National Volunteering Week 2026
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As India progresses towards its centenary, volunteering has emerged as a strategic tool for inclusive nation-building enabling collaboration across sectors, amplifying grassroots action, and translating national priorities into local impact. Purpose-driven volunteer engagement is essential to shaping a resilient, equitable, and future-ready India.
National Volunteering Week (NVW), observed annually from 18–24 January, is a flagship initiative of the India@100 Foundation that reflects this commitment. NVW mobilises individuals, institutions, and partners across the country to contribute meaningfully to inclusive development through structured and impactful volunteer engagement.
The 13th edition of NVW (2026) was held under the theme ‘Involve. Inspire. Impact — Volunteering for an Inclusive Future’, underscoring the transformative power of collective action and community-led solutions. During the week, partner-led volunteering initiatives were undertaken pan-India, addressing diverse social and developmental priorities.
As part of these efforts, the India@100 Foundation, in collaboration with ConnectFor, Association of Social Beyond Boundaries, and Navjyot Foundation, organised ‘Vidya Daan’, an education-focused volunteering initiative, on 25 January 2026 at Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai. Volunteers engaged children from under-resourced communities through interactive learning and creative activities, while a Reflective Collar Making Drive for street dogs enhanced their visibility and safety after dark bringing education, compassion, and action together to create meaningful, localised impact.
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I HAVE A DREAM is a fireside chat series that invites sector experts to reflect on how their sectors have progressed over the years and what they want India to be by its 100th year. This series also builds context for further conversations between stakeholders on issues that are key to the country’s future.
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This month, India@100 – I Have A Dream Series featured Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director, Godrej Enterprises Group, speaking on the theme “India@100: Growing Responsibility, Leading Sustainably.” She shared insights on how India’s growth journey toward 2047 must be driven by responsible innovation, inclusive development, and environmental stewardship.
Emphasizing collaboration between startups, government, and industry, she highlighted opportunities in aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, alongside the need for consumer-focused technologies that improve efficiency in energy, water, and maintenance. She also underscored the importance of individual social responsibility and volunteerism in building empathetic communities and a purpose-driven workforce.
We have archived the conversation for you, do watch it.
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Involve. Inspire. Impact — Volunteering for an Inclusive Future
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In the run-up to the 13th edition of National Volunteering Week 2026, the India@100 Foundation convened a virtual panel discussion on “Involve. Inspire. Impact — Volunteering for an Inclusive Future.”
The session brought together leaders from across the volunteering ecosystem: Neel Ghose, Country Manager & General Manager, India, Skyscanner, and Founder, Robin Hood Army; Avilash Dwivedi, Head – CSR, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (Automotive and Farm Equipment Business); Praveen Karn, AVP & Head – Group Sustainability & CSR, Spark Minda Group; and Abhishek Ranjan, Senior Director & Global Head – ESG, Brillio. The discussion was moderated by Shalabh Sahai, Co-Founder & Director, iVolunteer.
Panelists highlighted how structured and skills-based volunteering, backed by corporate leadership and cross-sector partnerships, can drive meaningful community impact, foster inclusion, and build a more engaged and socially responsible workforce.
Watch the discussion.
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