The CEV Autumn Volunteering Congress 2026 will take place in Brussels on 15 and 16 October, bringing together organisations, networks and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss current challenges and opportunities for volunteering.
Organised by the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), the annual congress will provide a space for exchange between organisations working to strengthen volunteering and civic participation across Europe. The programme combines policy discussions, practical sessions, project updates and opportunities for networking.
The first day will include sessions focusing on inclusive volunteering and volunteer management, including activities linked to TEAM IV, which explores inclusive volunteer mentoring, and UVMIS, with the presentation of policy recommendations and discussions on volunteer management in sport. The programme also includes contributions from European stakeholders and personal testimonies on volunteering and inclusion.
Another part of the congress will focus on the European Volunteering Capital initiative. The programme will include presentations from the European Volunteering Capital 2026, Maia, and the 2027 Capital, County Clare, as well as presentations from the municipalities competing for the 2028 European Volunteering Capital title: Lleida in Spain, Odder in Denmark, Pilsen in Czechia and Reggio Emilia in Italy.
The congress will also feature updates from IVY 2026, with contributions from a range of European countries, including Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain.
On the inclusion side, TEAM IV will offer breakout sessions on Inclusive Volunteer Mentoring in several languages, including English, Spanish, Bulgarian and Italian. The programme will also address volunteering in sport through sessions examining the role of sports volunteer managers, culturally sensitive and inclusive participation, solidarity and European values, as well as volunteering at sports events.
Beyond the sessions themselves, the congress is intended to strengthen connections between volunteer centres, civil society organisations, public authorities and other actors involved in developing volunteering across Europe. The event will provide an opportunity to share experiences and approaches while examining how volunteering can contribute to more inclusive and participatory societies.
The CEV Autumn Volunteering Congress 2026 will be held at the Centre de Congrès Amazone and Mundo Madou in Brussels.
Find here the programme and registration form.
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