The International Volunteerism Association (IVA) is a not-for-profit social enterprise registered (to be) as a society with the Registry of Societies in Singapore.

It provides a platform for International Volunteer (IV) practitioners in Singapore to share with each other; their best practices, experiences, resources and information.

It recognises the value for IV personnel to be able to share their lessons and experiences to benefit and help other volunteers before they embark on International Volunteer missions and trips.

It promotes best practices and minimum standards for international volunteerism. What it does do is act as an enabler and facilitator for Singapore-based volunteer groups to improve their current volunteer standards and facilitate their progress in planning and carrying out international expeditions/trips. What it does not do is dictate how organisations should run their voluntary service. It is essentially a neutral platform to aid effective and sincere sharing among volunteers. IVA will not act as a referee between inter-organisational structure dynamics.

Other Services by IVA

Risk Management Consultancy: Provides an avenue towards risk management for new or existing IV agencies, so that knowledge gaps can be patched, and real risks reduced during project implementation.

Training: Provides training in the areas of managing and engaging volunteers, Project Design & Implementation; engaging overseas Partnership; Needs and Risk Assessment; and Social Community Learning.

Central Repository: Acts as a central repository for IV projects in Singapore providing resources, contacts, knowledge and experiences to be shared amongst IV practitioners and volunteer arms of organisations.

Disadvantaged Groups Support: Supports disadvantaged groups in overseas community service projects. It will encourage such groups and organisations to contribute to volunteering internationally.

Sustainability and Community Needs & Strengths Appraisals: Monitors and tracks the progress of these projects for sustainable issues and community needs for volunteer teams with ongoing projects.

Project Evaluation: Provides additional input for agencies to better design future programmes.

Accountability Audit: Performs an Audit role on behalf of agencies for independent accountability in cases where conflict of interest arises among agencies

Programme Effectiveness Consultancy: Provides consultancy services to evolving agencies to ensure future programmes are more effective.

In special circumstances, IVA can conceptualise, implement and evaluate customised programmes for agencies which are focused on a niche audience or subject domains, in view of integrating IV best practices at the point of programme design.

The IVA is a platform for IV practitioners to network, both locally and internationally.