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This year’s IVD marked the official launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY) 2026. This milestone event created a powerful platform for key role-players to pledge concrete actions to operationalise the UN resolution 78/127. At its core, IVY 2026 calls on governments, civil society, academia and the private sector to integrate volunteering into development strategies. This year-long global campaign will spotlight volunteerism as a powerful driver for achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, echoed this call to action in a media statement saying, “over the next 12 months, I urge everyone, everywhere to volunteer for a cause that matters to you. In times of crisis and uncertainty, you can be the change you wish to see.”
Driving impact through partnerships
As a South African-founded company, with a global footprint in over 40 markets including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Discovery is proud to stand alongside global partners, including the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), in support of the call to action for the future of volunteering, reinforcing our core value to enhance and protect peoples’ lives through our shared value model. This act of service is a powerful force for good.
Speaking at the pre-launch event, Discovery’s Head of Corporate Social Investment, Andronica Mabuya said, “at Discovery, we believe that volunteerism is more than an act of service, it’s a powerful force for good in strengthening communities and addressing systemic challenges.”
Discovery supports the 2030 SDG agenda for sustainable development
Guided by our Shared Value model, Discovery ensures that doing good and doing well go hand in hand. Our approach is anchored on four sustainability differentiators:
- Making people healthier
- Enhancing and protecting lives
- Strengthening social systems
- Restoring the environment
“Volunteerism is a critical lever for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, among them good health and wellbeing, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities. Our CSI strategy incorporates our Employee Volunteer Programme as a platform to deliver meaningful service, skills sharing and advance the priorities of the National Development Plan, making a tangible impact in the South African context,” said Mabuya.
In 2025 alone, more than 2,000 employees volunteered 12,053 hours, equating to R2 million in value, with activities ranging from financial literacy masterclasses for entrepreneurs in Alexandra to strategic leadership training for NPO partners.
One standout project is Mentorship with Purpose, which taps into the specialist knowledge of Discovery executives to build leadership capacity, support small businesses, and empower civil society. Additionally, environmental rehabilitation efforts, such as restoring biodiversity and vital ecological functions along the Jukskei River in Alexandra, engaged 85 Discovery volunteers in making a tangible impact.
The event also featured the launch of the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2026, setting the tone for this initiative to recognise, amplify, and advance the contributions of global volunteers to sustainable development.
“We will continue to champion volunteerism as a strategic enabler of sustainable development. We invite our key stakeholders to join in reinforcing the message that ‘Every contribution matters’.” DM