The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.
International Volunteer Day Themes
IVD 2021 - Volunteer Now for our common future
IVD 2020 – "Together We Can Through Volunteering"
IVD 2020 emphasized gratitude for volunteers and their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IVD 2019 – "For an Inclusive Future"
IVD 2019 focused on the diversity of volunteers and how volunteers themselves contribute to inclusion.
IVD 2018 – "Volunteers build Resilient Communities"
IVD 2017 - "Volunteers Act First. Here. Everywhere."
IVD 2016 - "Global Applause – give volunteers a hand"
IVD 2015 - "Your world is changing. Are you? Volunteer!"
International Volunteer Day is celebrated by many non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector, among others. It is also marked and supported by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme.