Enaida Alispahić with Down syndrome is supporting UNDP's ReLOaD2 project

Despite the different understandings of society, people born with Down syndrome can perform various duties in order to integrate more efficiently into society. Two young people engaged as United Nations Volunteers as part of the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) are the proof.

Collaborating with people with Down syndrome is very rare or almost never happens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Non-governmental organizations estimate that slightly more than a thousand people with Down syndrome live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while only three to four of them are permanently employed.

Standing up for gender equality through Online Volunteering

Each year, starting from 25 November, we mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. Witnessing a severe gender disparity, UN Women in Tajikistan is working towards achieving gender equality, setting global standards and ensuring that each and every woman and girl benefit from them. To support their cause, two Online Volunteers engaged through UNV collaborated with UN Women, bringing additional resources to the team.

In 2022, UN Women conducted an ethnographic review of harmful social norms and practices and support for mass advocacy initiatives to prevent violence against women and girls in the country. This mapped both harmful and positive practices, attitudes and behaviours that influence violence against women and girls.

Online Volunteers with UNDP raise awareness of HIV, health and development issues

Health inequalities arise through social, economic and environmental determinants. By underlining health as a driver and outcome of development, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to helping countries address major health challenges. To improve health outcomes and promote global awareness and engagement in critical health initiatives, UNDP HIV, Health and Development in Türkiye has collaborated with over two hundred Online Volunteers over the past two years.

"Our team specializes in the development of investment cases for health, spanning non-communicable diseases, tobacco and alcohol control, air pollution, primary health care, health tax revenue and road safety," states Luis D'Souza, Policy Analyst with UNDP HIV, Health and Development, Türkiye.

Support the emergency response to the crisis in the State of Palestine as a volunteer 

Supporting land restoration and preservation through Online Volunteering with UNCCD

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is developing a global Land Restoration Information Hub which comprises a wide range of data sets on land and habitat restoration. To collect substantial data at local and global level, 126 Online Volunteers engaged through UNV served with UNCCD headquarters in Germany since March 2023. Hamid, Nicole and Vanessa are three of the Online Volunteers who supported UNCCD’s efforts with their skills and collaboration.

As we are leaving the third year of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration behind us, UNCCD is introducing innovative ways to combat climate change and its effects. Keeping technological developments in focus, the Land Restoration Information Hub aims to provide easy access to information and encourage collaboration and engagement by collecting data and best practices on one platform.