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Volunteering / exchanges - European (EU)

Interested in learning new skills while helping others? Volunteering introduces you to new people and cultures, giving you invaluable experience that will enhance or influence your future career.

You can do it abroad or nearer to home. The websites listed on this page will open your eyes to the many European and international opportunities for volunteer work that exist: European Voluntary Service (EVS), Youth Exchanges and Work Camps.

Worldwide volunteer abroad

Looking to volunteer abroad in your gap year? This site will help you find a programme (and accommodation) in China, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Thailand or Vietnam.

http://www.worldwidelanguagestudy.com/index.html [EN]

Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations

This group represents national bodies that run international voluntary projects. The site includes a detailed presentation of the network and a useful list of its members.

http://www.alliance-network.eu [EN]

Association of Voluntary Service Organisations

Information on all member bodies dealing with voluntary service programmes in Europe.

http://www.avso.org [EN]

Creative Corners: new agency for creative volunteering

Through this site, volunteers with creative skills (from any country) can apply for projects in South and Central America.

http://www.creative-corners.com [EN][ES]

Cross-Cultural Organisation

Independent, non-profit organisation coordinating volunteer programmes in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania and Thailand.

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/ [EN]

Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency web site

Information and direct access to EU programmes on education, culture and audiovisual.

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm [EN]

European Volunteer Centre

European umbrella organisation of National and Regional Volunteer Centres across Europe, which promotes volunteering Europe wide. It provides information on developments within the EU.

http://www.cev.be/index.htm [EN][FR]

Eurotope.net

This site is built around the experiences of young volunteers from all over Europe. It gives tips on tackling environmental problems, improving quality of life, contacting others and sharing ideas. Anyone can participate by posting questions, comments or ideas.

http://www.eurotope.net/ [EN]

GapGuru.com

Look here to create the perfect gap year programme. Behind it, there is a young, dynamic, specialist team of committed professionals with relevant management expertise and a thorough understanding of business and the volunteering sector. The projects they offer could be based on adventure and activity, arts and heritage, leisure and lifestyle, wildlife and safaris. It is up to you to choose what suits you best!

http://www.gapguru.com [EN]

Global Volunteer Network

Apply online for volunteer positions in China, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Thailand and Uganda.

http://www.volunteer.org.nz/ [EN]

GreatGapYears

A reference site for planning your gap year, with tips on staying safe. Practical advice and articles on voluntary work, paid work and gap-year travels in general.

http://www.greatgapyears.co.uk [EN]

Greenpeace

Volunteers always welcome! Help out Greenpeace campaigns via your computer by signing up as a cyber-activist. Information about the group’s activities.

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/about/volunteers [EN]

Info about the Youth in Action Programme

Find detailed information about the new EU Youth in Action programme, with downloadable application forms.

http://www.moduleinternational.net/int/youth-in-action/guide/index.html [EN]

International Cultural Youth Exchange

Non-profit, international youth organisation coordinating youth exchange and voluntary service programmes in 34 countries worldwide. Volunteer placements are usually in social work, education, youth work, health education and environmental work. Site has a searchable database of placements.

http://www.icye.org [EN]

International Volunteer Programs Association

Search for opportunities online and read the practical general information and advice on volunteering. Subscribe to the newsletter (one every two months).

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/ [EN]

OXFAM

Practical information on how to get involved, through voluntary opportunities with Oxfam International or one of its affiliates.

http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/volunteer [EN][FR][ES]

One World Action

This organisation is working for a world free from poverty and oppression. Visit the website to see the latest opportunities for prospective volunteers. The newsletters are available in pdf format.

http://www.oneworldaction.org/ [EN]

Oneworld

Opportunities for voluntary work in human rights, the environment and sustainable development. Register to receive the latest vacancies by email.

http://www.oneworld.net/job/search/?Volunteer=1&Search=Search&RestrictPacka [EN]

Online Volunteering Service

This site is for volunteers who want to get involved in a development project without leaving home, and for organisations looking for online volunteers around the world. Here you will find translated documents, articles, data and projects for helping people and communities in the developing world.

http://www.onlinevolunteering.org [EN][FR][ES]

Service Civil International

Voluntary short- and long-term projects worldwide, information on organisations dealing with them, and many useful links and documents. Subscribe to email lists for the programmes that interest you.

http://www.sciint.org [EN]

Toolkit: Measuring volunteering

A resource that helps countries take stock of volunteer resources at national, regional and local level. The kit is available in English, French, Spanish and Korean.

http://www.independentsector.org/programs/research/toolkit/default.html [EN]

Training information - International voluntary service

A training kit (T-Kit 5) for trainers and young people interested or already involved in international voluntary activities

http://www.youth-partnership.net/youth-partnership/publications/T-kits/T_ki [EN]

United Nations Volunteers

An open door to opportunities with UN Volunteers and like-minded organisations around the world. Learn more about your volunteer options and how to apply. Read about the experiences of former volunteers.

http://www.unv.org/ [EN]

Voluntary Worker

Site to help you find information and advice on voluntary work all over the world – at any age.

http://www.voluntaryworker.co.uk [EN]

Volunteer Abroad

Interested in volunteering? All you need to know about volunteering including how to get started. Links to many other sites with useful information.

http://www.volunteerabroad.com/ [EN]

WorkingAbroad

An independent organisation offering volunteering opportunities around the world. Visit the volunteer section of the website for details, fill in the online application form or read volunteers’ stories.

http://www.workingabroad.com [EN][FR]

World volunteers

A resource for students or people with no previous experience who are interested in volunteering in a developing country for an interesting vacation or unique gap year. Useful guides list hundred of projects throughout the world in different fields. The choice ranges from archaeological, heritage conservation and green projects to humanitarian work camps.

http://www.worldvolunteers.org [EN][FR][IT]

Worldwide Experience

Looking for the most amazing gap year, summer break or sabbatical opportunities on offer? This organisation is specialised in conservation placements in Africa. Its programmes run from 2 weeks to 3 months and are located in amazing countries like South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Scotland and Sri Lanka. Placement types include conservation on land and at sea, plus various teaching and community projects.

http://www.worldwideexperience.com/gapyear [EN]

Worldwide volunteer directory

A directory of current volunteering opportunities in different countries.

http://www.planetedu.com/category/volunteer/ [EN]

Youth Action for Peace

International exchanges of volunteers into non-profit initiatives, and links to international youth organisations.

http://www.yap.org [EN]

Youth Challenge International

Looking for a challenge? Here you can join one of the adventurous projects combining community development, health work and environmental research carried out by teams of volunteers aged 18-30.

http://www.yci.org [EN]

Youth in Action: youth exchanges and European Voluntary Service (EVS)

Youth in Action supports exchanges and youth initiatives and encourages young people's participation in democratic life. EVS gives young people between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity to take part in a voluntary activity abroad that benefits the general public.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm [EN]