Institutions and Partner Organisations

HEI Partners: University of Limerick, University of Galway, University College Dublin, Technological University Dublin, University College Cork, Atlantic Technological University, Dublin City Unversity; 1000+ Volunteer Involving Organisations (Non-profit Community Partners)

Description

The Act4Change project aimed to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into student volunteering across Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at StudentVolunteer.ie – an online engagement platform to enable student and community action. The project achieved significant progress through collaboration and funding from the National Volunteering Strategy. An outcome of this project is that student volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) are engaging with the SDGs framework through a new technical build that allows for identifying and mapping the SDGs to community action. Student Volunteer Ireland is a community of practice and Act4Change outcomes include growth in HEI membership to even greater number of student volunteers. Key accomplishments include technical enhancements to the StudentVolunteer.ie platform to centre the SDGs, development of educational tools, stakeholder engagement, and visibility efforts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Overall Goal: To embed the SDGs within the StudentVolunteer.ie platform through the technical additions and online courses to enhance students’ and VIOs knowledge and understanding of the SDGs with their local, national and global volunteering experiences.

1. Goal: To identify, design and implement a new technical solution to add the SDGs to the existing volunteer role descriptions, the selection process for new role description postings and searchability by SDGs for students seeking volunteering on StudentVolunteer.ie
2. Goal: To develop a SDGs element of reflection for students seeking their student volunteer award at their HEI built into the online reflection, with questions on ESD and contribution of volunteering to the SDGs.
3. Goal: To develop global citizenship and student volunteering online training programmes (one for VIOs, one for students) to enable them to understand the positioning/role of the SDGs in student volunteering activity.

Teaching and Learning Approach

This initiative embeds ESD through active, reflective, and participatory learning strategies. Learners engage with real-world examples of volunteer projects mapped to the SDGs, fostering systems thinking and global-local connections. Interactive activities—such as drag-and-drop exercises, scenario mapping, and reflective prompts—encourage critical thinking and personal relevance. The module uses inquiry-based learning to explore how volunteering contributes to sustainable development, and supports transformative learning by prompting participants to reframe their understanding of impact and civic responsibility. Resources like SDG mapping templates and action planning tools promote practical application and future-oriented thinking. The pedagogy aligns with ESD principles by integrating values, sustainability competencies, and collaborative learning, empowering volunteer managers to lead change within their organisations and communities.

Assessment Strategy

Learners complete a short reflective diary at the end of the module, encouraging them to critically examine how their organisation’s volunteer activities align with the SDGs. Prompts guide participants to explore what they’ve learned, how their perspective on volunteering and sustainability has evolved, and what actions they plan to take. This strategy supports transformative learning, fosters personal and professional growth, and enables learners to connect global goals with local practice. The reflections may be shared in peer forums or used internally for strategic planning and impact reporting.

Impact and Outcomes

Sample Student Diary:

Aoife, College of Science

“My volunteering experiences are aligning with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).

By gaining skills in active listening and crisis intervention, I became better equipped to provide empathetic and non-judgmental support, helping to break down barriers and reduce stigma. At my local GAA Camogie club, I helped create a safe and supportive environment where young people could develop life skills, build confidence, and form positive relationships. This addresses the need for inclusive and healthy communities, contributing to SDGs.

Staff feedback:

“Our students have remarked at the ease by which they can view and apply for such a diverse range of volunteering opportunities through the SDGs, giving them the opportunity to try new things and build confidence.” Dr Ann O’Brien, Community Engagement Manager, University of Galway

Collaboration, Partnerships & Student Participation

The Act4Change project has enhanced and empowered volunteering for the SDGs as it strengthens Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within the five Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) members of StudentVolunteer.ie (UCD, UCC, TU Dublin, UL, University of Galway). As a direct result of Act4Change two additional HEIs ATU and DCU centre the SDGs in their student volunteering programmes and contribute to the impact of Act4Change.

Responding to national policies, the SDGs are now centred within our new technical platform at StudentVolunteer.ie, delivering an online tool for students and Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs). As a result, over 1,000 VIOs have been invited to design volunteer roles aligned to SDGs. Higher Education students search volunteering programmes by SDG, learn about the SDG-volunteering link and then reflect on impact of volunteering on global change when applying online for a student volunteering award.

Student Engagement

Student Volunteer Ireland mobilises students to engage with volunteering projects on and off campuses. Since 2016 over 26,000 students have registered to volunteer and logged 468,090 hours of student volunteer time.

Discipline

Teaching and Learning

Best Practices & Resources

Top Tip

Map the SDGs to volunteering projects in partnership with your community organisations.

Useful Resources

http://www.studentvolunteer.ie/

Funding Details

Ireland’s National Volunteering Strategy 2021–2025 is a comprehensive government framework developed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.