Who we are
Sending aid is good, lasting change is better. That's why VSO Ireland supports education and livelihood experts around the world. As a proud Irish charity, we advance education and help people living in poverty earn a decent living.
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 65 years, VSO has worked in over 90 countries and with over 100,000 local, national and international volunteers to support over 85 million people.
VSO International impact 2022 to present
Using our current strategy (2022-28), VSO has reached 24.8 million people, including over 20.6 million indirectly and nearly 4.2 million directly.
Nearly 3.6 million were reached through our education projects.
Over 400,000 people were reached through our resilient livelihoods programme.
Almost 200,000 people were reached through our health projects.
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.
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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.