International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development

  .The 2026 SWVR seeks to advance debates around the world on volunteer measurement by tackling the persistent evidence gaps that limit our  understanding of the impacts of volunteering and the experiences of many volunteers . In line with previous SWVR cycles, this edition represents a step change, focusing on volunteer measurement, reflecting how conceptual and methodological priorities have evolved over time.  Investments in humanitarian and development work  are increasingly results-driven in order to achieve sustainable outcomes.  Evidence of the impact of volunteerism  is, therefore, essential to shape responsive policies. 

Risks around the world are escalating and volunteers are on the frontlines of change . From responding to climate emergencies and disasters to tackling deep-seated inequalities, their role in creating social cohesion and accelerating development has never been more essential. And yet, this vital work often remains invisible. Without reliable and comprehensive evidence on the roles, scale and value of volunteering, our understanding of policy remains fragmented and investment decisions remain ill-informed. Consistent and disaggregated data about volunteering is therefore urgently needed – not just to provide evidence of impact, but to enable policymakers to design more effective, inclusive responses and to fully integrate volunteering as a measurable component of national development. This Report builds on more than a decade of research conducted for the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR). This research has progressively expanded the global understanding of volunteerism – f...

Building on the case made in chapter 1, this chapter provides a critical overview of the state-of-the-art in volunteer measurement, tracing how approaches have evolved from their origins in statistical and economic terms to the holistic, multi-method frameworks increasingly used today. Examples illustrate how measurement objectives and practices have changed, particularly since the 2000s, alongside a growing understanding of volunteering as a force with economic and social value . From this new holistic perspective, measurement has become key to demonstrating that voluntary action generates public value and deserves recognition from citizens and governments.   As established in chapter 1, how volunteering is measured directly affects how it is valued. This chapter delves into the tools themselves, showing how different approaches can shape narratives and influence decisions. While standardized indicators are essential for comparability – one of the goals addressed by the GIVE fram...

Understanding of the global scale, nature and impact of volunteer work remains limited. Key questions remain, such as how many people volunteer and in what ways. Answering these questions requires robust, comparable and timely data. This is more than an academic exercise – it is a strategic necessity. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly demonstrated that communities rely on informal volunteer networks for survival and support when formal systems are strained or absent. 75 The link to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is more critical than ever. Volunteerism is recognized as a powerful and cross-cutting means of implementing the entire Agenda . New estimates provide a muchneeded baseline to advocate for the greater inclusion of volunteerism in national development strategies and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Its contributions have often been under-reported and undervalued. This chapter builds on previous initiatives to provide new estimates of volunteer engagement at both glo...

 For individuals, volunteering can boost confidence, resilience and skills , but it can also involve stress, exclusion and unequal experiences. Capturing this full spectrum of outcomes requires measurement approaches that are sensitive to cultural contexts and inclusive of diverse individual experiences. This chapter explores quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to measuring the multiple effects of volunteering on individuals.   To date, most evidence on personal impacts draws from experiences of individuals in or from the Global North , including local and international volunteers .  Expanding the discussion about how to measure volunteering particularly in settings in the Global South can lead to data that offers a more representative account of volunteering worldwide. This stronger evidence can help inform future advocacy, guide the fair distribution of resources and address inequalities in who volunteers and how they benefit from it.

 It is widely recognized that volunteers play a critical role in development. This chapter focuses on measuring volunteers’ contributions to economic growth, health and education as well as tackling inequality, especially gender inequality, which have been identified as key dimensions of development. Measuring volunteer contributions to other important development outcomes, including around climate and human rights, is covered elsewhere in this report.  The strategic importance of volunteers to sustainable development has been emphasized in global forums, and their roles in enhancing accountability, social cohesion and inclusivity, while supporting the Leave No One Behind agenda, have been highlighted. UNV country-level reports highlight the critical role of formal and informal volunteering in supporting national progress towards the SDGs. These analyses emphasize the urgent need for systematic and multidimensional data gathering to enable governments and organizations in b...