Reimagining Volunteerism

Reimagining volunteerism is a concept that aims to change the way we perceive, approach and engage with volunteering. It focuses on creating innovative and diverse opportunities that address global challenges while empowering individuals. This includes Skill-based volunteering, where individuals apply their expertise to solve community problems; Virtual volunteering, which leverages digital platforms to engage volunteers remotely; Employee volunteering, where working professionals contribute their time and skills to social causes; and Social entrepreneurship, where volunteers develop sustainable solutions to drive impact.  

Volunteering is more than just giving back—it’s about building the future. It equips young people with essential 21st-century skills, fostering personal and professional growth while driving meaningful social change. It aims to make volunteering more inclusive, so that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can get involved, and leverage technology to enhance and expand the impact of volunteering. The ultimate goal of reimagining volunteerism is to make it more effective and efficient in addressing the global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The concept of Reimagining volunteerism is highlighted by the need to fully integrate volunteering into the development agenda to better address today’s most pressing challenges and to recognize the current state and future potential of volunteering. It also highlights the need to create new, innovative and next-generation models of volunteering, foster inclusivity, measure volunteering to contribute to a holistic understanding of engagement in SDG implementation, and ensure the safety, security, and well-being of volunteers.