Batch 20 Volunteers
Momase Region Pre-Service Orientation
Mandate
National Volunteer Service of Papua New Guinea is a state Agency responsible in volunteer placement and volunteer management programs in communities around PNG.
Mission
To promote and support citizen participation in sustainable, people-centered development.
Vision
To be part of a nation-building driving the force instrumental in community empowerment in community development aimed at reducing inequality, dependency alleviating and poverty.
National Volunteer Service in Papua New Guinea
The National Volunteer Service (NVS), established under the National Volunteer Service Act of 1990, was created to institutionalize volunteerism as a cornerstone of socio-economic development in Papua New Guinea. Its mission is to embed the values of sacrifice, service, and civic responsibility into the national consciousness, while mobilizing the skills, labor, and expertise of citizens to support both community-driven initiatives and government development priorities. By doing so, NVS contributes to strengthening economic activity at the village and community levels, empowering grassroots development, and fostering inclusive national progress.
Beyond mobilization, the Service provides structured opportunities for volunteers to educate, train, and build capacity across diverse sectors. Volunteers act as agents of change, transferring knowledge, enhancing local skills, and demonstrating commitment to the nation’s long-term development goals. The NVS mandate also extends to cooperation with state agencies, provincial administrations, churches, and voluntary organizations within Papua New Guinea, while maintaining collaborative ties with international institutions to advance humanitarian objectives. In essence, NVS functions as a national framework to coordinate, empower, and integrate volunteer contributions into the broader development agenda, ensuring that volunteerism is not only recognized but strategically harnessed for nation-building.
Governance and Structure
NVS operates under the guidance of a Governing Council, which is composed of representatives from key government agencies, churches, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. This Council provides policy direction, oversight, and ensures that the Service remains aligned with national priorities. The Council reports directly to the Minister for Defence, reinforcing the Service’s role as a strategic partner in national development and security through community resilience and empowerment.
Professional Volunteerism and Organizational Divisions
At the heart of NVS’s agenda is the promotion of professional volunteerism, which emphasizes structured volunteer placement, management, and accountability. This approach ensures that volunteers are not only motivated by goodwill but also equipped with the necessary skills and frameworks to deliver measurable impact in their areas of service.
The organization is structured into five divisions, each responsible for implementing programs aligned with specific Key Result Areas (KRAs). These divisions collectively ensure that NVS’s operations are comprehensive, covering aspects such as volunteer recruitment and training, program development, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships and outreach, and administrative support. Through this divisional framework, NVS maintains efficiency, clarity of purpose, and adaptability to evolving national needs.
Key Statistics and Operational Priorities
The Outgoing Batch 19 marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts of the National Volunteer Service to mobilize citizens in support of Papua New Guinea’s development agenda. Building on this momentum, the organization has set ambitious operational priorities for 2026, reflecting its commitment to scale up volunteerism and strengthen institutional capacity.
Key priorities include:
- Recruitment and Deployment: Approximately 900 local volunteers will be recruited and placed across communities nationwide, alongside 10 international volunteers who will contribute specialized expertise and cross-cultural perspectives.
- National Volunteer Academy: The phased establishment of the Academy will serve as a central hub for training, professional development, and capacity-building, ensuring that volunteers are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to deliver meaningful impact.
- Strategic Partnerships: NVS will continue to strengthen collaboration with government agencies, churches, civil society organizations, the private sector, and development partners. These partnerships are essential for aligning volunteer interventions with national priorities and maximizing collective impact.
Targeted Volunteer Interventions
Volunteer programs in 2026 will be strategically directed toward priority sectors that are critical to Papua New Guinea’s socio-economic development:
- Agriculture – supporting food security, sustainable farming practices, and rural livelihoods.
- Health – assisting in community health awareness, basic service delivery, and capacity-building for local health workers.
- Education – enhancing literacy, numeracy, and vocational training, while supporting schools and community learning initiatives.
- Youth Development – empowering young people through skills training, leadership development, and employment pathways.
- Community Services – strengthening local governance, resilience, and social cohesion through grassroots initiatives.
These interventions are designed to contribute directly to the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV) outcomes, particularly in the areas of human capital development, skills transfer, and employment creation. By aligning volunteer efforts with national development strategies, NVS ensures that volunteerism remains a driving force for inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.
Economic Sector
Agriculture, Aqua Culture (fish farming), Fisheries, Forestry, Tourism and Financial Inclusion.
Social Sector
Health, Education (early childhood and adult literacy and primary education) and sports
Infrastructure
Transport, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Cross-cutting
Youth, Gender, HIV Aids, Vulnerable and Disadvantaged groups, Climate Change and Natural Disaster Management.
VOLUNTEER IMPACT STORIES
Agriculture Extension Officer - Cocoa Volunteer brings in K34, 000 to community
“Volunteering is incredibly rewarding! It allows me to make a real difference in my community,” says Steven. In 2016, he bought about 62,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings from Tavilo in East New Britain and brought them to Faiava village, Goodenough Island, where the cocoa project site was set up, and established a nursery where he later distributed to the locals.
Steven PESTO
Agriculture Extension Officer - Cocoa (VOLUNTEER)
From Home to Hope: How One Woman Turned Her Family House into a School for Generation
The Gaivakala Early Childhood School, home to 109 children aged 3 to 7, and the dream of one woman—
“I was troubled when I made the decision,” said Theresa, now 37. “I had so many questions—where would my family stay? How would we manage? But my heart for these children was stronger.”
Theresa Mari KALI
Elementary Teacher (VOLUNTEER)
An established fish farmer in Jiwaka will be working in the Central province to assist the locals in their fish farming project.
Ondkoi Teine from West Coast Kala in the Banz local level government of Jiwaka province has been a volunteer for over two years with the National Volunteer Services (NVS) and has recently been engaged to revive a fish farm in Inoma in the Rigo District of Central province.
A passionate agriculturist with a heart as vast as the fields he tends to, Samson Gaire harbors a dream of transforming his community through agriculture.
Samson is from Imuagoro village in the hinterlands of Rigo District, Central Province and is a committed volunteer attached with the National Volunteer Service (NVS).
Kum is already an outspoken volunteer and leader in the coffee processing and production in his community and LLG in Morobe Province. He currently has two brands of coffee; Alang and Turagu which is plans on taking with him to showcase in Athens in June(2023) to promote and showcase on behalf of his community and LLG.
latest News and Updates
K2.5 Milion MoA Signed between Central Governtment and National Volunteer Service of Papua New Guinea
Youth Engagement in Volunteerism
Young people are strongly encouraged to embrace volunteerism, as it plays a vital role in shaping responsible, skilled, and community-minded citizens. By participating in volunteer activities, youths gain invaluable life experiences that extend beyond the classroom. They develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, while also building confidence and resilience. These qualities not only prepare them for future employment but also enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Volunteerism strengthens communities by fostering collaboration and mutual support, while at the same time nurturing a sense of civic responsibility, social awareness, and national pride among young people. Through service, youths broaden their perspectives, learn to appreciate diversity, and cultivate empathy for others. They become empowered to take ownership of their communities, champion positive change, and actively participate in nation-building and sustainable development.
Moreover, youth volunteerism creates pathways for skills transfer and employability, linking young people to opportunities that enhance their career prospects. It also instills values of discipline, sacrifice, and commitment—qualities that are essential for building a strong and united Papua New Guinea. In this way, volunteerism is not only a personal growth journey for youths but also a strategic investment in the country’s future leadership and workforce.
Key Partners & Stakeholder
