Date: Friday, 5th December 2025; 40th Annual Day.
Full name: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
Founder: United Nations
Objectives:
International Volunteer Day is celebrated annually for the following purposes:
- to heighten awareness of the important contribution of volunteer service to socio-economic development activities,
- to motivate more people from all walks of life to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad.
Inception:
International Volunteer Day was officially held for the first time on 5 December 1986.
History:
On 17 December 1985, the United Nations General Assembly declared 5 December, through Resolution A/RES/40/212, the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, commonly called International Volunteer Day.
Background:
Each year, hundreds of millions of people volunteer their time and skills to help improve the lives of others and make the world a better place. When they volunteer, they also gain a greater sense of belonging to the communities.
How to celebrate the Day:
Every year, on 5 December, governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals worldwide celebrate International Volunteer Day with rallies, parades, volunteer fairs, group clean-ups, blood donations, conferences, exhibitions, fundraising, workshops, volunteer recognition events, and social media campaigns.
Annual theme in recent years:
2025 theme: “Every Contribution Matters.”
2024 theme: “Recognize volunteers’ contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”
2023 theme: “The power of collective action: if everyone did.”
2022 theme: “Solidarity through volunteering.”
2021 theme: “Volunteer now for our common future.”
2020 theme: “Together we can through volunteering.”
2019 theme: “Volunteer for an inclusive future.”
2018 theme: “Volunteers build resilient communities.”
2017 theme: “Volunteers act first. Here. Everywhere.”
2016 theme: “Global applause – give volunteers a hand.”
2015 theme: “Your world is changing. Are you? Volunteer!”
2014 theme: “Make change happen, volunteer!”
Official website:
www.un.org/en/observances/volunteer-day
