The global contributions of volunteers and their significance to peace and development worldwide remain largely unquantified. There are three challenges in this respect—the lack of comprehensive data sets on volunteering, the obstacles faced when attempting to compare these data sets, stemming from the use of various tools and methodologies, and the absence of a cohesive measurement framework. 

Volunteer Coaching is a mutually beneficial virtual initiative for both UN Volunteers and certified coaches. For UN Volunteers, it offers personalized guidance and support for both personal and professional development. By participating, volunteers can gain valuable insights, enhance their skills for performance, and build confidence in their roles. For coaches, it offers practical coaching experience for higher certifications and connects them to a wide range of UN professionals.

Forum and UNV share a common purpose, and both organizations recognise the importance of responsible, impactful volunteering in delivering the SDGs. This MoU sets out a new phase in our collaboration with UNV in which we will launch new research and new conversations on volunteering, and promote the voices of volunteers. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues in UNV in this exciting new phase," says Heather Shapter, Chair of the Forum Board.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV is the only entity capable of mobilizing large numbers of highly qualified volunteers, who serve the UN system in war-torn communities, classrooms, hospitals and homes.

Volunteerism engages people from the ground up to make lasting changes. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. It promotes the spirit of volunteerism, which is spreading as a way of life. UNV is the only entity capable of mobilizing large numbers of highly qualified volunteers, who serve the UN system in war-torn communities, classrooms, hospitals and homes.

Since poverty has been rising in Mongolia over the past 20 years, the National Volunteering Programme has been encouraging local communities to be active in helping their own citizens, build capacities of their own and work towards development. With the assistance of NGOs, international and local volunteers have initiated awareness-raising campaigns on volunteerism to better inform the government, ministries and local communities about its benefits.

Among the 7,000 islands and 19 million people that are the Philippines, the nation faces issues in making progress towards two MDGs in particular: enrollment of children in schools, and reducing the maternal mortality rate. In order to address these concerns, UNV has taken the initiative to raise awareness of MDGs through campaigns. In the "Stand Up Take Action" initiative, volunteers aimed to present the MDGs "in motion" to as many people as possible: One activity included a bicycle ride and another involved 100 university dancers at a local shopping mall.