Regional Consultative Meetings on Volunteer Management for Sustainable Development: Briefs from Northern Region’s Event
To celebrate 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), this initiative recognizes volunteerism as a powerful means of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By empowering people to actively engage in addressing societal challenges, volunteer action strengthens social inclusion, fosters collective ownership, and translates the SDGs into meaningful local action.
The Centre for SDG Research and Support (SDG Move), Thammasat University, host institution of SDSN Thailand, is leading efforts to reposition volunteerism as a key driver of civic engagement and sustainable development in Thailand. In partnership with the National Volunteer Center and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), SDSN Thailand has launched a series of Regional Consultative Meetings on Volunteer Management for Sustainable Development as part of IVY 2026.
The consultations bring together stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and local communities to assess the current state of volunteerism, identify challenges and opportunities, and co-design approaches for strengthening volunteer management systems. Through a participatory and systems-oriented process, the meetings aim to generate practical recommendations for policy and system development while enhancing the contribution of volunteerism to the SDGs.
Northern Region Consultation (29 May 2026)
Hosted in collaboration with Chiang Mai University, an SDSN Thailand member institution, the Northern Region consultation convened representatives from academic institutions, civil society organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to review the regional volunteering landscape, analyze existing systems, and explore pathways for integrating volunteerism into local development policies and mechanisms.
The meeting was designed and facilitated by Ms. Nuntinee Malanon, Deputy Director of SDG Move and Co-Manager of SDSN Thailand, who also presented an overview of Thailand’s volunteer ecosystem and relevant case studies to inform the discussions.
The consultation highlighted Northern Thailand’s strong community spirit and rich local knowledge while identifying seven key priorities for strengthening the future of volunteering in the region:
- Establishing a centralized volunteer database and coordination system;
- Strengthening cross-sector partnerships;
- Enhancing volunteer capacity development;
- Attracting and retaining younger generations of volunteers;
- Leveraging technology and innovation;
- Improving sustainable funding and volunteer support mechanisms; and
- Promoting community-led, area-based volunteerism.
Together, these recommendations provide a roadmap for building a more coordinated, resilient, and sustainable volunteer ecosystem capable of advancing the SDGs and addressing local development challenges across Northern Thailand.
Stay tuned as we continue to capture the voices and localized strategies from upcoming regional consultations across Thailand!
