Volunteer Services

There are many options for voluntary activity in Ireland.

There are currently 29 Volunteer Centres across Ireland providing a wide range of information, guidance and support services to volunteer involving organisations and individuals who are volunteering or wish to volunteer.

Learn more about volunteering locally.

The National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025 was developed through partnership with local and central government and the many stakeholders, representing a diverse community and voluntary sector.

The strategy, launched in December 2020 recognises, supports and promotes the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society.

Learn more about the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations that demonstrate good governance and deliver services and supports that have a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality.

The current round of funding runs from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2025. The application process for the scheme is now closed.

Learn more about funding here.

A Public Participation Network (PPN) is a structure that brings together Community and Voluntary, Environmental and Social Inclusion groups in each local authority area.

The primary purpose of the PPN is to enable the PPN member groups to input into and have their voices heard within the formal decision-making structures of the local authority.

The PPN is the 'go to' for all local authorities who wish to benefit from community and voluntary expertise in their area.

For more information on Public Participation Networks click here.

To find your local Public Participation Network click Item was unpublished or removed.

The Public Participation Networks Handbook can be found here.

Boardmatch Ireland is the national corporate governance charity in Ireland. It was set up to improve governance in the not-for-profit sector by strengthening boards and management committees, providing services and support to not for profits and charities to help them improve and strengthen their board composition.

You can learn more about it here.

The Social Innovation Fund was created by the government to find solutions to funding innovation in the non-profit sector that targets critical social issues. All money raised is matched by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Young Social Innovators promotes education for social innovation by empowering and supporting young people to realise their potential as social innovators, giving them the skills and confidence to tackle the social issues facing them, their communities and wider society.

Read more on social innovation supports here.

If you have any concerns about a charity, please contact the Charity Regulator.

The European Commission supports Member States through the development of the Volunteering Database.

Erasmus+ volunteering projects offer young people aged 17-30 the chance to volunteer in another Member State as well as outside the EU. Such volunteering opportunities have been supported since 1996, under the European Voluntary Service. Read more about its history here.

The European Youth Portal includes a Volunteering Database where young people can find information about current volunteering opportunities.

Should you be interested in taking part in Erasmus+ Volunteering, our Info Kit provides useful information for volunteers about to embark on their activity.

The European Solidarity Corps was launched in December 2016. The Corps allows young people to volunteer (or work) in projects for the benefit of communities and people around Europe. It is open to people between the ages of 18 to 30. 17-year-olds can already register their interest to participate before they turn 18.

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