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.

Oksana Vlasenko: "I'm sure everyone has understood that there's no point in just sitting and waiting"

Oksana Vlasenko, a young woman from Kyiv, has been living in Chișinău, Moldova, for more than four months. She is a UN Volunteer Refugee Support Associate within the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative, implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and financed by the European Union. In the interview below, Oksana shared from her life in Moldova and her experience serving in an international organization.

What does your assignment with UNDP mean to you?

To me, this assignment is an opportunity where you don't just serve for livelihood, but also to change people's lives as much as you can. I am aware that one person cannot do much, but I am convinced that the change starts within each of us. This is much easier to do when you are part of a team of professionals who share common values. I am fortunate, because both in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, I have very open-minded colleagues, who helped me to change my mindset.

"Through volunteering, we contribute to personal and community development"

Volunteering is an extremely important component for personal development. Through volunteering and helping others, individuals gain the opportunity to develop new skills, network and provide personal contributions to advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals within their communities.

The project sustaining peace and social cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina through enhanced inter-municipal and inter-entity cooperation on local services is implemented by UNDP in nine locations acorss the country. It engaged 18 UN Community Volunteers within their communities. At the beginning, two of them shared their positive stories and experiences about their volunteer engagement.