International Volunteer Year 2026
The year-long campaign will focus on the UN’s core themes of recognising, measuring, and integrating volunteerism in the development of sustainability strategies.
UN Year of Volunteering Awards 2026
2026 has been designated as the UN Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development.
To mark this, the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, will host a special awards ceremony recognising the individuals and organisations making a real difference across Northern Ireland.
Celebrate those who make a difference
Volunteers are at the heart of our communities. These awards are your opportunity to recognise the people and groups whose time, energy and commitment create lasting impact.
👉Submit your nomination today by clicking HERE.
Key Information
Nominations open: 1 July 2026
Nominations close: 30 September 2026
Awards ceremony: 3 December 2026
NI organisations unite for UN International Volunteer Year
Volunteer Now, the leading voice of volunteering in Northern Ireland, has united a powerful group of local organisations to champion the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026). This global campaign aims to champion and amplify the critical role volunteers play in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
The group will host a series of quarterly events for organisations, policy makers, and academia in Northern Ireland. These will drive action to build sustainable communities by valuing, strengthening, and securing investment in volunteering.
This year’s events will explore the key pillars of the UN resolution, calling on stakeholders to address challenges and commit to action through four dedicated quarters – focusing on understanding volunteering, barriers to volunteering, neighbourliness and informal volunteering, and diversity and inclusion.
