Online Volunteering is rewriting the rules of engagement in Zambia—connecting global expertise with local needs to build a more inclusive digital future. From coding tutorials in rural communities to creative campaigns that amplify cultural pride, this movement shows that collaboration doesn’t need borders—it just needs purpose. This is made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). From Iran to Peru and Guinea to Greece, skilled professionals—and those within Zambia—are contributing remotely to advance Zambia’s development priorities.
March 2025 — Igniting change through youth
The story begins in March 2025, when Zambia marked National Youth Week and the National Youth Indaba under the theme “Voices Amplified; Innovation Ignited.” Across the country, young people showcased creativity, debated policy ideas, and championed innovation. To give these national celebrations a unified and vibrant identity, 50 Online Volunteers from 23 countries were recruited through UNV. Working remotely, they designed everything from posters and banners to T-shirts and social-media graphics, giving the week a consistent visual language and wider reach. These Online Volunteers brought the voice of youth to the forefront—local dialogues turned into national conversations—and set the tone for a year in which volunteerism would increasingly move online and scale up impact.
June 2025 — Opening doors via creativity
By midyear, Zambia’s creative spirit was on full display at the Creative Industries Business Summit (CIBS 2025), held from 25–28 June in Lusaka. The summit aimed to unlock new pathways for cultural entrepreneurship, helping artists, designers, and innovators see themselves as part of the country’s economic engine. To support the effort, 400 Online Volunteers from 32 countries worked hand in hand with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and UNV. They developed vibrant communication materials, managed social media campaigns, and created digital spaces where creativity and commerce could meet.
“The volunteers helped us tell Zambia’s creative story in new ways—fresh, digital, and global,” shared Esther Ngambi, Director of Arts at the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. “Their work gave our young innovators visibility and confidence. It wasn’t just about one summit—it was about opening doors for Zambia’s creative economy.”
Among the Online Volunteers was Sylvia Mwenda, who began designing digital content online before joining the on-site team in Lusaka. “I started out creating content behind a screen,” Sylvia recalls. “But being part of the Summit showed me how something I did online could bring people together in real life. It made me realize that impact doesn’t need borders.”
August 2025 — Celebrating arts and culture
In August 2025, the Government of Zambia engaged more Online Volunteers to support the Kwimbo National Arts Festival from 28–31 August 2025 in Lusaka. The Festival celebrated Zambian art, performance and identity under the theme “The Arts Live Here.” Online Volunteers supported digital promotion, curating posts, and connecting audiences nationwide. Their work gave the festival a vibrant online presence that reached far beyond Zambia, showing how creativity, digital storytelling, and volunteerism can come together to celebrate and strengthen national pride.
“Your dedication played a key role in the event’s success, both within Zambia and internationally,” said Esther Ngambi, praising the contribution of Online Volunteers. “The model of online volunteering has shown us how technology can democratize participation in national development. It brings global expertise to local problems—instantly and effectively.”
September 2025 — Empowering communities to get digital
Beyond the bright lights of Lusaka, another transformation was underway. In September 2025, the Government of Zambia, supported by UNDP and UNV, launched a Digital Literacy Initiative to empower youth in rural areas. By installing 23 Starlink internet kits across 8 Youth Resource Centers, communities once cut off from the digital world are now connected to endless opportunities. To help facilitate, 10 Online Volunteers gave virtual training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and online safety. From coding tutorials to e-commerce basics, they helped rural youth gain practical skills to thrive online—and imagine new possibilities for their future. For many, this was their first step into Zambia’s digital economy—opening doors to start businesses, reach online markets, and join the growing digital workforce.
December 2025 — Spotlighting Ngoma
As 2025 draws to a close, the spotlight turns to the 20th Ngoma Regional Awards, set for December 2025. Long regarded as Zambia’s premier platform for artistic excellence, this year’s edition is expanding into a regional showcase for Southern Africa. Online volunteers are once again at the heart of the preparations—crafting digital campaigns, promoting artists’ work, and building anticipation across 16 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Their contribution captures what has defined Zambia’s 2025 journey: creativity, collaboration, and connection—woven together through the spirit of volunteerism.
Online Volunteer, Sylvia Mwenda, shares: “I may not always be in the same place as the people I support, but I know the work we do together is helping shape Zambia’s future.”
Where borders disappear and opportunities multiply
Online Volunteering is more than a digital trend—it’s helping power Zambia's progress. Together—local communities, volunteers, and institutions are not just building a more inclusive digital future; they are shaping a world where everyone has a role in progress.