iVolunteer Awards 2026 for Volunteers, Youth Leaders, NGOs, Schools & Companies [05 Categories, National Recognition]: Nominate Now!

Applications and nominations are now open for the iVolunteer Awards 2026, one of India's leading volunteer recognition initiatives celebrating individuals and organisations creating meaningful social impact through volunteering.

Organised by iVolunteer India, the awards recognise volunteers, youth leaders, educational institutions, NGOs and companies that have demonstrated outstanding commitment towards community development and active citizenship.

About iVolunteer

Founded in 2001, iVolunteer is a leading Indian social enterprise that connects volunteers with non-profit organisations working across diverse social sectors.

For over 25 years, iVolunteer has been promoting skills-based volunteering and strengthening volunteer engagement across India. Today, it supports a network of over 30,000 volunteers annually and collaborates with more than 700 verified non-profit organisations.

About the Awards

The iVolunteer Awards honour individuals and organisations whose volunteer efforts have created measurable and sustainable social impact.

Apart from national recognition, the awards aim to inspire more people to volunteer and celebrate those who are building a compassionate and inclusive society through service.

Award Categories

Applications and nominations are invited under the following categories:

• Volunteer Hero Award
• Youth Champion Award
• Leader in Volunteer Engagement
• Leader in Employee Volunteering
• Leadership in Institutional Volunteering

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility varies according to the award category.

Individual categories are open to volunteers and youth changemakers who have made significant contributions through community service.

Organisation categories are open to:

• NGOs
• Schools
• Colleges
• Universities
• Corporate organisations
• Other eligible institutions engaged in volunteer-driven initiatives

Past nominees and finalists are also encouraged to apply again. However, winners from the previous two editions are generally not eligible to apply in the same category.

Recognition

Selected winners will receive:

• Official iVolunteer Trophy
• Certificate of Excellence
• National recognition through iVolunteer's media and communication channels

Selection Process

The selection process consists of four stages:

Stage 1: Application Screening

Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness and category suitability.

Stage 2: Public Voting and Expert Evaluation

Eligible applications are assessed through a 50:50 evaluation model, combining:

• Public voting
• Independent expert assessment

Stage 3: Finalist Verification

Achievements of shortlisted finalists are verified through a reference verification process.

Stage 4: Jury Selection

A distinguished jury independently reviews the verified finalists and selects the winners.

The winners will be announced during the iVolunteer Awards Ceremony 2026.

Why Should You Apply?

The awards provide an opportunity to:

• Receive national recognition for volunteer work
• Showcase your social impact
• Inspire more people to volunteer
• Build visibility for your organisation or initiative
• Join India's leading volunteer recognition platform

How to Apply?

Interested applicants can submit their application or nomination through the official category-specific links below.

Volunteer Hero Award

Apply/Nominate:
https://nominate.ivolunteer.in/catalogue/5649/ivolunteer-awards-volunteer-hero-2026

Youth Champion Award

Apply/Nominate:
https://nominate.ivolunteer.in/catalogue/5647/ivolunteer-awards-youth-champion-2026

Leader in Volunteer Engagement

Apply/Nominate:
https://nominate.ivolunteer.in/catalogue/5650/leader-in-volunteer-engagement-2026

Leader in Employee Volunteering

Apply/Nominate:
https://nominate.ivolunteer.in/catalogue/5646/leader-in-employee-volunteering-2026

Leadership in Institutional Volunteering

Apply/Nominate:
https://nominate.ivolunteer.in/catalogue/5652/leadership-in-institutional-volunteering-2026