The International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) has made a remarkable impact in 2024, uniting volunteer leaders from across the globe to drive meaningful change.
Over 1,400 volunteer leaders from 90+ countries convened to share best practices and discuss the role of volunteering in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Piloted a transformative initiative in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa to give millions of youth access to open-source skills training for employability through IBM SkillsBuild.
Ongoing effort to foster meaningful global dialogues in preparation for the 2026 the International Year for Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).
Developed online workshops on crisis volunteer management and resilience-building in conflict-affected communities.
270+ teams from 77 countries competed to develop innovative volunteer-driven sustainability projects, with three winners receiving $25,000 each to implement their ideas.
In an ongoing effort to prioritize the next generation of volunteers, IAVE convened academics, practitioners, and young volunteers to discuss the challenges and opportunities of fostering an environment where the next gen can thrive as changemakers.
Yoonae Park and Joyce Yoon received the IAVE Lifetime Awards for their extensive contributions to volunteerism in Korea and beyond. Lejla Šehić Relić was recognized with the Mary Ripley Award for her leadership in European volunteer initiatives, while Blessing Ewa received the inaugural Oknah Lah Award for her grassroots climate advocacy in Nigeria. Lastly, the 2024 Kenn Allen Award was posthumously awarded to Dr. Oknah Kim Lah, a trailblazer in Korea’s volunteer movement. IAVE proudly celebrates these changemakers for their inspiring commitment to service.
IAVE’s Global Network for Volunteering Leadership (GNVL) in Latin America unites 20 diverse organizations across 15 countries, fostering a rich exchange of experiences. To improve governance in the region, Master’s student Dania Franco led a strategic project analyzing legal frameworks and member insights to strengthen GNVL members’ impact and volunteer engagement. Franco, emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia, organizations, and volunteers in driving social development. Through these efforts, GNVL continues to empower changemakers across the region.
IAVE’s Global Corporate Volunteer Council (GCVC) fosters collaboration among corporate social responsibility professionals to enhance employee volunteer programs worldwide. In 2024, GCVC hosted a dynamic mix of virtual and in-person events covering key topics such as AI in volunteering, cross-border initiatives, and disaster response. Highlights included a London meeting on impact measurement and skills-based volunteering, as well as discussions with the Red Cross on corporate volunteer support in crisis areas. Through these efforts, GCVC continues to drive innovation and global impact in corporate volunteering.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
