Every year, Global Volunteer Month — an initiative to celebrate volunteers worldwide — shines a light on people who contribute their expertise, their compassion and their time to help others. When this happens, even small acts can have an extraordinary impact.

In 2025, NTT DATA’s global community once again demonstrated what it means to turn intent into action. Across regions, cultures and time zones, our colleagues came together to support their local communities and one another.

The results speak for themselves:

  • 72 events in 23 countries
  • More than 2,700 participants
  • More than 5,000 volunteer hours served
  • More than 11,470 people meaningfully affected

Every activity — from donating blood, planting trees and assembling wheelchairs to cooking meals for families, rehabilitating wildlife and mentoring young women in science, technology, engineering and math — represented commitment, hope and the best of humanity in action.

Nurturing seedlings in the Philippines to support reforestation

Nurturing seedlings in the Philippines to support reforestation

Why we volunteer

More than a corporate initiative, volunteering allows us to contribute to society. Whether they’re building food security, supporting education, protecting biodiversity or improving digital inclusion, our volunteers help solve real challenges, one action at a time:

  • Our colleagues in India created more than 11,000 bokashi balls — tennis-ball-sized clumps of clay, organic matter and microorganisms — to deploy in the rehabilitation of polluted lakes.
  • In Germany, teams mapped out more than 5,000 buildings to help humanitarian organizations respond faster to emergencies.
  • Volunteers in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand prepared more than 10,000 meals for people in need.
  • Teams in the Philippines nurtured 800 seedlings to help reforest the local landscape.
  • In Colombia, volunteers brought moments of joy to children undergoing cancer treatment.

All of these events, no matter how big or small, made a difference.

NTT DATA’s team in Singapore, with representatives of the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore

NTT DATA’s team in Singapore, with representatives of the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore

What volunteering gives back

Our collective efforts help address urgent social needs such as food insecurity, inequality, lack of access to education and environmental degradation. By partnering with NGOs, schools, shelters and communities, we support those who need it most.

But volunteering enriches the lives of NTT DATA’s employees, too:

  • “Being able to give something back to my community, even in a small way, was incredibly rewarding. Sometimes a simple act can make a big difference.” — Matthew Poulton, UK
  • “Global Volunteer Month is a timely reminder that while themed campaigns help create momentum, volunteering can happen any day, in small and practical ways. Support doesn’t always require large gestures — sometimes it starts with everyday choices.” — Catherine Tan, Singapore
  • “I think it’s important to give back to our community. Even a single day of volunteering can make a difference.” — Mia Reid, UK
  • “Many people doing small things can change the world.” — Carolina Gómez, Spain

Engaged employees are creative employees

From the simple act of donating blood to mentoring young girls in technology, our employees have described their volunteering experiences as rewarding, inspiring and transformative.

Volunteering strengthens our identity as an organization that cares. It deepens employee engagement, builds pride, strengthens teams and attracts talented people who want purpose in their work.

When our employees feel connected to something larger than their roles, they bring that energy, creativity and commitment back into their teams and their dealings with clients, demonstrating that purpose drives performance.

A year-round focus on making a difference

Global Volunteer Month may come around only once every 12 months, but volunteering is something we value throughout the year.

As one colleague in the US, Sean Gribbon, put it: “People need to know they have a voice and that there are people who care enough to speak up for them. Volunteering lets me put compassion into action and reminds communities that they are seen, valued and supported.”

The success of this year’s volunteering campaign is down to the passion of our employees and the strength of our corporate culture. We’ll keep building on this momentum and taking every opportunity to make a difference.

Main image: NTT DATA volunteers in Australia preparing food for FareShare, a charity kitchen.

WHAT TO DO NEXT
Read more about NTT DATA’s sustainability strategy to see how we transform organizations and industries to create a better world for all.