VOLUNTEER GROUPS ALLIANCE

Description

The Volunteer Groups Alliance (VGA) is a global coalition of more than 80 organisations and networks working in more than 150 countries that contribute to sustainable development through volunteering in all its forms. VGA supports its member organisations to promote the contribution that volunteers make to sustainable development and to gain recognition for the important role volunteers play at local, regional, and national levels and in the United Nations (UN) processes.

VGA members reflect the broad diversity of volunteering, ranging from international volunteer and cooperation agencies to volunteer-involving NGOs and domestic organisations that work through volunteers in their own countries. They also reflect the diversity of volunteer models, including online, employee, and Diaspora volunteering.

The global nature of VGA also reflects the universality of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by bringing together members from civil society and the public and private sectors from diverse locations.

VGA came together in 2013 following a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme stakeholder meeting and the annual IVCO Conference to advocate for the support and recognition of volunteering in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNV supports VGA, facilitating engagement to help ensure the importance of volunteering is recognised in the implementation of the SDGs.