The Republic of Kenya: Launching the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)
December 5, 2025 | Venues: Nairobi, UNON | and: Karura Forest Reserve, Nairobi - Kenya

Key Highlights:
1. Under the theme: ‘Volunteering for People and the Planet: Your Contribution Matters’, over 500 Volunteers and leaders participated in Kenya’s celebrations of the IVD 2025 and IVY 2026 launch at the UN offices in Nairobi to celebrate IVD 2025.
2. IVY 2026 officially Launched by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with VIOs, UN Agencies and other stakeholders.
3. The State of the World’s Volunteerism (SWVR) 2025, Launched by The UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator.
4. Inspiration in Action(contribution to SDG 15): A volunteer activity successfully conducted with a kick-off volunteer activity — leaders and volunteers jointly planted trees, in Karura forest Reserve, as IVY 2026 Kenya stakeholders’ commitment of contribution to Kenya’s nationwide tree-planting campaign under the President’s directive of planting 15 billion Trees by 2032.
5. Leaders’ Commitment for IVY 2026 Support: wall of action signed by leaders and volunteers from the Government of Kenya, Diplomatic Corps, UN system, Civil Society, and VIOs, the academia, and private sector — in commitment to support volunteerism for sustainable development under the IVY 202.
6. Policy: Commitment and submissions by Government of Kenya to fast-track the validation of The National Volunteer Policy during the IVY 2026 timelines.

7. Strategic Partnerships:
o Kenya IVY 2026 National Committee formation: An active IVY 2026 National committee comprising of over 15 institutions from Government agencies, effective mapped, engaged and mobilized from UN system, Civil Society, VIOs, academia and private sector.
o Memberships for Kenya VIO Society: African Network of Animal Welfare, Friends of Karura Community Forest Association are potential VIO Kenya Society New Members.

8. Private Sector Engagement: 2 Private Sector Companies effectively engaged:
o Safaricom Foundation Chairperson was one of the VIP Speakers at the IVY 2026 Launch event who shared and pledged commitment to continue supporting Kenya’s Volunteerism for Sustainable Development.

Afriventia Ltd, an Events Management company that operates in 18 countries across Africa, was successfully engaged. Afriventia Ltd. joined the Kenya IVY 2026 national committee to organize the launch activities and was motivated to sponsor the Kenya IVD-2025 Volunteer activity — tree planting activity at Karura forest