The International Forum for Volunteerism in Development (Forum) is the leading global network of organisations working with volunteers to achieve sustainable development goals.
- It exists to share information, develop good practice and improve cooperation across the voluntary sector.
- Founded in 1964 in Strasbourg under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
Until 2000 it was considered an organisation of agencies based in Europe. - It is in that year when it opened its membership to organisations from all over the world, organising every year an annual meeting of the Heads of International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations (IVCO), which we have been attending these days.
As a board member, Poyatos will take an active role in the organisation’s board of directors and governance, leading thematic working groups and driving the network’s strategy.
"We take on this new challenge in a particularly important period, as 2026 has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, which will mean being part of the leading international volunteer network at a key moment in time".
We assume this responsibility based on the experience and consolidation of our organisations for more than a decade, not only in Europe but also in Latin America.
This new role will allow us, in addition to contributing our own international experience, both from organisations in the social and business sectors, to continue learning from other leading organisations that form part of the Forum, such as the different State Development Agencies of Norway, France, Korea or Japan, and global NGOs such as Peace Corps, Cusco International, Habitat for Humanity or Crossroads International. And to bring all this knowledge to our closest partners and collaborators.
"I am a person whose life was changed by volunteering 20 years ago. I could not believe that there were people who altruistically dedicated their time and effort to helping others. From that moment it was clear to me that volunteering was a key force for social change and I have dedicated my life to learn more about it, to promote it from every possible angle and to make volunteering a life project, both personally and professionally".
