Breaking new ground: United Nations Volunteers and University of Pretoria set to launch firstever Global Volunteer Index 

In a bold step to elevate the value of volunteerism, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the University of Pretoria (UP) are set to launch the Global Volunteer Index (GVI) in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, on 2 June 2025.

This first-of-its-kind tool is designed to systematically measure and spotlight the contributions of volunteers to sustainable development worldwide. The Global Volunteer Index is set to become a game-changer, giving governments and development partners insights to tap into the full potential of volunteerism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Professor Samuel Manda, who leads the GVI at UP, emphasised the importance of data in shaping policy: “With this Index, we aim to build a compelling, data-driven case for increased investment in volunteerism as a force for achieving sustainable development.”

Dr Tapiwa Kamuruko, Chief of Volunteer Advisory Services at UNV, said, “This is a major milestone for the global volunteering and development community. Until now, there has been no universally accepted framework to measure the vital, and often invisible, contributions of volunteers. The Global Volunteer Index changes that – it’s not just about data, but about recognition.”

The day-long launch event takes place in Ekurhuleni. It aims to unite a dynamic mix of stakeholders – from government representatives and academics to volunteer organisations and global volunteer networks. A high-level panel takes centre stage at the event, focusing on how the new Index will help countries measure volunteer contributions. Still in its early phase, the framework introduces a globally relevant methodology for collecting and analysing volunteer data. A comprehensive Framework for the Global Volunteer Index will be published later this year in UNV’s flagship publication, the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR).

UNV partners with academia for State of the World's Volunteerism Report 2026

Volunteering builds inroads and supports communities. In this photo, UN Volunteers interview community members to assess basic health services in the rural areas of Rwanda.

 

Department of Statistics partners with United Nations Volunteers

In August 2024, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) team visited the Department of Statistics at the University of Pretoria for a technical meeting on the Framework proposal.

From left: Prof Samuel Manda (Head: Department of Statistics), Anthea Hurling (UNV Country Coordinator, South Africa), Prof Sollie Millard (Department of Statistics), Dr Tapiwa Kumuruko (Chief of the Voluntary Advisory Services @UNV Bonn), Prof Barend Erasmus (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences) and Ms Jessika Naidoo (NAS Research Manager).