Explore volunteering through the SDGs and make a big community impact!

14/07/2025

Student Volunteer Ireland are thrilled to announce that students can now explore their volunteering impact through the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In 2026, the United Nations has designated the year as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development . This global observance celebrates the vital role volunteers play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from climate action to poverty reduction.

Students are now empowered to explore meaningful volunteer opportunities by navigating a new online database that links projects directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The website, StudentVolunteer.ie, designed with student engagement in mind, allows users to filter volunteer opportunities by location, area of interest, and—crucially—by SDG category. Whether it's promoting gender equality, supporting climate action, or working on quality education initiatives, students can connect with causes that match their passions and values. By selecting an SDG—like Goal 13: Climate Action or Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being—users can instantly access local and international projects that contribute to that objective. From tree planting in local parks to assisting in community health events, the range is vast and tailored to diverse skill sets.

• For students, this resource represents more than just volunteer action projects. It’s a gateway to global awareness, civic responsibility, and personal growth. By aligning their efforts with the SDGs, student volunteers become active participants in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future. The database also serves as a portfolio builder, with many projects offering certificates or recommendation letters that add real-world value to resumes and university awards.

• Educators are encouraging use of the tool in classrooms to spark discussions about global challenges and to promote action-based learning. As students engage in real projects, they can see their classroom theory in a variety of community contexts. 

• This initiative is a significant learning opportunity for Volunteer Involving Organisations that host student volunteers, as they can identify their impact through the SDGs.

For the United Nations' ambitious 2030 Agenda to succeed, grassroots involvement is crucial. Students using this database become more than volunteers—they become changemakers aligned with a universal blueprint for progress. Student Volunteer Ireland acknowledges that this has been made possible through funding from Ireland's National Volunteer Strategy - lead, organised and implemented by the Department of Rural and Community Development.