5th January 2026
2026: The International Volunteer Year!
Happy new year everyone! As you welcomed in 2026, did you know we were entering the International Volunteer Year? We have a big year ahead of us for volunteering!
The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, known as the International Volunteer Year. This initiative launched on 5th December, International Volunteers’ Day with a special meeting of the UN General Assembly. The International Volunteer Year is a call to governments, organisations and communities worldwide to champion volunteerism in all its forms, while fostering inclusive policies and ensuring that the contributions of volunteers are recognised and measured.
Over 14,000 volunteers and stakeholders, including Volunteer Scotland and our members, from 164 countries contributed their experiences to shape a Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering:
Volunteers call on stakeholders to recognise, support and protect volunteering so that all people are well-enabled to volunteer with greater impact.
2026 is also a momentous year for Scotland, with our Scottish Parliamentary election in May. We are promoting the Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering in our manifesto asks and our advocacy work in the lead up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections. Here’s how we are seeking to recognise, support and safeguard volunteering in Scotland:
Recognise
Our No Volunteers, No Community campaign and manifesto calls on the next Scottish Government to recognise the societal importance of volunteering. We’ve made several recommendations about how the recognition of volunteering can be improved, including building the promotion of volunteering into the school curriculum from the earliest age, promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of volunteering with people affected by or at risk of poor health, and ensuring that community empowerment legislation acknowledges the role of volunteers.
Support
We are calling on the next Scottish Government to support volunteering by committing to fair and sustainable funding for third sector organisations, as this is vital to ensure that volunteers have supported, meaningful and appropriate volunteering experiences. Our manifesto also calls for investment in the develoment of supported volunteering projects across Scotland to help people with additional barriers to access and sustain meaningful volunteering.
Safeguard
We want the next Scottish Government to commit to retaining the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme fee waiver for volunteers in qualifying voluntary organisations to safeguard the vital role of volunteers in support some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people. We are also advocating for the principles of the Volunteer Charter to be embedded in all relevant policy to ensure that all volunteering is fair, sustainable and free from exploitation.
Celebrating the International Volunteer Year
We’d love for you to join us in marking this very special year for volunteering. Keep an eye on our events page and check out the UN Volunteers page for toolkits and materials and more information about the campaign. We’d love to hear how you are celebrating the International Volunteer Year!
Bethany Sikes
Research & Policy Manager