Volunteer Groups Alliance

07/03/2025

6 more days to take survey!

07/01/2025

Register here bit.ly/VGAHLPF2025

for “2026: International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development” Official Volunteer Groups Alliance (VGA) Hybrid Side Event on the Margins of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Background

In December 2023, the UN General Assembly declared 2026 the International Year for Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026) to highlight the role of volunteers in advancing sustainability, thereby promoting and recognizing volunteering as a significant force for sustainable development. The General Assembly calls on Member States, United Nations system organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and academia, to observe the International Year at national and regional levels.

In preparation for the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development in 2026, the Volunteer Groups Alliance (VGA) is working with the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UNICEF Generation Unlimited to drive global engagement. As part of the planning process, VGA will hold a hybrid side event in conjunction with the UN HLPF as an opportunity to emphasize the power of volunteering, encourage greater investment in volunteering, and secure commitments from governments and others to support volunteering and an enabling environment in which volunteering will flourish. This discussion will contribute to the development of a Call to Action to shape a global campaign that reflects our collective vision and priorities for volunteering in 2026 and beyond. A key question will be how we can provide better enabling environments so that volunteers can significantly contribute to sustainable development.

Official VGA Hybrid Side-Event

On the margins of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convened at the United Nations Headquarters from 14 to 23 July 2025, this side event will take place on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. EST at Idealist HQ, 389 5th Ave, 9th floor, New York, NY 10016.

* Online participation will also be available through Zoom.

Register here bit.ly/VGAHLPF2025

We look forward to your participation!

VGA contact for this event:
[email protected]

06/23/2025

There is still time to share your voice on the future of volunteering!

Deadline Extended! Help Us Reach 10,000+ Voices for Volunteering

We’ve already heard from 8,300+ people across the globe—but we’re not done yet! We’ve extended the deadline for the Global Survey to July 9, 2025, to make sure every voice has a chance to be heard.

This survey will help shape a Global Call to Action for the 2026 International Year of Volunteering, driving investment and recognition for volunteering worldwide.

Share your insights and help us spread the word:
bit.ly/IVYSurvey

International Forum for Volunteering in Development International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Volunteer Groups Alliance MY World México Generation Unlimited

06/19/2025

One week left to give your voice through this survey!

06/03/2025

Who says older people can't volunteer? UNV has released a new report on "Volunteer Work among Older Persons."

Volunteering later in life supports active ageing, boosts self-esteem, and enhances physical and mental wellbeing.

Learn how ➡️

SynthesisThe world population is rapidly growing older. The projected share of the population aged 65+ is expected to reach 20 per cent by 2070, but this growth is not spread equally across countries. The share of older persons in regions like Eastern Asia is set to grow to well over 40 per cent, wh...

05/30/2025

In the framework of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), that will take place in Nice, France, from 9-13 June 2025, VGA and France Volontaires are collaborating to organize a side-event to put forward the contribution of volunteering to the preservation of the Ocean and the achievement of SDG14: Life below Water. The side-event will take place online next Thursday, 5 June, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. New York time, and will be a great occasion to hear about meaningful initiatives, testimonies and ideas from volunteers and related parties from all across the world. Please register at

ENGLISH VERSION In the framework of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), that will take place in Nice, France, from 9-13 June 2025, the Volunteer Groups Alliance (VGA) and France Volontaires are collaborating to organize a side-event to put forward the contribution of volunteering to th...

05/19/2025

Take the survey now!

Have 10 minutes to make a difference? Help shape the future of volunteering!

Volunteering is changing — and your voice is more important than ever. Whether you're a lifelong volunteer, work with a nonprofit, or lead social impact at your workplace, your experiences matter.

We’re collecting insights from around the world to better understand what volunteering looks like today — and how we can strengthen it for tomorrow. Your input will help shape policies, programs, and strategies that uplift volunteers everywhere.

📝 Take the quick survey here: bit.ly/IVYSurvey

Together, let’s build a future for volunteering that’s inclusive, impactful, and transformative. Thank you for being part of this global movement. 💚

05/16/2025

05/16/2025

Call to Expression of Interest - VGA / France Volontaires side-event at UNOC 2025 - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBOjdXPon-cogOaQ0bfsG6v788g6JpGInpiW3AgicFz8vJuA/viewform

Please fill out the above form before Thursday May 22 to let us know about your volunteering initiatives regarding Ocean issues and the way you can help us organize this event.

On the occasion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025), that will take place in Nice, France, in June, VGA and France Volontaires are collaborating to organize a side-event to put forward the contribution of volunteering to the preservation of the Ocean and the achievement of SDG14 : Live below Water. The side-event will take place online on June 5, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (NYC time), and will be a great occasion to hear about meaningful initiatives, testimonies and ideas from volunteers and related parties from all across the world.

To make this side-event as impactful as possible and to highlight the importance of international and national volunteering initiatives, we welcome all interested VGA members to participate in this process. Your participation can take any form, from sending an initiative you would like to see highlighted, to proposing panelists (volunteers, organization representatives, officials from your own country or region, etc.).

On the occasion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025), that will take place in Nice, France, in June, VGA and France Volontaires are collaborating to organize a side-event to put forward the contribution of volunteering to the preservation of the Ocean and the achievement of SDG14 :...

05/02/2025

Volunteer Groups Alliance applauds its member organization Golden for donating $500M in Volunteer Management Software to support Nonprofits impacted by AmeriCorps funding freeze in the United States -

Golden, the leading platform for volunteer management and community engagement, today announced a $500 million in-kind commitment to support nonprofits, government agencies, and other program operators affected by the sudden pause in AmeriCorps and USAID funding. The company will provide free access...