On this page

1. Information providers
2. Key initiatives

Information providers 

StudentVolunteer.ie  

StudentVolunteer.ie is an online resource connecting students with volunteering opportunities in civil society organisations. Organisations include community groups, charities, schools, hospitals, public bodies and NGOs across Ireland. StudentVolunteer.ie is funded by a number of third level institution members and Campus Engage. 

Campus Engage  

Campus Engage is a national network set up to promote civic engagement activities in Irish higher education. It is open to all universities and Institutes of Technology staff, students and community organisations in Ireland. The network aims to strengthen community-campus relationships through volunteering, community-based research, community-based learning and knowledge exchange. 

Volunteer Ireland 

Volunteer Ireland is a national volunteer development organization and a support body for all local Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services in Ireland. The key roles of Volunteer Ireland are:  

• To support, promote and celebrate volunteering in Ireland in a variety of ways including major campaigns like National Volunteering Week and the Volunteer Ireland Awards. 
• To advocate on behalf of volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations to create the best possible environment for volunteering in Ireland. 
• To manage I-VOL, the national database of Irish volunteering opportunities and listings 
• To support Volunteer Centres based in each county in Ireland 
• To deliver training in best practice in volunteer management to organisations that involve volunteers 
• To provide support and guidance to companies interested in volunteering 

• To develop and support best practice in volunteering and Volunteering Centres.

   

   

I-VOL 

I-VOL is the national volunteering database with a search engine that allows potential volunteers to search opportunities by location, cause and activity. The I-VOL app also allows volunteers to search for opportunities close to them using a map. Over 8,000 organisations advertise their volunteering opportunities on I-VOL and at any given time there are about 30,000 volunteering vacancies over approximately 3000 different roles. 

Volunteer Ireland’s Response to Covid-19 

Due to the nature of Covid-19, Volunteer Ireland and the network of Volunteer Centres ran a successful ‘volunteer from home’ campaign, showcasing a range of ways people could volunteer from home. They also have published information on how to support the most vulnerable members of Irish communities during the pandemic. More information can be found on https://www.volunteer.ie/. 

Local Volunteer Centres 

Local Volunteer Centres are a key information provider on volunteering. There are 29 Volunteer Centres across the country. 

Volunteer Centres match individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate volunteering opportunities. They also offer advice and support to both volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations through a range of services that include information provision, consultation, training and police (Garda) vetting. 

Key Initiatives 

Volunteer Ireland runs a National Volunteering Week campaign every year. National Volunteering Week is a week dedicated to highlighting volunteering across Ireland. It is run in partnership with the network of Volunteer Centres. 

Volunteer Ireland Awards are run by Volunteer Ireland. The aim of the awards is to celebrate and recognise volunteers. The Volunteer Ireland Awards are open to people of all ages volunteering in Ireland. Volunteers are nominated by members of the public for the awards.