The United Nations’ International Volunteer Year (IVY) celebrates the important role volunteers play in communities around the world. Working for local charities, social enterprises and community groups, we know the time, skills and care offered by volunteers to help others and improve lives are invaluable.

The International Volunteer Year aims to demonstrate and champion how volunteering supports fairness, inclusion and stronger communities. It asks governments and organisations to invest in volunteering, remove barriers and make it easier for people to get involved. It will also promote new ways of volunteering that fit modern life, such as flexible, remote and short-term roles. The goal is to help more people take part, feel valued and make a real difference in their local areas and beyond.

Empowering Communities partners, led by Voluntary Norfolk, will encourage more people in Norfolk to volunteer and offer their time to local causes. The IVY is an opportunity to explore how volunteering can fit today’s world, so people of all ages and backgrounds can get involved. We will focus on key IVY themes throughout 2026, with the centrepiece being Norfolk’s first Festival of Volunteering in June!

Find out more here and by signing up to our Volunteering Newsletter.