Publication1

Evidence and Action
Issue 1 | February 2017
The Power of
Volunteerism
Photo Source: UNFPA Microsite

Photo Source: UNFPA website
Volunteer in UNFPA programming
volunteerism has emerged as a global phenomenon transcending borders, religions and sociopolitical
divides. It has come to embody a core set of fundamental human values including
commitment, civic engagement and collective solidarity. Volunteerism is a powerful and cross
-cutting tool for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It can help to expand and mobilize
constituencies and engage people in the national planning and implementation of the 2030
Agenda. It has a crucial role through building community ownership of the UNFPA supported
programmes in countries to facilitate impact as well as create a multiplier effect with a beneficial
impact on the individuals and in the work of the Agency.
Volunteerism and the SDGs
The Secretary General’s Report entitled “Integrating volunteering into peace and development:
The Plan of Action for the next decade” was presented at the 70th session of the United
Nations General Assembly in October 2015. It articulates a Plan of Action for the next decade
and beyond to integrate volunteering into peace and development and identifies three strategic
objectives to support the implementation of the SDGs:
Reiterates the importance of ownership of the development agenda through enhanced
volunteering and civic engagement;
Encourages the integration of volunteerism into national and global strategies to promote
the SDGs and to support the implementation of the 2030 agenda
Stresses the importance of measuring volunteerism’s impact in development, as well as
the role of volunteers in support of monitoring the implementation of the SDGs.
IMPACT
STRATEGY
PARTNERSHIPS
CARE
CPD
ACTION
SDG
VOLUNTEERISM
COMMUNITY
COMMITMENT
ENGAGEMENT

Value added of volunteerism
Strengthening volunteerism in UNFPA programming
In 2015-2016 The Operational Support and Quality Assurance Branch, PD developed
a white paper: ‘The Power of Volunteerism, making everyone count’. Two
webinars were organized to present the paper as well as to raise awareness within
the Organization. Many Country Offices, ROs as well as units at HQ expressed interest
in the topic and gave comments to the paper. Please find the latest version
of the paper as well as background documents on volunteerism on OSQAB microsite.
OSQAB supported the Honduras CO in presenting a pilot initiative to mainstream
volunteerism in UNFPA programme throughout the entire planning and implementation
process until measuring the impact of their work on the programme.
At the end of the 2016 and in collaboration with DHR an event to celebrate the
International Volunteer Day 2016 was organized at the UNHQ in partnership with
the UNV programme in NY.
DHR organized regional webinars on the UNV programme to present different
options for COs and ROs of engaging with national and international UNV’s worldwide.
Moving forward
SP
IDWG
Mainstreaming
Strengthening the partnerships with the UNV programme

Photo Source: UNFPA website