In a world facing interconnected social, environmental and humanitarian challenges, volunteerism remains one of the most powerful forces for solidarity, resilience and sustainable change. With this understanding, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 78/127, has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, widely referred to as International Volunteer Year - IVY 2026.
IVY 2026 is a global call to governments, organisations, civil society, communities and individuals to recognise, support and strengthen volunteerism in all its forms, formal and informal, local and global. The International Volunteer Year launched officially on 5 December 2025, on International Volunteer Day, and will be observed throughout 2026 at national, regional and international levels.
What is volunteerism?
Volunteerism is the act of freely offering time, skills and energy for the benefit of others or for the common good, without financial compensation. It can take many forms: from informal acts of mutual aid within a neighbourhood, to structured volunteering programmes, online volunteering, and international assignments.
Today, it is estimated that around one billion people volunteer worldwide. Approximately 70% volunteer informally, directly supporting people in their communities, while 30% participate through formal organisations and programmes. This diversity is one of volunteerism’s greatest strengths, allowing it to reach different communities, contexts and needs.
Volunteerism is deeply rooted in cultures across the world. It fosters solidarity, civic engagement and a sense of belonging, while empowering individuals to act collectively and responsibly within society.
Why IVY 2026 matters
The International Volunteer Year highlights volunteerism as a key driver of sustainable development, contributing across social, economic and environmental dimensions. Volunteers play a vital role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, from climate action and education to social inclusion, health, peacebuilding and community resilience.
IVY 2026 emphasises that all forms of volunteering matter. Whether volunteering is formal or informal, in-person or digital, short-term or long-term, local or cross-border, every contribution counts and deserves recognition and support.
A core message of IVY 2026 is the need to remove barriers to volunteering. Volunteerism must be accessible to all, regardless of gender identity, age, disability, socioeconomic background, ethnicity, religion or migration status. Creating inclusive, safe and enabling environments for volunteers is essential to unlocking the full potential of participation, especially for people facing discrimination or fewer opportunities.
Volunteers are also key actors in times of crisis and recovery. From natural disasters and pandemics to conflict response and long-term reconstruction, volunteers are often among the first to respond and the last to leave. Supporting volunteerism means strengthening communities’ ability to adapt, recover and thrive.
Volunteerism is evolving
Volunteerism continues to evolve alongside societal and technological changes. Digital volunteering, skills-based volunteering and cross-border cooperation are expanding opportunities for engagement, particularly for people in remote or underserved areas. IVY 2026 calls for greater investment in knowledge-sharing, innovation and supportive frameworks to ensure these emerging forms of volunteering are inclusive, ethical and impactful.
At the same time, evidence matters. Robust data, research and measurement tools are essential to understanding the real impact of volunteerism. Recognising and measuring volunteer contributions ensures they are visible in policy-making and development planning, leading to more effective and inclusive strategies.
IVY 2026 and ELIX
For ELIX, the values and messages of IVY 2026 resonate deeply with decades of work in volunteering, youth participation and non-formal education. Since its foundation, ELIX has supported thousands of people to engage in local and international volunteering, through workcamps, long-term projects, the European Solidarity Corps, Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges and training activities.
ELIX views volunteerism not only as a form of service, but as a learning process, a space for intercultural exchange, empowerment and active citizenship. By creating inclusive opportunities, supporting participants with fewer opportunities, and working closely with local communities and international partners, ELIX contributes to volunteerism that is ethical, meaningful and transformative, for both volunteers and host communities.
As the International Volunteer Year 2026 approaches, ELIX is committed to actively contributing to its vision: promoting volunteerism as a force for solidarity and sustainable development, advocating for inclusive participation, and strengthening the recognition of volunteers’ contributions at local, national and European levels.
IVY 2026 is not only a celebration of volunteering, it is an invitation to reflect, improve and act together. For ELIX and the communities it works with, it is also a reminder that meaningful change is built through collective effort, long-term commitment and shared responsibility.
