Revitalizing volunteerism through partnerships for the SDGs in Serbia

On 6 July 2017, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme in Serbia jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted in Belgrade a conference entitled Volunteerism for the Sustainable Development Goals. UNV Serbia facilitated the NGO, CSO and VIO joint-meeting to share knowledge, connect networks, and draw on best practices.

Why Youth Will Determine ASEAN's Success in the Digital Revolution

In collaboration with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Foundation and SAP along with other partners have launched the Youth Volunteering Innovation Challenge (YVIC) in ASEAN. Under the theme “Impact ASEAN,” the initiative supports young volunteers throughout the ASEAN countries in their journey to catalyze youth-led innovation for social impact and sustainable development...

Exchanging experiences and knowledge of youth volunteering in ASEAN

A conference facilitated by UNV promoted South-South cooperation and highlighted the role of volunteerism to common development challenges in countries across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and beyond. NBT World covers the event for Thailand.

In Jordan, volunteering provides opportunities to reach the most vulnerable

UN Volunteer Nadeen Al Hadidi serves with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Jordan. She assures that international support provided by UNICEF, other UN agencies and civil society organizations reaches the most vulnerable.

“Cheese exchange”: an initiative for women’s economic empowerment

During a field monitoring mission as a UN Volunteer Associate Project Officer with UN Women in Tajikistan, I got to know the female leaders of two dairies which, independently from each other, approached me with their idea to produce a hard cheese as a more durable dairy product.

During a field monitoring mission as a UN Volunteer Associate Project Officer with UN Women in Tajikistan, I got to know the female leaders of two dairies which, independently from each other, approached me with their idea to produce a hard cheese as a more durable dairy product.

Increasing youth employment in Tajikistan through the promotion of entrepreneurship

In Tajikistan, where 70 per cent of the population is under the age of 30, it is essential to enhance entrepreneurship and create more decent and fulfilling jobs for young people. The Start-Up Choihona project, initiated by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, is a joint initiative of government, development and private sector partners to support innovative entrepreneurship to increase youth employment.

One international UN Volunteer, ten community volunteers, and one UN Online Volunteer are running the Start-Up Choihona project, which has so far organized two national entrepreneurial competitions promoting innovation and youth employment. Quarterly competitions offer an opportunity for new entrepreneurs to present their unique business ideas to a panel of judges. Given the chance to pitch their ideas, Tajik entrepreneurs have the chance to get feedback on whether their business ideas could work and gain access to valuable networks of potential business partners and investors.

Why UNV is the key to gender parity at the UN

Impactpool's most recent talent survey shows that women who served as an UN Volunteer before their first UN staff position are close to 70% more likely to stay in the UN system compared with colleagues not having any previous UN Volunteer experience.

Refugees turned UN Volunteers educate fellow refugees

Helping refugees and asylum seekers get basic social services in Serbia

As part of my assignment, I visit Reception and Transit Centers where most refugees and asylum seekers are housed. I am responsible for ensuring asylum seekers’ basic social service needs are met and human rights respected.

"I am Chihiro Saito – international UN Volunteer from Japan serving with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Serbia. I work as Associate Field Officer in a team that responds to the refugee and migrant situation in the country. As part of my assignment, I visit Reception and Transit Centers where most refugees and asylum seekers are housed. I am responsible for ensuring asylum seekers’ basic social service needs are met and human rights respected. I have attained so much knowledge and experience working with asylum seekers and refugees. 

UN Volunteer professional profiles: UN Youth Volunteers "> UN Volunteer professional profiles: UN Youth Volunteers

This professional profile shows the minimum requirements to serve as a UN Youth Volunteer, and highlights potential assignments as well as volunteer entitlements.

UN Youth Volunteers can make an impact by improving access to and delivery of basic services, especially primary health care, HIV/AIDS and basic education, and enhancing community resilience and capacities for disaster risk reduction and for the environment, including for instance, by supporting community adaptation to climate change.