The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, also referred to as IVY 2026, placing volunteering firmly in focus as a vital part of social, economic and environmental progress worldwide.
The announcement, led by UN Volunteers, marks a global moment of recognition for volunteer action in all its forms — from organised programmes to informal community support. The International Year will officially begin on 5 December 2025, International Volunteer Day, and continue throughout 2026.
Why the International Volunteer Year matters
Volunteering is already a significant force globally. According to UN Volunteers, around one billion people worldwide engage in volunteer activities, with the majority contributing informally through their communities, families and local networks.
IVY 2026 brings this often unseen contribution into clearer public view. Its purpose is not to redefine volunteering, but to recognise its value, strengthen the conditions in which it takes place, and ensure that volunteer contributions are better understood and supported.
The International Year highlights that volunteering supports sustainable development across many areas — including education, health, social inclusion, environmental protection and crisis response — while also strengthening trust, solidarity and community resilience.
What IVY 2026 focuses on
A central message of IVY 2026 is that all forms of volunteering matter. Formal and informal, local and digital, long-term and spontaneous — each plays a role in supporting communities and responding to change.
Another key focus is accessibility. UN Volunteers emphasise the importance of removing barriers that prevent people from volunteering, so participation is open to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
The International Year also places greater attention on recognising volunteer impact — not only through stories, but through better data and evidence that help decision-makers understand how volunteering contributes to sustainable development in practice.
IVY 2026 and Ireland
In Ireland, Volunteer Ireland has been named National Lead for the International Volunteer Year 2026. This reflects Ireland’s established volunteering infrastructure and provides a national framework for marking the year.
Alongside national activity, volunteer centres and organisations across the country continue their everyday work at community level — supporting volunteers, responding to local needs and creating opportunities for people to get involved.
Looking ahead
The International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development provides a shared global moment to recognise the contribution of volunteers and to strengthen how volunteering is supported in the years ahead.
