Saatja: "Häli Allas" <
[email protected]>
Saaja:
[email protected]
Teema: RE: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
Kuupäev: 2026-06-25 16:45
Dear Ms. Mirabdullayeva,
Thank you for your message and for sharing information about the
International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026.
We appreciate the important role that volunteerism plays in advancing the
Sustainable Development Goals and recognise the relevance of this
initiative also in the Estonian context.
At this stage, we can confirm our preliminary interest in exploring the
possibility of designating a national focal point for IVY 2026. However,
before making any formal commitment, we would appreciate further
clarification regarding the expected role, responsibilities, and
anticipated workload associated with this function.
In particular, it would be helpful to understand the scope of coordination
activities, expected level of engagement with UNV and national
stakeholders, as well as any reporting or organisational obligations
linked to the role.
We look forward to your further information.
Kind regards,
Häli Allas
Head of the religious affairs and civil society department
Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Estonia
<mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]
+372 5470 0124
<https://www.siseministeerium.ee/>
<http://www.facebook.com/siseministeerium>
<https://open.spotify.com/show/1LO39xEFNzMh1Hd5ExumMi?si=9c67417b19184c53>
From: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected]
<mailto:
[email protected]> >
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 3:59 PM
To: SiM info <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
>;
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Subject: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 –
National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
TÄHELEPANU! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu
saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada!
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is Zarina Mirabdullayeva, and I am writing in my capacity as
Regional Coordinator for the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable
Development 2026 (IVY 2026) at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
programme.
As you are aware, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as
the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development through
resolution A/RES/78/127. The resolution recognizes the contribution of
volunteerism to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and
invites Member States to observe the International Year at national,
regional and global levels.
Estonia has an active and well-developed volunteering sector, with
volunteer initiatives contributing to community development, social
services, youth engagement, and civil society strengthening. Volunteer
activities are supported through cooperation between public institutions
and civil society organizations. The International Year therefore presents
an opportunity to further highlight the contribution of volunteers in
Estonia and strengthen the visibility of volunteer engagement within
national sustainable development efforts.
In this context, we would like to kindly inquire whether the Government of
Estonia has designated, or is considering designating, a National Focal
Point to coordinate national observance and engagement related to IVY
2026.
The designation of a focal point facilitates coordination between national
institutions, volunteer networks, civil society organizations, and the UN
system.
We would be pleased to share further background materials and remain at
your disposal for any additional information.
Best regards,
Zarina Mirabdullayeva
Regional Coordinator for the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026
UNV Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Email: <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]
www.unv.org <http://www.unv.org/>
<https://www.facebook.com/unvolunteers>
<https://www.instagram.com/unvolunteers/>
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-volunteers/>
<https://x.com/UNVolunteers>
<https://www.youtube.com/user/unv>
Saatja: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected]>
Saaja: Minna Harjo, SiM info, Margit Veenpere, Häli Allas
Teema: RE: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
TÄHELEPANU! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada!
Dear Minna,
Of course! I would be very happy to join the call and give more details on the International Volunteer Year itself, as well as respond to any questions you might have.
Thank you,
Zarina
From: Minna Harjo <
[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2026 10:16 AM
To: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected]>
Cc: SiM info <
[email protected]>; Margit Veenpere <
[email protected]>; Häli Allas <
[email protected]>
Subject: RE: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
Dear Zarina!
Thank you for coming back to us with more details. This initiative sounds good and something we would gladly contribute to.
I would suggest that we have a call in mid or second half of august to discuss the details once myself and Häli are both back from summer vacations if that is suitable for you?
With kind regards
Minna Harjo
Advisor
Republic of Estonia Ministry of the Interior
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
+372 5332 6793
<https://www.siseministeerium.ee/> <http://www.facebook.com/siseministeerium> <https://open.spotify.com/show/1LO39xEFNzMh1Hd5ExumMi?si=9c67417b19184c53>
From: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2026 3:09 PM
To: Häli Allas <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Cc: SiM info <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >; Margit Veenpere <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >; Minna Harjo <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
TÄHELEPANU! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada!
Dear Ms. Häli Allas,
Thank you very much for your response and for your interest in IVY 2026.
The role of the national focal point is primarily one of coordination rather than implementation.
In practice, focal points usually:
* share information on national volunteer initiatives and IVY 2026 activities so they can be promoted through the global Knowledge Portal <https://knowledge.unv.org/international-volunteer-year> by UNV as well as recorded in the final UNV report regarding the Year; and
* Focal points also join monthly webinars for visibility opportunities as well as for some experience sharing with other countries but only if interested.
At the moment we have 54 different focal points from 54 different countries, they are reflected on our knowledge portal <https://knowledge.unv.org/international-volunteer-year> as well as activities countries were willing to share.
There are no formal reporting requirements or mandatory activities, we encourage countries to share their activities with us, so that we can reflect them in the reporting and to promote volunteerism globally. Countries’ activities and experience also help other stakeholders to learn more about volunteerism, get ideas and network.
The level of engagement is flexible and depends on each country's priorities and capacity. We are also always available to support focal points with information, materials and coordination whenever needed.
I hope this helps, and I would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have or even have a short call to provide more information.
Kind regards,
Zarina
From: Häli Allas <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2026 7:45 PM
To: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Cc: SiM info <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >; Margit Veenpere <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >; Minna Harjo <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Subject: RE: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
You don't often get email from
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> . Learn why this is important <https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification>
Dear Ms. Mirabdullayeva,
Thank you for your message and for sharing information about the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026.
We appreciate the important role that volunteerism plays in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and recognise the relevance of this initiative also in the Estonian context.
At this stage, we can confirm our preliminary interest in exploring the possibility of designating a national focal point for IVY 2026. However, before making any formal commitment, we would appreciate further clarification regarding the expected role, responsibilities, and anticipated workload associated with this function.
In particular, it would be helpful to understand the scope of coordination activities, expected level of engagement with UNV and national stakeholders, as well as any reporting or organisational obligations linked to the role.
We look forward to your further information.
Kind regards,
Häli Allas
Head of the religious affairs and civil society department
Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Estonia
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
+372 5470 0124
<https://www.siseministeerium.ee/> <http://www.facebook.com/siseministeerium> <https://open.spotify.com/show/1LO39xEFNzMh1Hd5ExumMi?si=9c67417b19184c53>
From: Zarina Mirabdullayeva <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 3:59 PM
To: SiM info <
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]> >;
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
Subject: International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 – National Focal Point and Observance in Estonia
TÄHELEPANU! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada!
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well.
My name is Zarina Mirabdullayeva, and I am writing in my capacity as Regional Coordinator for the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026) at the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme.
As you are aware, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development through resolution A/RES/78/127. The resolution recognizes the contribution of volunteerism to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and invites Member States to observe the International Year at national, regional and global levels.
Estonia has an active and well-developed volunteering sector, with volunteer initiatives contributing to community development, social services, youth engagement, and civil society strengthening. Volunteer activities are supported through cooperation between public institutions and civil society organizations. The International Year therefore presents an opportunity to further highlight the contribution of volunteers in Estonia and strengthen the visibility of volunteer engagement within national sustainable development efforts.
In this context, we would like to kindly inquire whether the Government of Estonia has designated, or is considering designating, a National Focal Point to coordinate national observance and engagement related to IVY 2026.
The designation of a focal point facilitates coordination between national institutions, volunteer networks, civil society organizations, and the UN system.
We would be pleased to share further background materials and remain at your disposal for any additional information.
Best regards,
Zarina Mirabdullayeva
Regional Coordinator for the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026
UNV Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Email:
[email protected] <mailto:
[email protected]>
www.unv.org <http://www.unv.org/>
<https://www.facebook.com/unvolunteers>
<https://www.instagram.com/unvolunteers/>
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-volunteers/>
<https://x.com/UNVolunteers>
<https://www.youtube.com/user/unv>