The United Nations Volunteers’ flagship publication, the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, released its latest edition in December, unveiling the Global Index of Volunteer Engagement (GIVE)—a new compass for understanding how people give their time and spirit to the world. Its arrival has sparked conversations far beyond traditional volunteerism circles, prompting both cautious reflection and heartfelt celebration.
Of the conversations that have unfolded, I have heard voices of wonder and hesitation alike: How can volunteerism be measured when its very essence is fluid and human? Why quantify something so deeply intrinsic, so rooted in the quiet generosity of the heart? And who, after all, seeks such data?
Yet even amidst the questions, praise has echoed from every corner, carried by relief that at last, it is here.
We finally have a credible point of reference when asked about the real and potential contributions of volunteerism to development an anchor long awaited, freeing us from years of relying solely on anecdotes and offering a tangible lens through which the world can better understand the power of voluntary action.
From the ongoing conversations, the story of GIVE begins with an ambition both bold and long overdue: to bring structure, clarity, and coherence to the way the world understands the contribution of volunteerism to development. And from its very framework, GIVE seeks to systematize how data on voluntary action is gathered, analyzed, and presented, so that the quiet labour of millions may finally be seen with greater clarity.
It goes without saying that for decades, society has recognized volunteers as a vital force in enhancing communities, promoting healthier societies, and fortifying more resilient nations. Their generosity, commitment of time, and indomitable spirit have been widely praised. However, despite this recognition, one fundamental truth remained: a comprehensive understanding of their full scope of contributions had yet to be known.
While volunteers have received accolades, their impact has not been effectively quantified. Anecdotal evidence has often sufficed in place of the rigorous data required to substantiate their contributions. Furthermore, volunteerism has frequently been regarded as a supplementary asset rather than being recognized as a strategic component essential for development.
Reading the Report titled Volunteerism and its Measurements helped me locate GIVE within the larger puzzle. To me, it arrived at exactly the right moment—if anything, later than it should have. It affirms a crucial shift: volunteerism is not just an expression of goodwill, but a global phenomenon—a powerful force that delivers measurable impact across communities, economies, and industries.
Based on research presented in the Report, a few countries have attempted to measure the contribution of volunteerism; these efforts have often been constrained by limited mechanisms for capturing the full spectrum of volunteer work. Most assessments have focused narrowly on formal volunteering, overlooking the vast and meaningful contributions made through informal support within families, communities, and neighbourhoods. As a result, global data on volunteerism has remained inconsistent, sporadic, and frequently outdated.
Outlined in the Report, GIVE offers a timely response to this gap. It introduces a standardized, globally comparable approach to understanding volunteer engagement—one that captures the breadth, depth, and diversity of voluntary action across contexts. In doing so, it lays the foundation for more accurate, inclusive, and actionable insights into the true value of volunteerism.
For the first time, the global community has a tool that captures the full societal value of volunteering. Moving beyond basic participation metrics—such as volunteer numbers and hours contributed—GIVE provides a holistic assessment of volunteering’s impact on individual well-being, social cohesion, community resilience, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
By casting a statistical frame around volunteerism, GIVE deepens our understanding of how people give, why they do so, and what it means for societies facing uncertainty, inequality, and rapid change. It marks a long‑overdue recognition of volunteerism as a powerful form of civic engagement—often quiet, informal, and uncompensated, yet essential to social cohesion and resilience.
At the same time, it challenges governments, development partners, and communities to rethink how this vital human activity is valued, supported, and sustained.
For those interested in exploring this shift further, the 2026 State of the World's Volunteerism Report examines GIVE in detail in Chapter Seven.
