SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
A former combatant of an armed militia now runs sewing workshops to support her children. A senior retiree embarks on a second career as a volunteer, aiding agricultural businesses and enhancing food security. In remote forests, volunteers conduct malaria surveillance to curb its spread.
18 March 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Since I was a child, I always knew that sports would have an important place in my life. Over the years, I realized that my calling went beyond just playing sports. I had a clear goal of combining my passion for sports with my commitment of gender equality. The challenge I was up against: The lack of opportunities to work on gender and sports in Ecuador. I was up for the challenge and started looking for opportunities.
01 March 2025
Latin America and the Caribbean
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
The selected logo was designed by Stefan Peters, a freelance designer from Germany. His creation met all the criteria, showcasing originality and visual appeal. The logo's clarity ensures it can be reproduced seamlessly across various dimensions and scales. Most importantly, it effectively symbolizes the role of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
20 February 2025
Global
Article
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
My country, Bangladesh was a beginner when I was born. She and I grew up almost together. We have traveled through the caravan of time and experienced transitions of more than four decades now. In all these years, I have seen her moving through the tough tunnels of development dynamics.
19 February 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
But first let’s talk about tea or chai. Last year in a meeting with our senior manager, she asked me definition of a problem. “Anything that cannot be resolved over a cup of tea is a problem” was my answer.
In Pakistani culture, “let’s meet over a cup of tea” is not merely a simple statement. It symbolizes warmth, respect, and care. Tea is an integral part of our society and culture, and as a symbol of hospitality, social bonding, and friendships.
Back to my question now.
13 February 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
On December 5, International Volunteer Day, 2024, the United Nations Development Programme Administrator, Achim Steiner, called on our communities to recognise and appreciate the contributions of one billion volunteers worldwide. These volunteers support local and international communities in various contexts, including crises. They engage both on-site and online, working on tasks ranging from supporting individuals to organising large-scale events. Their impact is undeniable.
27 January 2025
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
The paper looks deeper at unpaid care and volunteering—classifying them as significant for societal well-being and economic development. While these activities are essential civic duties that support communities and individuals in need, they often go unrecognized.
The perspective that only paid activities qualify as work stems from a widespread misconception and obscures the vital contributions volunteering makes to our communities.
15 January 2025
Global
Article
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
The resolutions welcomes the progress made towards mainstreaming of disability inclusion and ensuring the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities in volunteerism, and noting the importance of removing barriers to ensure their full, equal and meaningful participation in volunteerism.
13 January 2025
Global
Article
SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
There was no girl to recite the alphabet
And there was no one to write
No one to read
Those sounds, the girl’s sounds
Had died under the brickbat of idiotism
And Buddha collapsed out of shame.
My poetry echoes the challenges in my homeland—Afghanistan.
Despite these challenges, particularly for women and girls, I've found a path of purpose as a UN Volunteer.
09 January 2025
Asia and the Pacific
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Finland and the full funding partnership with UNV started in 1974 with the signing of an agreement that resulted in the deployment of the first three Finnish nationals as UN Volunteers in 1975—Mirja Heijari with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Yemen as a nurse, Matti Järvinen, a Radio Studio Technician with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Tanzania and Pekka Savinsaari with UN-OTC in Swaziland in a water and se
23 December 2024
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories