International Volunteer Year is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the power of civic participation and renew Canada’s culture of volunteering.
Ignite Volunteerism is a year-long effort to elevate the role of civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories.
At its core, Ignite Volunteerism means inspiring Canadians to reconnect with their communities through acts of service, civic action, and mutual support. The campaign responds to a decline in formal volunteering by inviting people from all backgrounds to “Find Your Thing” – discovering personal ways to contribute, whether through local events, grassroots initiatives, or ongoing volunteer commitments.
The Ignite Volunteerism campaign will serve as a celebration of Canada’s volunteers while inspiring a new generation of participation—creating a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive Canada for everyone.
We are re-igniting the culture of volunteerism in Canada. Join us!
The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
The previous International Year of Volunteers was in 2001, and in 2021 we marked its 20th anniversary as well as the 20th anniversaries of the launching of the first Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement, and the signing of an Accord between the Government of Canada and the (voluntary) non-profit and charitable sector.
As we equip and position our sector for the next 20 years, we need to restore, regroup, rethink, and reinvigorate volunteerism from coast to coast to coast, as we all navigate the shifting nature of volunteerism and community participation.
Join the movement and help lay the foundation for the next 20 years by:
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