Bengaluru: Green warriors, both online and offline, here’s your chance to make a tangible difference to the city you call home. All it takes is a little of your time and a walk to your neighbourhood park.The Times of Indiais launching #IamBengaluru – Volunteer for Parks, a citizen-led civic movement that aims to bring together Bengalureans to care for, maintain, and revitalise parks.For decades, TOI has gone beyond reporting the news to champion causes that drive positive civic action. Through campaigns on public safety, the environment, education and urban improvement, the newspaper has consistently informed, engaged, and inspired citizens to actively shape their city. #IamBengaluru is the next step in that journey.The initiative brings Bengaluru’s volunteering efforts onto a single platform, making it easier for citizens to discover meaningful opportunities to contribute. Through iambengaluru.co.in, residents can find volunteering activities near them and sign up in minutes, while NGOs and civic partners can mobilise volunteers more effectively.The campaign will be rolled out in phases, covering 300 parks in its first year and expanding to 900 over the next three years. It invites citizens, resident welfare associations, schools and colleges, youth groups, NGOs, corporates, civic bodies and institutions to work towards one common goal — greener, better-maintained neighbourhood parks.Aligned with Karnataka govt’s Brand Bengaluru vision, the initiative is supported by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), recognising that truly liveable cities are built not only through infrastructure and governance but also through active citizen participation, civic pride, and shared ownership of public spaces.Bengaluru is a fitting city to pilot the movement. Time and again, its citizens have come together to solve civic challenges, support social causes and strengthen communities. With the United Nations declaring 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), #IamBengaluru hopes to inspire more people to volunteer for a cleaner, greener, and more liveable city.Vivek Singhal, co-founder & CEO, Multigen, presenting partner of #IamBengaluru, said: “We develop properties, but great real estate can only thrive in a city that retains its soul. Bengaluru’s 1,300 parks are among its greatest public assets, and many residents are eager to contribute to their upkeep. #IamBengaluru provides a structured platform to turn that intent into collective action. This isn’t CSR; it’s recognising that sustainable urban growth is built on thriving neighbourhoods and civic pride.”Venkat Krishan N, principal trustee, India Welfare Trust, the initiative’s knowledge partner, said: “We strongly believe in the power of citizens coming together for their neighbourhoods. Local NGO partners bring domain expertise and commitment, TOI brings reach and communication, corporates bring resources, and govt brings authority. We’re delighted to have helped bring these stakeholders together for #IamBengaluru.”Join the movement by signing up for a park activity near you at iambengaluru.co.in.
