Representatives of non-governmental organisations, public administration, academia, business and institutions involved in the development of civil society – a total of over 50 people representing nearly 40 entities – have been appointed to the Organising Committee for the International Volunteer Year 2026. The inaugural meeting took place on 24 February in Warsaw.

In accordance with the decision of Adriana Porowska, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Vice-Chair of the Committee for Public Benefit, the National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development is coordinating activities in Poland. The Director of NIW-CRSO has just appointed an Organising Committee for the International Volunteer Year.

"In the heart of Warsaw, in the famous Rotunda building, the Organising Committee has begun its work. Representatives of many communities met to discuss volunteering. We are planning what we can do to give a new impetus to the development of volunteering in Poland in this special year and to encourage Poles even more effectively to engage in social activities," said Michał Braun, Director of NIW-CRSO.

–The IVY Organising Committee in Poland plays a key role in coordinating the celebrations of the International Volunteer Year and bringing together public institutions, civil society organisations and the volunteering community around a common goal of strengthening recognition of the work of volunteers and their contribution to social development. This platform facilitates dialogue and cross-sectoral cooperation, and thus the exchange and promotion of good practices and solutions. Equally important, the Committee's activities highlight the importance of volunteering for the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the achievement of sustainable development goals at the national level, explained Aleksandra Szorc, acting director of the United Nations Information Centre in Warsaw.
The inaugural meeting of the Committee also featured the presentation of the results of desk research on volunteering and social activity in Poland, prepared by Prof. Anna Domaradzka, Dr Magdalena Roszczyńska and Dr Agata Żbikowska from the University of Warsaw.

Committee members had the opportunity to learn about the basic principles of this year's IVY celebrations and discuss the possibility of including events planned by their organisations or institutions.

The plans include, among others:

• Incorporating the topic of volunteering into nationwide events organised by institutions responsible for education, social policy and culture.
• Recognising the commitment of volunteers by institutions and non-governmental organisations,
• Promoting volunteering in national grant competitions related to sport and culture.
• Working on the development of employee volunteering, as announced by representatives of the largest corporate foundations,
• Social campaigns on volunteering at universities throughout the country,

•  Appreciating and promoting volunteering in Polish communities around the world.

   

  The Organising Committee for the International Year of Volunteering will meet every two months.
  You can read more about IVY 2026 in Poland at https://niw.gov.pl/ivy-2026/