Derry's Guildhall hosts launch of UN International Year of Volunteers

Derry City and Strabane City Council has pledged its support to Volunteer Now and the North West Volunteer Centre 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 year-long campaign will focus on the UN's core themes of recognising, measuring, and integrating volunteerism in the development of sustainability strategies.

Throughout the year the IVY 2026 working group will host a series of quarterly events for organisations, policy makers, and academia in Northern Ireland. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh officially opened the 1st workshop of the UN Year in Northern Ireland and welcomed the guests to the Guildhall. This workshop focussed on gaining a better understanding of volunteering and exploring the latest research. 

Speaking afterwards, Councillor McHugh, said: “I am delighted that our Council is supporting Volunteer Now and the North West Volunteer Centre as they lead the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Volunteers are the backbone of so many of the organisations that strengthen our communities, and this initiative rightly shines a light on their contribution to wellbeing, resilience, and progress. 

As we begin this programme, I want to acknowledge the dedication of all those who give their time and skills for the benefit of others. Their efforts are essential and I am proud that our district is playing such an active role in this important global campaign.” 

Volunteer Now’s CEO, Denise Hayward, said: “International Volunteer Year is an incredible opportunity for us to amplify the voice and actions of volunteers in Northern Ireland and to secure long-term commitment from decision-makers to recognise the vital role volunteering plays in our communities.

“By fostering community engagement and collective action, volunteering contributes meaningfully to the places we live. The UN's recognition that volunteering is a powerful means of achieving its Sustainable Development Goals gives us the mandate to ask for financial and policy investment that will support a sustainable future for our sector.

“Ultimately, our goal is to ensure Northern Ireland offers an environment in which volunteering can truly flourish for the benefit of everyone,” Denise Hayward said.

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North West Volunteer Centre’s Manager, Marirose Cunningham said; “IVY 2026 is a great initiative that puts volunteering in the global spotlight right down to grassroot communities. One of the campaign’s key messages - removing barriers to volunteering - is essential for sustainable community development.

“Resourcing volunteering should be a priority across local and regional government to ensure that volunteering can grow and remain sustainable for the future.” 

The 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. Subsequent events will then examine the barriers to volunteering and how organisations can overcome these. The second half of the year will focus on neighbourliness and informal volunteering, and how organisations can help champion diversity and tackle underrepresentation in the volunteer network.  

To find out more about how you or your organisation can get involved with volunteering in Northern Ireland, or to learn more about how you can support IVY 2026, contact Volunteer Now on 028 9023 2020 or email info@volunteernow.co.uk and North West Volunteer Centre on 028 7127 1017 or email info@nwvc.co.uk.