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What is this project about?
The National Volunteer Action Strategy (NVAS) is a pan-Canadian initiative led by Volunteer Canada to strengthen the country’s volunteer ecosystem as a foundation for inclusion, belonging, and community resilience. Through national surveys, roundtables, and workshops with more than 1,200 participants, the NVAS identified key barriers to volunteering and pathways for renewal. Communities emphasized that when volunteering is inclusive and accessible, it connects people across differences, builds trust, and fosters stronger, healthier, and more united communities. Yet many organizations, especially those serving equity-deserving groups, lack the practical tools and training to embed equity and cultural safety in their volunteer programs.
To address this and translate the NVAS from strategy to action, Volunteer Canada will develop an Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Toolkit and Learning Series. This initiative marks the first phase of NVAS implementation, offering bilingual, ready-to-use resources and training that help organizations apply national recommendations in daily practice.
The Toolkit will adapt the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement (CCVI) through an anti-racism, intersectional, and cultural-safety lens, embedding inclusion principles into the systems that guide volunteer engagement across Canada. A bilingual Digital Inclusion and Accountability Audit Tool will enable organizations to assess and strengthen their progress. Complementary webinars and workshops will build volunteer managers’ capacity to apply equitable screening, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive communication.
By operationalizing the NVAS through this Toolkit and Learning Series, Volunteer Canada will help organizations create inclusive environments where everyone can safely contribute and belong, strengthening Canada’s model of multiculturalism, community resilience, and collective well-being.
Why is this project important to the community?
Across Canada, volunteering is one of the most powerful ways people build trust, connection, and belonging in their communities. Yet, the National Volunteer Action Strategy (NVAS) consultations revealed that volunteer participation is declining, especially among equity-deserving and marginalized groups, due to barriers such as inaccessible screening processes, financial costs, and a lack of culturally responsive roles. This project represents the first phase of implementing the NVAS, turning its research and recommendations into practical action. By developing and sharing an Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Toolkit and Learning Series, Volunteer Canada will help organizations apply the principles of inclusion, accessibility, and cultural safety directly within their volunteer programs.
For communities, this means that more people, regardless of background, ability, or income, can safely and meaningfully contribute to community life. For organizations, it means having the resources and guidance to build volunteer programs that reflect Canada’s diversity and strengthen resilience through shared participation and connection. The project builds the foundation for healthier, more inclusive communities, where volunteerism serves as a pathway to belonging and collective well-being.
Target Completion Date
December 31, 2026
Location
150 Isabella Street, Suite 609
Ottawa
K1S 1V7