LocationsBy Bayan AlSutari, Web Editor, Knowledge Project
30+ Volunteers Drive UNDP’s Knowledge Project Impact in 2025
December 4, 2025
A glimpse of the activities of the Knowledge Summit 2025
UNDP’s Knowledge Project mobilized more than 30 dedicated volunteers in 2025, bringing their time, expertise, and passion to advance its mission of empowering nations and individuals through knowledge. Their efforts support UNDP’s mandate to help countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable development.
Volunteers drive innovation, strengthen communities, and embody a core human value: the willingness to give, create a positive change, and uplift others in a world facing unprecedented challenges.
As 5 December marks International Volunteer Day, we highlight the experiences of Knowledge Project volunteers who came together across borders. They contributed to a wide range of activities, from UX/UI reviews and functional assessments of the Knowledge4All portal to visual design and community engagement for the Global Knowledge Index, Knowledge Summit, and Future Skills Academy initiatives.
Coinciding with International Volunteer Day 2025 is the launch of the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026), marking a major milestone for volunteerism. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2023, this initiative calls on all stakeholders to work collectively, making volunteering more inclusive, impactful, and widely recognized.
Volunteerism has a global reach, involving one billion volunteers worldwide who contribute the equivalent of 109 million full-time workers, according to the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. Their work reinforces the UN’s mission as it marked its 80th anniversary (UN80) and advances the SDGs, ensuring no one is left behind.
Embodying the Year of Community Spirit
Inspired by the UAE’s culture of service, and coinciding with 2025 as the Year of Community, Rand, 24, a Syrian volunteer who has lived in the UAE her whole life, contributes to the Knowledge Project from the Dubai office.
Rand supports the Global Knowledge Index, assisting with data collection, verification, and analysis to ensure the index remains a reliable a global benchmark for knowledge measurement. Her work also informs evidence-based policies and supports other initiatives, including the Knowledge Summit, which recently concluded its 10th edition.
“This volunteering opportunity reminded me that change begins with knowledge, and that we all have a role in contributing to something larger, ensuring equitable access to information,” she emphasizes.
She added: “Beyond developing my skills, it shaped my purpose and deepened my belief that even small contributions can create meaningful impact and transform societies.”
Improving the User Experience for All
For Ziphozenkosi, 24, from Zimbabwe, volunteering during the lead-up to the UN80 anniversary felt deeply significant. “It represents decades of progress toward sustainable development, and I wanted to be part of that story,” he explains.
He applied his expertise to review and improve the user experience (UX/UI) of the Knowledge4All portal, helping make the platform more accessible and user-friendly for individuals and stakeholders across the Arab States region.
“Through this experience, I strengthened my design thinking and problem-solving skills, gained exposure to international collaboration, and learned the importance of creating digital solutions that truly cater to diverse audiences,” he says, underscoring how his personal growth feeds into the broader mandate of the UNDP.
Growing Skills While Giving Back
Gabriel, 28, from Romania, was motivated simply by a desire to contribute and “be part of something bigger.” As an experienced UI/UX designer, he was involved in enhancing the Knowledge4All portal's interface.
“It was a great opportunity to grow in a different direction,” he reflects. “In my day-to-day work, I focus on Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, and since I had not worked on a website in a while, this project challenged me to refresh my memory and evolve my skills in a public service setting.”
Gabriel highlights the valuable soft skills he gained: “I also learned to adapt to new styles of presenting content, embraced diversity, and received valuable feedback.” He noted these insights will help further enhance the Knowledge4All portal, proving that volunteerism is a two-way street for both contribution and learning within the UN ecosystem.
Visual Communication with Purpose
For Sally, 30, from Egypt, the opportunity was about more than designing a logo for the Future Skills Academy; it was a chance to communicate with purpose and make an impact through visual messaging.
She highlights: “The volunteering assignment allowed me to develop new skills and contribute to a project that embodies the values of the United Nations. Supporting an initiative that empowers young people with skills needed for tomorrow aligns perfectly with what I believe in. Giving space for youth voices to be heard felt like the kind of contribution that makes a difference, even if it begins with small steps.”
Sally sees these learnings as directly connected to the UN’s vision of an inclusive and sustainable future, particularly in ensuring young people have a voice in shaping what comes next.
Employing Expertise to Improve Digital Access
As a full-stack developer, Sumer, 31, from Yemen, focused on the functional review of the Knowledge4All portal, identifying gaps and suggesting crucial user experience improvements.
Sumer shared that the experience enhanced his analytical skills, improved his understanding of UX, and provided a clearer sense of how user-centred design supports broader educational and accessibility goals. “Being involved in the Knowledge Project during the United Nations’ 80th anniversary strengthened my interest in contributing to initiatives that promote learning, accessibility, and youth empowerment in the region,” he explains. Looking back on his volunteer work, Sumer says, “I am proud to have contributed and remain available for future volunteer tasks,” highlighting the lasting connections that volunteerism creates.
Ongoing Opportunities
The Knowledge Project will continue partnering with volunteers, providing meaningful ways to contribute and develop skills as part of its capacity-building efforts. Keep an eye out for further openings in the coming year; your chance to join and make an impact could be next!
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