International Volunteer Day 2026
Saturday 5 December 2026
Dates can vary from year to year, so check the organiser’s website for the latest details.
United Nations Volunteers gives the formal name as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development and records the General Assembly’s 1985 mandate. International Volunteer Day, or IVD, is the usual shorter name.
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On this page
Dates and event details
Saturday 5 December 2026. Held every year on 5 December.
| Date status | Date calculated from a fixed annual pattern |
|---|---|
| Date-check source | UN Volunteers standing annual observance |
| Where | International |
What is International Volunteer Day?
United Nations Volunteers gives the formal name as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development and records the General Assembly’s 1985 mandate. International Volunteer Day, or IVD, is the usual shorter name.
Volunteering includes organised roles and informal community contributions. Recognition should not depend only on a public title, a large number of hours or a story that makes an attractive social media post.
International Volunteer Day is on Saturday 5 December 2026. The UN observance recognises the contribution of volunteers and provides an opportunity to improve how organisations support the people who give their time and skills.
How does 2026 fit?
The UN has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Its global launch took place on International Volunteer Day in December 2025. The year-long designation and the annual 5 December observance are related, but they are not the same event.
Check the date and edition of campaign materials before using a slogan. A resource labelled IVD 2025 should not be presented as a newly announced 2026 theme.
A useful recognition activity
- Ask what recognition people want. Some volunteers welcome a public thank-you; others prefer a private note or practical support.
- Make the thanks specific. Describe a contribution you have seen and why it helped, without inventing an impact total.
- Ask about one obstacle. It might be unclear instructions, inaccessible meetings or difficulty claiming agreed expenses.
- Choose an improvement. Record who will act and when volunteers will hear what changed.
If you want to volunteer
Look for a role with a clear description, realistic time commitment and appropriate support. Check the organisation’s requirements before promising your time. A well-matched, sustainable commitment is more useful than taking on a role because an awareness date has arrived.
UNV’s online volunteering guidance explains its remote opportunities, eligibility and application process. Individual assignments have their own requirements; applying does not guarantee selection.
For a school or workplace, share a few current opportunities and give people time to decide privately. Keep volunteering optional and ask permission before using names, photographs or personal stories in a recognition event.
