Kenya Launches 2026 International Volunteer Year

On 5 December 2025, Kenya officially launched the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026) at a high-level event held on the margins of the 7th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, followed by an environmental volunteering activity at Karura Forest.

This national launch celebrates Kenya’s critical leadership at global and national levels. In 2023, Kenya served as a Core Group Member that negotiated and co-facilitated the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/127, which proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Kenya was also a co-sponsor of the resolution alongside 53 Member States.

“Kenya’s history is written in the language of collective care,” said Louise Chamberlain, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator during the launch event, praising Kenya’s longstanding tradition of community action and its leadership at the UN. “We commend the Government of Kenya for championing this resolution and setting the pace for countries globally to recognize, support and elevate the work of volunteers.”

The Government emphasized Kenya’s renewed commitment to strengthening the enabling environment for volunteerism.

“Kenya is developing a new, forward-looking Volunteerism Policy. We are committed to strengthening systems, deepening collaborations, and protecting volunteers as they serve communities across our nation,” stated Principal Secretary Joseph Motari, State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs.

Representing volunteers, Ms. Stella Kidera, a CorpsAfrica volunteer, issued a clear call to action:

“To serve with respect, responsibility and purpose—this is what volunteering means. Volunteerism must be recognized as work. Kenya must embed volunteerism in national policies, mobilise more resources, and expand partnerships to fully mainstream volunteer action in our national strategies.”

The event gathered leaders from government ministries, UN entities, diplomatic communties, civil society, academia, private sector, and volunteer-involving organizations. It also featured the unveiling of the 2025 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report and symbolic tree-planting activities aligned with Kenya’s national climate and restoration efforts.

“International Volunteer Year 2026 is more than a celebration—it is a call to action,” said Louise Chamberlain. “Every contribution matters—for people, for the planet, and for our shared future.”