News

The UN has declared 2026 as the International Volunteer Year (IVY2026) but volunteer services are often unrecognised, undervalued, and under-resourced.

The IAVE (International Association for the Volunteer Effort) recognises that volunteering needs stronger systems, better protection, and sustained investment.

They have identified three important action areas that need addressing: recognition, support, safeguarding.

Recognition

Volunteers must be systematically valued, not symbolically appreciated.
This means:

• Recognising formal and informal volunteering as strategic assets
• Celebrating volunteer contributions publicly
• Elevating the personal and professional benefits of volunteering
• Strengthening research to measure impact
• Ensuring volunteers have a voice in decisions

Support

Volunteering doesn’t happen automatically. It needs infrastructure and investment.
This includes:

• Policies and frameworks that integrate volunteer action
• Legal structures that reflect changing modes of volunteering
• Training, development, and strong volunteer management
• Platforms for collaboration and accountability
• Inclusive, accessible opportunities, especially for marginalized groups
• Joint investment by governments, donors, and the private sector

Safeguarding

Volunteering thrives only when people are safe, supported, and protected.
Stakeholders must:

• Integrate volunteer safety into laws and policies
• Ensure accountability for harm against volunteers
• Establish and uphold codes of conduct
• Prevent volunteers from being used as unpaid substitutes for paid staff

Read more about their call to action here.