Who we are
Sending aid is good, lasting change is better. That's why VSO Ireland supports education, health and livelihood experts around the world. As a proud Irish charity, we specifically work with some of the poorest and most marginalised people and communities in some of the world's poorest places.
VSO Ireland empowers people and communities to play a more active role in their own development. We value inclusion, empowerment, ownership and active participation to deliver long-term change.
VSO Ireland is part of the international VSO family. For over 60 years, VSO has worked in over 90 countries and with over 80,000 local, national and international volunteers to support over 50 million people.
VSO International impact 2022/23
Over 3.2 million were reached through our education projects.
Almost 200,000 people were reached through our resilient livelihoods programme.
Almost 90,000 people were reached through our health projects.
Over 87,000 through our wider work on resilience, inclusion and social accountability.
Promoting sustainable development in Ireland
At VSO Ireland we believe that progress is only possible when we work together. We partner with umbrella groups in the development sector to ensure our communications materials portray the people we work with overseas with dignity and enhance awareness of development issues amongst the general public.
We are proud members of Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations, and signatories of the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Messages and Images. We are also a member of Comhlámh, a membership and supporter organisation for volunteers and development workers.
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Vision, values and strategy
Our purpose is to create lasting change through volunteering. We bring about change not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers and partners to empower people living in the some of the world’s poorest and most overlooked regions.
How VSO Ireland is funded
Our work would not be possible without funding and support from a range of partnerships. From Irish Aid, trusts, foundations and private companies, to the general public we remain grateful for all funding received through the years.
Structure and governance of VSO Ireland
VSO is governed by VSO Ireland's Board of Directors. They set the direction and purpose of the charity and ensure alignment with VSO International. We are committed to best practice in our governance and transparency.
VSO Ireland annual report
This year, many of the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were gradually lifted. For countries and communities already facing considerable challenges, there is a huge job to be done to make up lost ground in health, education, and livelihoods.