5 December 2026 · #forum
International Forum of Civil Participation #WEARETOGETHER 2026
Association members will take part in the forum in Moscow. Registration is open on dobro.org.
Read more →International Association DOBRO
International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organizations DOBRO
An international network of civil society organizations for sharing experience, building partnerships and implementing joint humanitarian initiatives.
- 8
- founding organizations
- 7
- countries
- 3
- membership levels
- 2025
- year of establishment
About the Association
The International Association DOBRO brings together volunteer and non-profit organizations from different countries around a shared idea: kindness as a norm of life and cooperation as a way to solve social problems.
The Association was initiated by the DOBRO.RF ecosystem and partner organizations from the CIS, BRICS, Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is a platform for exchanging practices, launching joint humanitarian and educational projects and representing civil society organizations internationally.
TODO: final text to be provided by the project office.
Established
5 December 2025
(date to be confirmed)
Status
International association of civil society organizations
Founders
8 organizations from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, South Africa and Brazil
Geography
CIS, BRICS, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Europe
Mission and goals
International cooperation
Building sustainable ties between organizations across countries and regions.
Exchange of best practices
Sharing proven models of volunteering, fundraising and community work.
Support for volunteering
Developing volunteer infrastructure and recognition of volunteers.
Civil society development
Strengthening the capacity of NGOs and community initiatives.
Joint humanitarian projects
Coordinated response and humanitarian missions.
Professional development of NGOs
Training, mentoring and educational programs for teams.
Areas of activity
International volunteering
Volunteer exchange programs and joint missions on the dobro.org platform.
Humanitarian projects
Aid delivery, emergency response and long-term support programs.
Educational programs
Schools, courses and mentoring for NGO leaders and volunteers.
International forums and conferences
#WEARETOGETHER International Forum and regional events.
Research and analytics
Studies of volunteering and civil society across member countries.
Digital cooperation
Shared digital services, data and tools for members.
Founding organizations
DOBRO.RF Association
Russia
About the organization
DOBRO.RF Association is the largest community of volunteer centres, NGOs and social development institutions in Russia; it runs the DOBRO.RU platform (9.6M users) and the #WEARETOGETHER movement.
Goodsurfing
Russia
About the organization
Goodsurfing is a federal non-profit platform turning volunteering into meaningful travel since 2018: it connects volunteers with projects in nature reserves, museums, festivals and expeditions in Russia and abroad (GoodSurfing.org).
National Volunteer Network of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
About the organization
The National Volunteer Network of Kazakhstan (est. 2012) develops volunteering, coordinates nationwide projects and volunteer infrastructure; runs the Birgemiz front office and 17 regional centres (240,000+ volunteers).
Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
About the organization
The Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan brings together young people and volunteer initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic (description to be provided).
Volunteers Association of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
About the organization
The Volunteers Association of Uzbekistan (est. 2020) unites 250+ initiatives and 100,000+ volunteers, coordinates volunteer programs, protects volunteers' rights and cooperates with government, business and society.
Association of Volunteer Organizations of Tajikistan (AVOT)
Tajikistan
About the organization
The Association of Volunteer Organizations of Tajikistan unites volunteers for social, humanitarian and environmental projects, supports youth initiatives and cooperates with the state and international organizations.
Elixir Foundation
India
About the organization
Elixir Foundation is an Indian youth organization founded by winners of the President's Award; since 2015 it has inspired over a million young people through leadership, health, education, digital skills and environmental programs.
South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA)
South Africa
About the organization
SABYA (est. 2018) engages BRICS youth in sustainable development and innovation, organizes forums including the BRICS Youth Innovation Summit and works with the South African government and the National Youth Development Agency.
Atados Association
Brazil
About the organization
Atados is a Brazilian civil society organization promoting volunteering and social participation; its online platform connects 300,000 volunteers with 5,000 NGOs across the country.
Governing bodies
Chair of the Council
Zarnigor Rajabzoda
Head of the Association of Volunteer Organizations of Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Executive Director
Andrey Pysin
Deputy Chairman of the Council, DOBRO.RF Association
Russia
Council of the Association
Artem Metelev
Chairman of the Council, DOBRO.RF Association; Member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
Russia
Ilya Popov
Head of Goodsurfing
Russia
Madish Parikh
Director, Elixir Foundation
India
Gulzhamilya Kamarova
Deputy Executive Director, National Volunteer Network of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Raymond Matlala
Executive Director, South African BRICS Youth Association
South Africa
Bekbolot Stalbekov
Deputy Chairman, Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Shirin Abidova
Head of the Volunteers Association of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Gabriel de Faro
Director of Platforms and Communities, Associação Atados
Brazil
Why join
International partnership
Direct contacts with organizations in dozens of countries.
International projects
Participation in joint programs and missions.
Expert community
Access to experts and peer learning.
Best practices
Library of cases, methodologies and tools.
Working groups
Thematic groups on volunteering, humanitarian aid, digital tools.
Promotion of initiatives
Visibility of your projects on international platforms.
International representation
A voice in international dialogue on volunteering.
Governance
Participation in Association governance (for eligible statuses).
Membership levels
Observer
For whom: Organizations getting to know the Association; young NGOs (1+ year).
Rights
- Access to information materials and open events
- Participation in webinars
- Newsletter
Obligations
- Share the Association's values
- Provide basic information about the organization
- Confirm status annually
No fee (draft)
ApplyConsultative status
For whom: Experienced organizations ready for expert participation.
Rights
- All Observer rights
- Participation in working groups and expert councils
- Advisory vote; right to propose initiatives
- Listing on the Association website
Obligations
- Participation in at least one working group or project per year
- Short annual report
To be confirmed
ApplyRecommended
Full Member
For whom: Established organizations with international experience (2 recommendations).
Rights
- All Consultative rights
- Voting rights in governing bodies
- Right to elect and be elected to the Council
- Use of the Association mark
- Priority in joint projects
Obligations
- Participation in the General Meeting
- Compliance with the Charter and Council decisions
- Annual report
- Membership fee (if established)
To be confirmed
ApplyLevel descriptions are drafts and are subject to approval by the Council.
Who can join
- Registered non-profit organization
- Volunteer or charitable organization / public association
- At least one year of activity
- Implemented projects
- Commitment to the values of the International Association
- Readiness to participate in joint activities
How to join
- 1
Submit an application
Fill in the form and upload documents.
- 2
Document review
The project office checks completeness and eligibility.
- 3
Interview
Online meeting with an Association representative.
- 4
Council review
The application is submitted to the next Council meeting.
- 5
Decision
Notification of the decision by email.
- 6
Certificate & Welcome Pack
Electronic certificate, Association mark, access to resources.
Documents
Memorandum of Establishment of the International Association DOBROPDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Action Plan of the International Association for 2026PDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Membership Regulations and Admission ProcedurePDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Declaration of Commitment to Values (template)PDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Association Fact SheetPDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026
Association news
All news →11 June 2026 · #association
Action Plan for 2026 approved
The Council approved the plan of joint activities for 2026.
Read more →5 December 2025 · #association
International Association DOBRO established
Organizations from eight countries signed the Memorandum of Establishment (date to be confirmed).
Frequently asked questions
Registered non-profit, volunteer or charitable organizations and public associations with at least one year of activity and implemented projects.
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Project office: association@dobro.org