In 2026, the world marks the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
It is a global recognition of the quiet, determined work of volunteers; people who give their time, energy and care to build a more just and sustainable world.
At GAP Ireland, we see that work taking root every day in our GLAS community gardens.
Our gardens are living examples of what is possible when community commitment is matched with strong local authority support.
GLAS @ TU Dublin: Growing with Fingal
At GLAS @ TU Dublin in Blanchardstown, volunteers gather in a shared green space that has flourished thanks to the support of Fingal County Council. This partnership enables the garden to operate as a welcoming, inclusive hub where students, staff, local residents and community groups come together to grow food, create pollinator-friendly habitats and share stories, experiences and ideas.
With Fingal County Council’s backing, the garden has become more than a campus space. It is a community ecosystem, that nurtures climate awareness, practical action and solidarity across generations.
GLAS Ballymun: Rooted in partnership with Dublin City Council
In Ballymun, the GLAS garden grows through the continued support of Dublin City Council. This support ensures that the garden can operate as an open, accessible space for local residents, schools and volunteers. It provides the foundation for community-led climate action in an area rich with resilience, creativity and care.
In Ballymun, our volunteers look after vegetables, grow a community, and harvest hope.
Through Dublin City Council’s partnership, the Ballymun garden stands as a living demonstration that sustainable development begins at community level.
Volunteering as climate action
IVY 2026 reminds us that volunteering is not an optional extra; it is essential infrastructure for sustainable development.
In GLAS community gardens, climate action is hands-on and hopeful: Neighbours learning to compost; Young people discovering the power of growing their own food; Corporate volunteers reconnecting with the natural world; Someone who once felt isolated finding belonging in a shared green space.
Our volunteers come together, across divides of background, ability, age or levels of privilege.
A shared commitment to regeneration
Our GLAS community gardens show what can grow when local authorities and communities work together.
Through our community gardens, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council are supporters as well as enablers of community resilience, biodiversity restoration and climate action.
During International Volunteer Year 2026, we will continue to celebrate the volunteers who bring these gardens to life. And we recognise the vital role of public partnership in sustaining them.