Country map
Lesotho
Region
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP, 2022)
168
Population (UNFPA, 2024)
2.4 milion

Volunteer statistics (ILO)*

Source: ILOSTATS. The data is collected by ILO from national statistical offices. As national statistics on volunteer work are produced using a variety of approaches and tools, direct and cross-country comparisons are not recommended. For more information, visit https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/volunteer-work/

No data

Measurement work

No data

Laws, Policies, Schemes on Volunteering

Does the country have a piece of legislation on volunteering?

No data

Does the country have a national policy, scheme, plan or strategy specific to volunteering?

Yes

Name of specific policy, strategy or plan on volunteering at the national level. Year created Source link What are the relevant SDG areas/crosscutting themes of the policy, plan scheme or strategy?

National Graduate Volunteer Scheme / National Volunteer Corps

2009 No data

Does the country have a sectoral and cross-sectoral policy, scheme, plan or strategy that mentions volunteering?

No

VNR Reporting

The Kingdom of Lesotho Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the Agenda 2030 Report 2019

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SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol SDG symbol

Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 21

3.2.4 Volunteers for the SDGs. The Government recognizes volunteers as critical partners for the implementation of the 17 SDGs. This is seen as a strategy to promote broader national ownership, a human rightsbased approach, gender equality, participation, inclusion and sustainability. Over 100 young Basotho volunteered and offered services during the VNR 2019, including mobilization, advocacy, and participating in consultation workshops. The GoL’s recognition of the value addition of volunteer action dates back to 2009 as demonstrated through the development and implementation of the National Volunteer Corps for young graduates’ project. This project enabled the country to retain new graduates from universities and vocational training institutions. Additionally, the intervention has impacted YESly on employment opportunities, sustainable livelihood, household security, natural resource and environmental management.

Paragraph 2, page 22

With about 38 percent of the population of Lesotho between the ages of 15 and 34 years, policies and programmes targeting youth are crucial as national strategies to ensure that no one is left behind in development planning and implementation. In 2015, a volunteer programme that is aimed at enhancing youth engagement in development frameworks enabled young people’s involvement especially in the hard to reach rural communities. Furthermore, the programme enabled the country to leverage volunteer involving structures and networks to improve their collective contribution, inputs and coordination on the implementation of various SDGs. From 2015, through formal and non-formal structures, volunteers have been mobilized and are active across different development sectors and are contributing to various SDG related programmes. For example, 64 UN Volunteers have supported SDG related programmes in rural areas while community based volunteers, are the pillars for preventative health, hygiene, water and sanitation and food security interventions, which are critical sectors linked to SDGs 1, 2, 3 and 6. 

Paragraph 3, page 73

4.5.9 Volunteers for the SDGs The Government recognizes volunteers as critical partners for the implementation of the 17 SDGs. This is seen as a strategy to promote broader national ownership, a human rightsbased approach, gender equality, participation, inclusion and sustainability. Over 100 young Basotho volunteered and offered services during the VNR 2019, including mobilization, advocacy, and participating in consultation workshops. The GoL’s recognition of the value addition of volunteer action dates back to 2009 as demonstrated through the development and implementation of the National Volunteer Corps for young graduates’ project. The volunteer database now has a total of 12,191 registered applicants among which to date 1,799 have been placed in different ministries while 9,824 await placement. The pool is bulging every year as more pool of graduates are registering whilst the absorption only guarantees 104 of the total number of volunteers budgeted under Government every financial year. This project enabled the country to retain new graduates from universities and vocational training institutions. Additionally, the intervention has impacted YESly on employment opportunities, sustainable livelihood, household security, natural resource and environmental management.

Paragraph 4, page

With about 38 percent of the population of Lesotho between the ages of 15 and 34 years, policies and programmes targeting youth are crucial as national strategies to ensure that no one is left behind in development planning and implementation. In 2015, a volunteer programme that is aimed at enhancing youth engagement in development frameworks enabled young people’s involvement especially in the hard to reach rural communities. Furthermore, the programme enabled the country to leverage volunteer involving structures and networks to improve their collective contribution, inputs and coordination on the implementation of various SDGs. From 2015, through formal and non-formal structures, volunteers have been mobilized and are active across different development sectors and are contributing to various SDG related programmes. For example, 64 UN Volunteers have supported SDG related programmes in rural areas while community based volunteers, are the pillars for preventative health, hygiene, water and sanitation and food security interventions, which are critical sectors linked to SDGs 1, 2, 3 and 6.

No mention

Kingdom of Lesotho - Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals Report

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No mention No mention
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