THE youth volunteer movement in Penang has grown by over 25% in just over a year.
The number of registered volunteers under the Penang Youth Volunteer (PYV) initiative rose from 8,000 in June 2025 to over 10,000 by July this year.
State youth committee chairman Daniel Gooi said this year, allocation for the Youth Development Fund had risen from RM100,000 to RM200,000.
PYV operates under Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), a state government agency.
“This reflects the state government’s commitment to supporting more youth-led initiatives and encouraging greater community participation,” he said.
The fund is an initiative under the state’s youth, sports and health portfolio and administered by the PYDC.
It was also set up to support eligible youth organisations and associations to conduct programmes in areas such as volunteerism, leadership, skills development and community participation.
Gooi said the state had over 400 registered youth associations involved in community and volunteer activities.
There are also other volunteer initiatives, such as Relanita by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), the Welfare Department’s Sukarelawan Mutiara, and volunteer groups under various government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community associations, religious organisations, and grassroots groups.
Gooi said volunteerism in Penang, especially among the youth, was gaining momentum with more contributing their time, skills and energy to their communities.
“The growing participation reflects a willingness among people to make a difference when they are given the right platforms and opportunities,” he said, adding that PYV brought together students, young professionals and people from diverse backgrounds.
“The initiative’s reach reflects a growing understanding that volunteering is not something reserved for school or university students.
“People can give back at different stages of their lives, whether through a few hours of their time, their professional skills or simply a willingness to lend a helping hand.”
Gooi said that through PYV, volunteer activities spanned seven broad areas in Penang – community programmes, environmental awareness, charity and community welfare, arts and culture, sports, and disaster relief.
“For many young people, volunteering offers more than an opportunity to help others.
“It also provides a chance to learn, build confidence, develop leadership and communication skills, and form new friendships and connections.
“The growing visibility of volunteer opportunities through social media has also made it easier for people to discover ways to get involved and see the difference their contributions can make,” he added.
PYDC’s focus, Gooi said, was not only about increasing the number of registered volunteers, but on creating meaningful experiences where they could contribute, learn, connect and grow.
The state, through PYV, also provided opportunities for young people to gain practical experience while taking part in community work, he said.
Training and capacity-building programmes, including leadership camps, first aid and disaster preparedness courses, are organised to equip volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to respond when help is needed.
“Volunteers are also recognised through appreciation programmes, including the Majlis Apresiasi Sukarelawan Belia Pulau Pinang, in recognition of those who have consistently given their time and effort.
“Looking ahead, we want to shift the focus from simply recruiting more volunteers, to matching them more effectively with community needs.
“Through a more structured volunteer ecosystem, PYDC aims to identify the different talents and interests within the youth community and connect them with organisations and causes that can benefit from their skills,” said Gooi.
“The goal is to make volunteering easier to find and join, while ensuring volunteers receive appropriate training and opportunities that match their interests and abilities.
“Ultimately, PYDC hopes volunteering will become more than a one-off activity for young people, and instead develop into a lasting habit of caring for their communities.
“After all, a helping hand does not always have to be grand.
“Sometimes it begins with a young person simply seeing a need and choosing to step forward,” he said.
