the perspectives of volunteers, organisations, governments, and the private sector. It outlines a shared agenda for change to create an enabling environment that recognises, supports, and protects volunteers.
Global Insights Paper: Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering
This Insights Paper, co-funded by Comhlámh, brings together the voices of nearly 14,000 volunteers and stakeholders across 164 countries, providing the evidence and analysis that underpin the Call and highlighting the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of volunteering.
Key Priorities from Ireland’s National Dialogue
As a part of the global dialogues on the future of volunteering, in partnership with Volunteer Ireland, Comhlám hosted a national dialogue in Ireland. We identified key points to feed into and shape the messages and priorities of a collective Call to Action.
IVY 2026: Get Involved
As part of IVY 2026, we are inviting anyone interested in international volunteering and global solidarity to deepen values-led, solidarity-based knowledge and practice. To get started, explore the Global Call to Action resources, dive into our Code of Good Practice, sign up for one (or more!) of our free online courses and engage with critical perspectives on international volunteering.
Code of Good Practice
Explore Comhlámh’s Code of Good Practice for Volunteer Sending Agencies, explore its principles and signatories, learn how to join the code and how to get involved.
Our Online Courses
Explore our user-friendly online resources and dive into various global topics at your own pace and from the comfort of your preferred space. Our materials are interactive and crafted to spark critical thinking.
International Volunteering
Access information, resources, and critical perspectives on international volunteering for those considering volunteering overseas.
Explore IVY 2026 Programme & Volunteer in Ireland
Volunteer Ireland has been named the national lead on International Volunteer Year in Ireland by the UN. Together with various stakeholders, they will deliver a programme of activities throughout the year. Check their website for updates, take the ‘Volunteer 26 Hours in 2026’ pledge and find local volunteering opportunities.
Get IVY 2026 Free Resources
Explore the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Trello board packed with IVY 2026 logos, GIFs, videos, key messages and other resources, freely available for everyone to use.
IVY 2026 & International Volunteering Updates
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