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 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
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
19 November 2025
West and Central Africa
Exposure story
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
07 November 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Exposure story
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
Doha Political Declaration of the “World Social Summit” under the title “the Second World Summit for Social Development” stated (in regards to volunteerism):Encouraging volunteerism at all levels–local, national and international–and recognizing that these efforts contribute to social cohesion by promoting civic engagement.
05 November 2025
Arab States
Article
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
Andrii Nahornyi turns complex data into powerful maps to help cities thrive
24 October 2025
Global
Success stories
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
23 October 2025
East and Southern Africa
Exposure story
SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
متطوع الأمم المتحدة مع برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي، أحمد المدلل، موجود على الأرض في غزة. وهو مهندس يراقب توزيع الوقود للتأكد من استمرار تشغيل آليات إزالة الأنقاض وفتح الطرق أمام سيارات الإسعاف والمساعدات. بينما تقوم زميلته، ميساء العجرمي، وهي مهندسة معمارية، بجمع بيانات مفصلة من أربعة مشاريع لإزالة الأنقاض، وتوثق أحجام الأنقاض والآليات واستهلاك الوقود وأعداد القوى العاملة، وتقوم بعد ذلك بتحميلها على منصة معلومات المشروع.
15 October 2025
Arab States
Success stories
SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
UN Volunteer with UNDP, Ahmed Al-Mdalal is on the ground in Gaza. He is an engineer and monitors the distribution of fuel making sure debris removal machines keep operating and the blocked roads for ambulances and aid remain open. While another counterpart, Maysaa Al-Ajrami, an architect, gathers detailed data from four debris removal projects, documenting rubble volumes, machinery, fuel consumption, and workforce numbers, which she then uploads to the project’s dashboards.
10 October 2025
Arab States
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
“The levels of death and destruction in Gaza are without parallel in recent times. Day after day, our efforts are being blocked, delayed, and denied. This is unacceptable.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres says, while highlighting the clear obligations for the occupying power, Israel. He calls Gaza a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself. “People are starving.
17 September 2025
Arab States
Success stories