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National Volunteer Summit 2026

October 30–31, 2026 Miatta Conference Centre, Freetown 500 selected delegates
Register for NVS 2026 Learn More

Countdown to Day One

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Why This Summit

Redefining volunteerism in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone's youth face significant barriers to employment, engagement, and empowerment. The Summit reframes volunteerism from unpaid labour into a pathway for growth.

The Challenge

  • Volunteerism undervalued: many young people view volunteerism solely as unpaid labour, missing its potential as a pathway to employability and growth.
  • Missed employability pathways: graduates leave university with limited practical experience, making them less competitive in the job market.
  • Weak civic engagement: fewer youth actively contribute to community development, weakening the social fabric at the grassroots level.
  • 60%+ youth unemployment: a staggering figure that underscores the urgent need for alternative pathways to employment.

Our Solution

A two-day landmark event convening 500 youth to reframe volunteerism from unpaid work to a pathway for growth, employability, and national development.

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Inspiration & Awareness

Keynote speakers from government, civil society, and the private sector.

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Capacity Building

Professional CV and career development workshops.

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Volunteer Opportunities

100+ volunteer placements and job opportunities.

The Programme

Summit schedule

A packed two-day agenda designed to inspire, equip, and connect.

D1

Day 1 — October 30, 2026

Inspiration & Awareness

  • Opening ceremony with government and civil society leaders
  • Keynote speeches on volunteerism's transformative power
  • Panel discussions with industry experts
  • Networking sessions with partner organisations
  • Youth testimonies and success stories
  • Interactive Q&A sessions
D2

Day 2 — October 31, 2026

Capacity Building & Opportunities

  • CV writing and interview preparation workshops
  • Volunteer marketplace with 100+ opportunities
  • One-on-one career counselling sessions
  • Launch of the National Volunteer Hub
  • Partner organisation exhibitions
  • Closing ceremony and awards

What Success Looks Like

Impacts & outcomes

Measurable results that demonstrate the Summit's transformative potential.

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Youth Participants

Sensitized on volunteerism

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Volunteer Placements

Minimum youth placed

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Partner Organisations

Organisations engaged

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Media Reach

Audience reached

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Month Follow-Up

Placement tracking period

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Professional CVs

Developed or improved

Beyond the Two Days

Post-Summit follow-up

Ensuring lasting impact beyond the event itself.

National Volunteer Hub launch

AYN coordinates with partners to ensure 100+ placements are filled within 6 months (November 2026 – April 2027). A centralized database of qualified volunteers will be launched for sector-wide access, enabling organisations to find skilled volunteers efficiently.

Centralized Database 6-Month Tracking Ongoing Mentorship Certification Program

With Support From

Our partners & sponsors

UN Women
UN Volunteers
JO3 Arts
CCSI — Center for Community Impact and Sustainability
VSO

Registration Is Open

Be part of the movement

Register today for the National Volunteer Summit 2026. Approximately 500 delegates will be selected from applications received from all 16 districts of Sierra Leone.

Register for NVS 2026

Registration takes about 5–7 minutes and works on any phone.