Madrid hosted the first stop of the 5th Voluntare International Congress, a leading event for the corporate volunteering ecosystem that brought together more than 300 professionals from companies, foundations, nonprofit organizations, universities, and institutions specializing in sustainability and social impact.
The congress featured representatives from leading companies and organizations, including Fundación Repsol, Fundación Endesa, Fundación MAPFRE, Fundación Telefónica, Iberdrola, Voluntariado CaixaBank, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Fundación Adecco, Fundación ONCE, Ilunion, Fundación KPMG and MasOrange, among others.
Their insights showcased different approaches to advancing corporate volunteering programmes with greater impact, strengthening partnerships with the nonprofit sector, and addressing social challenges through collaboration.
Held at Repsol Campus, the congress provided a space for reflection on how corporate volunteering continues to evolve towards more strategic and measurable models that are aligned with today’s major social and environmental challenges.
A gathering to drive new ways of creating impact
Throughout the day, representatives from more than 30 organizations shared experiences, success stories, and key learnings on some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including volunteer engagement, impact measurement, leadership, partnerships between businesses and nonprofit organizations, and the creation of shared value.
One of the key messages echoed throughout the event was that corporate volunteering is no longer seen as a one-off initiative, but has become a strategic tool capable of strengthening an organization’s purpose while addressing the evolving needs of society.
A landmark year for volunteering
The congress takes place during the International Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), proclaimed by the United Nations, providing a timely context that places volunteering at the heart of social transformation strategies.
This year’s Voluntare International Congress also has a strong international dimension, with upcoming editions scheduled to take place in Medellín and Barcelona, further expanding dialogue and collaboration among organizations across Europe and Latin America.
Inclusion also took centre stage
One of the most memorable moments of the day came from Asociación Dan Zass,
which opened the congress with an excerpt from Vestigio, an inclusive contemporary dance performance that deeply moved the audience.
Through movement, visual poetry, and books as a storytelling element, the performance invited attendees to reflect on memory, diversity, and the transformative power of human connection. It served as a powerful reminder that inclusion is not only something to be explained, it is something to be experienced.
The development of the Voluntare Manifesto begins
One of the most significant milestones of the day was the launch of the Voluntare Manifesto, a collaborative document that will capture the shared vision of companies, nonprofit organizations, and experts on the future of corporate volunteering.
The first working session took place in Madrid and will continue throughout the upcoming editions of the congress, incorporating new perspectives and contributions to build a common framework that will serve as a reference point for the sector.
Volies takes part in a collaborative hub for social innovation
At Volies, we were proud to take part in this event as part of a community committed to advancing corporate volunteering and driving social innovation.
Events such as the Voluntare International Congress provide valuable opportunities to share knowledge, build meaningful partnerships, and continue promoting participation models that create lasting positive impact for both organizations and society.
