The International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organisations DOBRO has been established

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The founding congress of the International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organisations DOBRO was held on 5 December at the National Centre RUSSIA. The meeting took place as part of the Fifth International Forum of Civic Participation #WEARETOGETHER. The initiative to establish the Association was put forward by representatives of volunteer organisations from CIS countries at last year’s forum and received the support of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk sent a welcoming address to the participants of the congress, which was read out by Denis Ashirov, State Secretary and Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. In his message, it was noted that the Association would make it possible to build direct cooperation between non-profit organisations, civic initiatives and volunteer communities, respond promptly to new challenges and concentrate resources to address issues of significance to millions of people.

"The initiative supported by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is the result of many years of work to build a modern volunteer environment. It reflects the need for systematic, long-term cooperation between civic associations and non-profit organisations from many other states," Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk noted in his address.

The main goal of the Association will be to strengthen international humanitarian cooperation between civic associations and non-profit organisations of the CIS member states and other friendly countries. The organisation will enable the exchange of experience and best practices, the implementation of joint educational programmes, the study of the civic sector and the development of solutions capable of advancing the non-profit sector both within individual countries and at the supranational level.

"It is very important that the Association is being established within such a remarkable initiative as the #WEARETOGETHER Forum. It is truly a unique platform that brings together experience, energy, new approaches and interesting projects, and, most importantly, makes meaningful interaction between people possible. The experience accumulated in Russia over the years of the #WEARETOGETHER initiative will be valuable for the participants of the International Association being created today. This includes infrastructure, specific projects and, perhaps above all, what unites all of us here — a special attitude towards good deeds, volunteering, mutual assistance and support. I am confident that the Association will become a vivid example of cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of our countries," said Vadim Titov, Head of the Presidential Directorate for Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation.

The establishment of the Association is particularly important ahead of 2026, which has been declared by the UN as the International Year of Volunteers. The official launch of preparations for the thematic year in Russia took place on 3 December at the award ceremony for the International #WEARETOGETHER Prize.

"Establishing this Association is a remarkable strategic step that welcomes and propels the volunteer movement forward. The DOBRO Association itself provides us with the opportunity to conduct a structured dialogue. This is a truly tangible contribution of volunteering to the development of the entire world. We will be able to carry out an endless number of good deeds by supporting the local actions of every individual volunteer. We see that the most diverse organisations are taking part. We see a new force emerging — one that will lead social, political and civic initiatives," said Tapiva Kamuruko, Head of the Analysis and Research Department of the UN Volunteers programme.

Among the key principles of the Association's work are voluntary participation and equality of members, openness and transparency of activities, respect for human dignity and universal human rights, mutual trust and respect for cultural differences, as well as non-discrimination, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, the protection of vulnerable groups including children and young people, and a commitment to depoliticised humanitarian cooperation aimed at practical assistance and sustainable development.

"As President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin said, a kind heart has no borders. Today we are putting our plans into practice. We are doing this so that the friendship we share becomes a norm of life, a practice of professional partnership and of the leadership that countries assume in promoting the humanitarian agenda around the world. I also invite the finalists of the International #WEARETOGETHER Prize to join the team: regardless of continent or country, we have common goals and values — compassion, humanism, mutual support and assistance. We are confident that by joining forces, far more can be achieved," said Chair of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy and Head of Dobro.rf, Artyom Metelev.

Representatives of Belarus, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and South Africa took part in the founding congress of the International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organisations DOBRO. The congress concluded with a memorandum signed by the co-founders of the Association: Chair of the Council of the Dobro.rf Association and Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Artyom Metelev; Director for Platforms and Communities at the non-governmental organisation Associação Atados and member of the international #WEARETOGETHER community, Gabriel de Faro (Brazil); Director of the non-profit charitable organisation Elixir Foundation and Founding Director of the BRICS Youth Alliance, Madish Parikh (India); Deputy Executive Director of the National Volunteer Network of Kazakhstan, Gulzhamilya Kamarova; Deputy Chair of the Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan, Bekbolot Stalbekov; finalist of the International Prize #WEARETOGETHER and Director of the Goodsurfing Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation, Ilya Popov; Chair of the Association of Volunteer Organisations of Tajikistan, Zarnigor Radjabova; Head of the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan, Shirin Abidova; and Chief Operating Officer of the South African BRICS Youth Association, Kamvakazi Bongive Myataza (South Africa).