SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
More than 2.1 billion volunteers worldwide act every month to foster solidarity and humanity. Their efforts are vital for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, responding to humanitarian emergencies, and building resilient communities. IVY 2026 calls on governments, United Nations entities, civil society, academia and the private sector to deepen global understanding of volunteerism, promote knowledge-sharing, and integrate volunteering into national development strategies.
05 December 2025
Global
Article
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Every month, 2.1 billion working-age people volunteer their time and skills—fuelling real change in communities worldwide. Yet, outdated measurement methods have long overlooked much of this contribution, leaving volunteerism undervalued in policy and investment decisions.
05 December 2025
Global
Article
Global
Campaigns
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
“In an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity.On this International Volunteer Day, we honour the millions across the globe stepping forward to serve their communities and advance the greater good.This year’s theme, “Every Contribution Matters”, reminds us that everyone has something meaningful to offer, and that every cause, from hunger to climate to humanitarian action, benefits from the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers.
01 December 2025
Global
Success stories
Read more about the Unified Conditions of Service
01 December 2025
Global
Basic Page
United Nations entitiesUnited Nations entities can tap into the full range of categories of UN Volunteers. Partners can refer to the UN Partner Toolkit for information on the process to recruit UN Volunteers and engage Online Volunteers.
01 December 2025
Global
Basic Page
To gain a deeper understanding of our partnerships and access the most recent annual data on UN Volunteers, please click here and access the 2024 data on UN partners hosting UN Volunteers, and also visit the dedicated pages for some of our top partner UN entities.
30 November 2025
Global
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SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Just this week, I came across a 1995 UN briefing prepared for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali ahead of his meeting with Chancellor Helmut Kohl.It proposed three talking points:1. Thank Germany for its generous air support to UN peacekeeping missions, with C-160 aircraft and CH-53G helicopters.
24 November 2025
Global
Success stories
This year, under the inspiring theme “Every Contribution Matters,” IVD 2025 takes on historic significance as it marks the official global launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).
24 November 2025
Global
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olunteerism is a cornerstone of sustainable development and humanitarian action. Volunteers strengthen societies in times of crisis and peace, and their contributions are vital to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Valuing and measuring volunteer contributions—formal and informal—is key to strengthening global understanding and shaping innovative models for the future.
19 November 2025
Global
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