Celebrating the people who give their time to make the world better
International Volunteer Day (IVD) is celebrated every year on 5 December, following a United Nations resolution that recognises the contribution of volunteers to peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
It is a day dedicated to acknowledging the millions of people who offer care, support, skills, and solidarity — quietly and consistently.
What volunteering means today
Volunteering goes far beyond goodwill.
It strengthens communities, bridges inequalities, supports public health systems and safety nets, and empowers people to take action where it’s needed most.
Across the world, volunteers contribute to:
-
health and patient support
-
social care and community services
-
disaster response and humanitarian aid
-
education and youth programmes
-
environmental protection and sustainability
-
advocacy for vulnerable groups
The scale of volunteering
Global landscape
According to UN Volunteers (UNV):
-
Around 862.4 million people aged 15+ volunteer every month worldwide.
-
This represents nearly 15% of the global working-age population.
-
The total global volume of volunteer work is equivalent to the labour of 109 million full-time workers.
-
Organised (formal) volunteering accounts for about 6.5%, while informal volunteering reaches 14.3% globally.
Volunteering in Greece
ILO (ILOSTAT, 2022) reports that in Greece:
-
543,010 people engage in direct (informal) volunteering.
-
669,712 people contribute through voluntary organisations.
These figures reflect a strong and active culture of solidarity, participation, and civic engagement across the country.
Volunteering and cancer care
In the field of cancer, volunteering plays a vital and deeply human role.
Volunteers offer:
-
practical assistance to patients and caregivers
-
support in navigating health services and rights
-
companionship during demanding procedures or appointments
-
participation in awareness and prevention activities
-
emotional support and empowerment
Their presence brings stability, trust, and hope during some of the most challenging moments in a patient’s journey.
Volunteering at Kapa3
International Volunteer Day highlights the dedication of Kapa3 volunteers and the fact that our volunteers are an essential part of our mission.
Through their contribution, they:
-
support patients and caregivers in their day-to-day needs
-
assist in awareness, prevention, and advocacy actions
-
strengthen our European programmes, research activities, and community outreach
-
bring compassion, knowledge, and willingness to every corner of our work
Thanks to them, our vision — no one should face cancer alone — becomes reality.
Become a volunteer at Kapa3
If you wish to support cancer patients and their families, contribute to your community, and become part of our mission, you can join our volunteer network.
Click here to join our volunteer team: here
On International Volunteer Day, the Kapa3 team honours those who not only give their time, care, and heart but also support patients and caregivers in countless ways.
To every volunteer: thank you for your kindness, your consistency, and your strength.
Thank you for helping us build a world of dignity and hope.
Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3
Sources
United Nations Volunteers (UNV), State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (2022)
International Labour Organization (ILO) – ILOSTAT, Volunteer Work Statistics (Greece, 2022)
