Kenya Leads Global Launch of 2026 International Volunteer Year
Kenya has officially launched the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), marking a significant step in reaffirming the country’s commitment to volunteerism and community-led development.
The launch took place on 5 December 2025 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, on the sidelines of the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). It was followed by an environmental volunteering exercise at Karura Forest.
The event celebrated Kenya’s leadership in advancing global volunteerism. In 2023, the country served as a Core Group Member that negotiated and co-facilitated UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/127, which proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Kenya also co-sponsored the resolution alongside 53 other Member States.
Speaking during the launch, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator Louise Chamberlain commended Kenya’s tradition of collective responsibility and volunteer-led action. She praised the Government for championing the resolution and for inspiring countries to elevate the role of volunteers.
“Kenya’s history is written in the language of collective care,” she said. “We commend the Government of Kenya for setting the pace globally.”
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening support systems for volunteerism nationwide. Principal Secretary Joseph Motari of the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs announced that Kenya is developing a new Volunteerism Policy aimed at enhancing coordination, collaboration and protection of volunteers.
Volunteers were strongly represented at the event, with CorpsAfrica volunteer Stella Kidera urging policymakers to deepen investment in volunteer action. “Volunteerism must be recognised as work,” she said, calling for volunteerism to be embedded in national policies, resource mobilisation efforts and strategic planning.
The launch brought together senior government officials, diplomats, UN agencies, civil society actors, academics, the private sector and volunteer-involving organisations. The gathering also featured the unveiling of the 2025 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report and symbolic tree-planting activities in support of Kenya’s broader climate and ecosystem restoration ambitions.
Ms Chamberlain closed the event with a call to action: “International Volunteer Year 2026 is more than a celebration. It is a reminder that every contribution counts—for people, for the planet and for our shared future.”
