IVCO

For many people, volunteering a pathway to engagement with civil society — offering a low-barrier, accessible route to active participation, leadership, and civic action. It plays a crucial role in promoting diversity, inclusion, and youth engagement, creating spaces where underrepresented and marginalised groups can contribute, lead, and shape collective action. 

This session will explore how volunteerism can foster long-term civic participation and leadership, with a focus on engaging young people and marginalised communities. It will showcase practical strategies for: 

• Designing inclusive volunteer programmes that dismantle barriers and create opportunities for diverse groups. 

• Empowering young volunteers as changemakers through training, mentoring, and leadership roles. 

• Transforming volunteer engagement into ongoing civic participation, using tools like alumni networks, mentoring, and skills development. 

Different modalities of breakout sessions have been designed to amplify diverse voices and promote opportunities for delegates to share their experiences in engaging ways during IVCO 2025.
Click here to find out more about what to expect from each type of breakout session.