As excitement for the FIFA World Cup brought people together around the world, UN agencies in Colombia came together for a different kind of match, one that celebrated teamwork, solidarity, and the power of volunteer action.

Hosted in Colombia in the framework of the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), the inter-agency activity used sport as a powerful reminder that the values driving success on the field are the same values that drive sustainable development: collaboration, commitment, inclusion, and collective action.

Through friendly sports challenges and team-building activities, participants reflected on how every contribution matters. Just as every pass can create an opportunity to score, every volunteer action, no matter how small, can help create lasting positive change.
The event also highlighted a key message of IVY 2026: sustainable development is a team effort. Everyone has a role to play in achieving shared goals and ensuring that no one is left behind.

By bringing colleagues together in a dynamic and engaging environment, the activity strengthened inter-agency connections while showcasing the transformative power of volunteering as a force for social cohesion and sustainable development.

As IVY 2026 continues to gain momentum in Colombia, this event served as a reminder that when we play on the same team, we can go further, achieve more, and strengthen volunteer action as a powerful force for sustainable development.