Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Volunteering Matters–and the very first edition during International Volunteer Year!
This special year is a chance to join a global community of volunteers putting their compassion into action.
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Can you commit to volunteering 26 hours in 2026?
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A couple hours a month from all of us will add up to a huge impact!
Join us this International Volunteer Year and take the pledge to do 26 hours of volunteering this year for 2026.
Whether it’s part of a more regular volunteering role, something you do at home in your own time, or helping out at different events throughout the year – there is some way for everyone to show their care for their community. The important thing is to find something you’re passionate about and go from there.
By signing the pledge, we'll keep in touch with information about volunteer roles, tips for having the best volunteering experience, digital badges to celebrate your commitment, and more to make this a fantastic year to be a volunteer!
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Do you manage volunteers?
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We want you to reach out to your network to get them excited to sign up for 26 for '26! Once you sign the pledge, you'll find social media graphics along with the digital badges so you can spread the word.
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) have also created a Trello board with logos, gifs and key messages about IVY 2026. All materials are free to download and we encourage you to use them throughout the year.
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What is International Volunteer Year?
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The designation of 2026 as the International Volunteer Year (IVY) by the Member States of the United Nations underscores the vital role volunteers play across the globe. Volunteer Ireland has been named the national lead on IVY 2026 by the Government of Ireland and will deliver a programme of activities together with other partners in the sector.
Every day, millions of people around the world take action – big and small – to make life better for others and for their communities. Whether it’s mentoring youth, supporting local health efforts, or responding to emergencies, volunteers drive meaningful change in communities. Through their actions, volunteers become a force for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – connecting people, strengthening resilience, and creating lasting impact
Want to learn more about how you can get involved or how your organisation can support International Volunteer Year? Check out our website, with information about the events and campaigns happening all across the world, as well as resources for our very own Irish participation.
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