Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on 5 December.

It marks the launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026). This year-long initiative, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, highlights the critical impact of volunteers in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Aspects of the 2026 Theme:

• Celebrating Collective Action: Recognizing the power of volunteers to transform lives and communities.
• Call to Action: Promoting the "Every Contribution Matters" initiative, which encourages everyone to volunteer.

• Emphasizing Volunteer Power: Highlighting the impact of volunteering.
• Encouraging Investment: Supporting volunteer organizations.
• Creating Enabling Environments: Protecting and supporting volunteers.
• Securing Commitments: Ensuring long-term recognition and support.

Volunteers and volunteer organizations across the globe will join to celebrate International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on 5 December.

Building on the momentum of the International Year of Volunteers 2001, which raised the global profile of volunteerism, the International Day helps highlight collective challenges in voluntary action, including how to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This requires dedicated, coordinated action [UNV].

"If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever." - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

• GDRC's NGO Cafe

• 40/212: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD)
• Official website of the International Year of Volunteers - now the World Volunteer Web
• Unted Nations Volunteers
• The United Nations and the DPI/NGO section

• Archives: GDRC's pages on the International Year of Volunteers (2001)