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.
- 9
- founding organizations
- 8
- countries
- 3
- membership levels
- 2025
- year of establishment
About the International Association DOBRO
The International Association of Volunteer and Non-Profit Organizations DOBRO (International Association DOBRO) is a voluntary union of non-governmental organizations from different countries, operating on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and open dialogue.
The key goal of the Association is to build an international ecosystem that strengthens the capacity of non-profit and volunteer organizations, shares best practices and implements joint humanitarian and social projects.
The initiative was put forward by volunteers of the CIS countries following the Year of the Volunteer Movement in the CIS and was supported by other states. On 5 December 2025 in Moscow, representatives of nine organizations from eight countries signed the Memorandum on the Establishment of the Association. The DOBRO.RF Association acts as the depositary of the Memorandum.
Established
5 December 2025, Moscow
Status
Voluntary union of non-governmental organizations established by the Memorandum on the Establishment of the Association
Founders
9 organizations from 8 countries: Russia (2 founders — DOBRO.RF and Goodsurfing), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, South Africa, Brazil
Platform
Dobro.org — the official online platform of the Association for applications, communication and access to resources
Goals of the International Association DOBRO
International cooperation
Strengthening international cooperation in the humanitarian, social and educational spheres.
International dialogue
Maintaining dialogue to share experience and create joint humanitarian and social initiatives.
Best practices
Promoting best practices of the non-profit sector and volunteering.
Pooling resources
Pooling resources and exchanging experience between organizations of member countries.
Support for civil society
Supporting civil society institutions, protecting the rights and interests of NGOs and volunteers.
Professional competencies
Developing professional competencies and raising the quality of social initiatives.
Main areas of activity
International volunteering
Developing and promoting international volunteering and social responsibility.
Joint programs
Organizing joint humanitarian, social and educational programs.
Forums and festivals
Holding international forums, conferences and volunteer festivals.
Research and practices
Researching and disseminating best practices in volunteering and charity.
Volunteer training
Supporting programs for training volunteers and developing their leadership potential.
Digital tools
Developing digital tools for interaction and the international online cooperation platform Dobro.org.
Intercultural dialogue
Promoting intercultural dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding between peoples.
Founders of the International Association DOBRO
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 of the International Association DOBRO
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 International Association DOBRO
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
Organizational structure
Council of the International Association
Supreme collegial governing body: sets the strategy, approves the budget and plans, decides on admission and expulsion of members. Formed for 3 years from authorized representatives of member organizations.
Business Council
Collegial advisory body ensuring transparency and compliance of the Association's activities with international standards; independent of the executive bodies.
Chair of the Council
Highest official representing the Association internationally; signs official documents and agreements. Elected for 3 years.
Executive Director
Head of the Association's day-to-day operations, accountable to the Council. Elected for 3 years.
Project Office and Secretary
Permanent executive body: implements programs and projects, manages records and provides methodological support to members.
Working groups and the DOBRO Global Network
Working groups are created by the Council on thematic areas. The DOBRO Global Network — partners taking part in events without voting rights.
Why join the International Association DOBRO
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 Full Members).
Membership levels of the International Association DOBRO
Observer
For whom: Entry level for organizations interested in the Association's activities.
Rights
- Participation in open events of the Association (without voting rights)
- Access to the Association's information materials
- Guest participation in the next event while the application is under review
Obligations
- Appointing a responsible coordinator
- Promoting the Association's activities
- 12-month engagement roadmap
- Participation in at least 2 events per year
- At least 1 initiative under the auspices of the Association
- Short participation reports
Term: Up to 12 months; transition to another level on application
ApplyConsultative status
For whom: Organizations with proven local experience, ready for joint projects.
Rights
- Participation in Council and working group meetings (without voting rights)
- Access to the Association's extended resources
- All Observer rights
Obligations
- Appointing a responsible coordinator
- Promoting the Association's activities
- Organizing or co-organizing at least 3 events
- Providing venues for projects and events (on request)
- Engaging partners in events and projects (on request)
- Analytical and expert materials (on request)
Term: Up to 12 months; transition to another level on application
ApplyRecommended
Full Member
For whom: Mature organizations — leaders in their country or region (at least 2 recommendations).
Rights
- Voting rights at Council meetings
- Eligibility for the Council (if elected)
- Participation in the governance of the Association
- Access to all resources, platforms and knowledge bases
- Right to recommend other organizations for a status
Obligations
- Promoting the Association's projects and events
- Initiating international projects and partnerships (target — at least 3)
- Resource contribution as far as possible
- Co-branding — the Association's symbols at own events
- Mentoring organizations of lower membership levels
- Helping to attract new members
Term: Indefinite, subject to annual confirmation of activity
ApplyThe membership level is assigned by the Council directly based on the organization's experience and scale — passing through the levels in sequence is not required. All members submit an annual activity report by 1 March. See the Membership Regulations for details.
Who can join
- Registered non-profit, volunteer or charitable organization — in any country of the world
- Full commitment to the goals, values and ethical principles of the Association
- At least one full financial year of activity with confirmed track record (reports, publications, partnerships)
- Signing the Declaration of Commitment to the Values of the International Association DOBRO
- Readiness to contribute to the Association's activities in line with the membership level
- Commercial, governmental and political entities are not admitted
How to join the International Association DOBRO
- 1
Application campaign
Applications are accepted once a year; the dates are published on the website at least 30 days before the start.
- 2
Submit an application
Form on Dobro.org (RU/EN), registration documents, annual report, financial statements, motivation letter, Declaration of Commitment to Values.
- 3
Desk review
The project office and the Executive Director review the documents; additional materials or an online interview may be requested.
- 4
Council decision
The Council assigns the status by a qualified majority (at least 2/3). Full Membership requires at least 2 recommendations.
- 5
Notification
Review takes up to 6 months after the campaign closes. In case of refusal, a reasoned reply is sent within 30 working days.
- 6
Onboarding
Certificate, Welcome pack, access to resources and the contacts of a project office coordinator.
Documents
Memorandum on the Establishment of the International Association DOBROPDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Action Plan of the International Association DOBRO for 2026PDF · EN · Updated 11 June 2026Membership Regulations of the International Association DOBROPDF · RU · document in Russian · Updated 28 August 2026Admission Procedure for New Member OrganizationsPDF · RU · document in Russian · Updated 28 August 2026Declaration of Commitment to Values (form)PDF · RU · document in Russian · Updated 28 August 2026Fact Sheet on the International Association DOBROPDF · RU · document in Russian · Updated 28 August 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
On 5 December 2025 in Moscow, representatives of nine organizations from eight countries signed the Memorandum on the Establishment of the International Association DOBRO.
Read more →Frequently asked questions
Registered non-profit, volunteer and charitable organizations from any country that share the Association's values and have at least one full financial year of activity. Commercial, governmental and political entities are not admitted.
Join the International Association DOBRO — a community of organizations changing the world for the better
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Project office: dobro.int.association@gmail.com