day in Zagreb, the program for marking the IVY 2026 was presented.

The Croatian Red Cross emphasizes that volunteers were among the first to respond in moments when the world faced crises, challenges, wars, and growing social inequalities, providing humanitarian aid, assisting the elderly and vulnerable, organizing local initiatives, and contributing to environmental protection.

"In those moments, it became clear that the resilience of communities does not rest solely on institutions, but also on people who are willing to give their time, knowledge, and energy for the common good. That is precisely why 2026 is more than symbolic. It is a call to action. A call to states, civil society organizations, educational institutions, the business sector, and every individual to recognize volunteering as a strategic resource of society," highlighted representatives from the Croatian Red Cross.

The Croatian Center for Volunteer Development presented the initial program for marking 2026 in Croatia, which will focus on several key goals: increasing the visibility of volunteers' contributions, encouraging the involvement of people from different age groups in volunteer activities, strengthening cooperation between the public, civil, and business sectors, and improving the framework for developing quality and sustainable volunteering. The initial program will be supplemented throughout the year based on collaboration with an expanded coordination of partners.

Through the establishment of an expanded stakeholder coordination and the creation of an open and inclusive collaboration platform, activities of various organizations and institutions organized and implemented by December 5, 2026, will be recognized as part of the national contribution to marking the IVY 2026.