April, 2026
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was adopted by world leaders in 2015. The SDGs remain the world’s roadmap for ending poverty, protecting the planet and tackling inequalities.
Volunteers are indispensable to achieving the goals of the SDGs. The 2030 Agenda recognises that volunteers are stakeholders to achieving the 17 SDGs. Volunteers effectively facilitate all SDGs by raising awareness, inspiring or engaging in grassroots efforts.
Volunteerism is a powerful way of encouraging more people to engage in civic and development activities, engaging people at a local and national level for planning and action. It also enhances people’s capacity, builds community participation and social cohesion. Volunteering creates a ripple effect that inspires others, and advances the transformation that is required for the SDGs to take root in communities.
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), thereby promoting and recognizing volunteerism as a significant force for sustainable development.
Recommended Resources
Volunteering Australia and the Sustainable Development Goals
Volunteering Australia supports International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).
In 2017 and 2018, Volunteering Australia contributed to Australia’s first Voluntary National Report on the Sustainable Development Goals and associated forums.
National Volunteer Week 2018 highlighted the contribution Australia’s volunteers make to SDGs at the local and global level.
