17 international (no cost) volunteer programs

It’s no secret that international volunteering programs are an excellent way to kick-start your global development career. But in recent years, international volunteering has become a controversial topic of discussion. A growing number of for-profit companies are offering costly, short-term volunteer trips — and their effectiveness and ethics have come under scrutiny. Volunteering is a great way to gain in-the-field experience, see first-hand how charities are run, and meet people already working in the industry. But it’s also important to do something worthwhile that shows potential employers that you chose the volunteer scheme carefully. Here is a list of volunteer opportunities that do not charge for participation and provide worthwhile assistance to the communities hosting them. All Hands Volunteers As a disaster response nonprofit, All Hands Volunteers, work in areas affected by natural disasters across the U.S. and globally. They go to areas where disasters have hit, speak with local people to understand how best to respond, and provide assistance as a result of that assessment. They offer immediate clean-up response, as well as longer term help to rebuild the essential necessities such as homes, schools, and community centers. Requirements: Over 18 years of age, regardless of previous experience, although it’s important to note the work is physical labor. Length of assignment: No minimum or maximum amount of time Financial and other support: Accommodation and local meals on work days; on-the-job training. Atlantic Council for International Cooperation The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation offers internships in 16 countries funded by the Canadian government department, Global Affairs Canada. The internships are designed for post-secondary graduates to enhance their employability and support sustainable international development initiatives. They work to secure the future of children and youth, stimulating sustainable economic growth and increasing food security. Requirements: Canadian citizens, post-secondary graduate, between 18-30, legally allowed to work in Canada, and not have partaken in the internship program before. Length of assignment: 7 months (up to 4 weeks in Canada and a minimum of 24 weeks abroad) Financial and other support: Interns are paid monthly stipends between $1000 - $1500, depending on the cost of living in the host location. Visas, health costs (up to $400), international flights, and transport to the host organization are also covered by ACIC. Accommodation, local travel, and living costs within the host country, however, are not included. Australian Volunteers Program The Australian government has instigated a new 10-year volunteer program as of 2018 based on improvements to the previous program. It uses overseas volunteering to connect Australians of all backgrounds and contribute to the government’s aid objectives. They offer positions across a broad range of sectors, from communications and media to agriculture and law and justice. Requirements: Australian citizens or permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens permanently residing in Australia. Skilled volunteers either with qualifying degrees or relevant experience in your field. Experience mentoring or training others and working in a team. Enthusiasm or experience to work cross-culturally. Length of assignment: 3-18 months Financial and other support: Return airfares; visas; medical insurance and vaccinations; modest living allowances, and four weeks annual leave; accommodation; support for partners and/or dependents; disability support; 24 hour medical and counseling support; resettlement allowance. Global Communities With programs in 28 countries and over 15 years of experience, Global Communities provides assistance through their two successful programs. Their Visiting International Professionals (VIP) Program takes on experienced professionals to share their technical know-how and expertise to those in developing communities. They have had a great range of volunteers from bankers to congresswomen taking part. The second is the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA). Initiated by USAID in 2004, various organizations comprise VEGA as a membership organization. You can see more details about VEGA’s volunteer opportunities below. The following details are therefore more specifically for the VIP Program volunteers. Requirements: Technically skilled volunteers with a minimum of five years’ experience. Length of assignment: 2-12 weeks Financial and other support: Round-trip coach airfare, passport and visas, lodging, meals and incidentals, immunizations, supplemental health insurance, and emergency medical evacuation if required. CUSO International CUSO International has a variety of volunteer programs, including corporate, e-volunteering, and international volunteer programs. The international opportunities are located across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The international opportunities range from resource management to business expertise to civil society. Requirements: Skilled professionals with a recognized qualification, medical and criminal records clearances, and willingness to learn the local language at an intermediate level. Length of assignment: 6-24 months Financial and other support: Travel and accommodation (including return flights), immunizations, anti-malarials, health insurance, and living allowance. European Solidarity Corps The European Solidarity Corps was launched as the newest volunteer initiative for EU youth in Dec. 2016. It’s a pool of young people in the EU who have registered their interest to volunteer abroad. The ECS also has a database of volunteering projects that have been checked and authorized. These projects then use the database to search for volunteers. The ESC assists volunteers financially to carry out the volunteer work, but other organizations arrange the volunteer activities. Requirements: Age 17-30, be a legal resident or have the nationality of one of the European Union Member States, or of: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey, or the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Individual projects may also have their own additional criteria. Length of assignment: 2-12 months Financial and other support: Dependent on the project but usually includes return travel, accommodation, meals, and medical insurance. Relevant training before and after you arrive on site. France Volontaires France Volontaires is a member of the French institution, Volunteer Agency Civic Service, who provide international volunteer opportunities for French citizens. They have run the Le Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI) program since 2005 and has 25 authorized organizations sending volunteers. The volunteer roles are to provide leadership, advice, support, and training for various programs across: agricultural and craft products; local, regional, and group development; planning, construction, and hydraulics; professional training and company structure; strengthening of community life; health and prevention; support for people in difficulty; and the environment. The majority of volunteers go to French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa, although there are also many others across the globe. Requirements: No specific requirements but most volunteers are between 18-40 years of age and qualified professionals. Different projects require different skills. Length of assignment: 1-2 years Financial and other support: The French government, as well as sending organization, provide assistance in sending the volunteer abroad. The French government contributes to the training, management, and return of volunteers, while the sending organization provides: a monthly indemnity (100 euros minimum excluding accommodation and meals); complete health and social protection; old-age insurance; travel expenses to and from the location of the mission; preparation before departure and support on return from the mission; a resettlement indemnity (subject to the condition of length of stay); and two days minimum of leave per month if the contract is for six months or more. Fredskorpset Norway FK Norway send around 600 volunteers on an employee exchange every year with countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Volunteers are responsible for finding their own exchange partner with the same job role or membership organization in a partner country (although FK Norway may be able to assist). They promote global equality through exchange between Norwegian academics and professionals with those in developing countries and also fund South-South exchanges. Their main priorities lie in education, health, private sector, and civil society. Requirements: Citizen of Norway or one of specified partnering countries, exchange partner must also be from one of these countries. Successful application of feasibility study. Length of assignment: 3-12 months Financial and other support: Moderate salary, travel, accommodation, and insurance expenses. They will also pay the cost of a language course. Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA has three programs for Japanese citizens who wish to volunteer in the economic and social development of developing countries: JOVCs, Senior Volunteers, and Volunteers for Nikkei (Japanese descendant) Communities. The latter includes a special program aimed at teachers to teach Japanese in descendant communities across Latin America. Volunteers provide teaching and training to people and students working in the same sector in developing countries. They recruit twice a year in spring and autumn for projects across eight sectors and numerous further sub-sectors. Since the program first began in 1965, JICA has sent over 48,000 volunteers to projects in 96 different countries and regions. Requirements: Experienced volunteers in the sectors of education, medical care, sports, business, agriculture, public works, and manufacturing. Application process involves technical and linguistic skills assessments and health determined by document submissions, a written exam, and personal interviews. JOCVs (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers): Targeted at 20-39 year olds. Senior Volunteers: 40-69 year olds. Volunteers for Nikkei Communities: Open to both youth and senior volunteers. Length of assignment: 2 years Financial and other support: Pre-departure training (including intensive host-country language training); special employment quotas for returned volunteers; international airfare; travel, accommodation, and living expenses while in Japan. Moving Worlds Moving Worlds connects expert volunteers with projects needing assistance across the globe. While they do charge a one-off membership joining fee, it is used to match you with appropriate opportunities, pre-trip training, and an on-call support team. Their partner organizations request volunteers for an array of different job roles and skills, from advertising and design to data scientists and nurses. Requirements: Any business, professional, or technical skills. Length of assignment: Varies from 1 week virtual assignments to 2 years on the ground Financial and other support: Dependent on project but many provide food and accommodation. Peace Corps Founded by President John F. Kennedy over 50 years ago, the Peace Corps is a United States government-run volunteer service, set up when Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country by living and working in developing countries. With the mission to promote world peace, they’ve provided services in 150 different countries. They offer placements in agriculture, environment, health, youth in development, community economic development, and education. Requirements: U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, ready to depart in 9-12 months. Length of assignment: 2 years, plus 3 months of training Financial and other support: Housing and a living stipend; over $8,000 (pre-tax) on completion to help with the transition to life back home; return travel to host country; two paid vacation days per month; medical and dental care; rigorous technical training (including language); career support on return home. As well as the main Peace Corps volunteers program, Peace Corps also offer a small percentage of short-term, high-impact assignments (3-12 months) and specialized health service assignments (1 year). United Nations Volunteers UN Volunteers promote peace and development across the globe. Volunteers sign up to become part of a talent pool and are then matched with projects run by U.N. partner agencies. There are around 2,000 assignments each year and volunteers come from 160 different countries. Assignments vary across a broad range of sectors. Those currently in high demand are technical specialists (IT, engineering, logistics, and transport), legal and medical professionals, political scientists, public information officers, administration and finance experts, and professionals with experience in development, management, humanitarian affairs, and peacekeeping. Requirements: Over 25 years old (no upper age limit); university degree or higher technical diploma; at least two years of relevant work experience in a professional background; good working knowledge of English, Spanish, or French. Specific requirements for each individual role also apply. Length of assignment: 6-12 months with the possibility of extending for 1-2 years Financial and other support: Volunteer living allowance to cover their basic needs; travel expenses; settling-in-grant; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; annual leave; resettlement allowance. Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance VEGA uses a demand-driven approach to provide volunteers where local people or host communities have requested their assistance. It is made up of 28 member organizations who place their volunteers with partner organizations to offer their expertise in agriculture and food security; enterprise development; energy and environment; financial services; tourism development; or trade and investment. Most of the assignments are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Requirements: Highly skilled experts Length of assignment: Varies from 1 week to 1 year depending on profession Financial and other support: Round-trip coach airfare, passport and visas, lodging, meals and incidentals, immunizations, supplemental health insurance, and emergency medical evacuation if required for overseas assignments Voluntary Service Overseas VSO is a United Kingdom development charity offering long-term placements for experienced professionals. Their mission is to bring people together to fight poverty and they work across eight sectors, namely medical and health care; teaching and education; business, management, and IT; engineering and technical; community and social work; agriculture and natural resource; communications and fundraising; and advocacy, policy, and research. Requirements: Experienced professional of any age with three years’ experience in your field, a degree or equivalent qualification, and who is fit, healthy, and able to pass a criminal record check. Length of assignment: 6-24 months Financial and other support: Medical checks; program and language training; allowance and accommodation; minimum three weeks annual leave; comprehensive medical insurance; work visas; return flights; required immunizations and antimalarials. Winrock International Winrock offer overseas volunteer placements for skilled professionals to lend their time and expertise to those who need it in other countries. They are a U.S. based organization working on social, agricultural, and environmental issues globally. From farmers to GIS experts and PhD graduates, Winrock requires a vast range of volunteers for their relatively short volunteer roles. They have projects in 58 different countries and are funded mostly by USAID. Requirements: Qualifications dependent on the specific project. Length of assignment: 2-6 weeks Financial and other support: Provide travel expenses including the costs of passports, flights, visas, and required immunizations; housing; meals; and incidental expenses covered by Winrock’s travel assistance. World Friends KOIKA Volunteers In 2009, the Korean government combined all of its overseas volunteer programs to create World Friends Korea. Because of this, they offer a great range of volunteer opportunities spanning all ages and experience levels. They provide services in 50 sectors ranging from youth volunteers to IT and senior experts and even Taekwondo Peace Corps. Their KOICA Volunteers program sends volunteers abroad for two-year stints and is aimed at sharing Korea’s development experience with developing countries. Over half of volunteer placements are in Asia, but they also have projects in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Requirements: Korean nationals over 20 years of age. Length of assignment: 2 years Financial and other support: Round-trip airfares; moving expenses; funds for adaptation and returning; transition funds to assist volunteers’ return home (up to $8,400, dependent on length of service); up to $2,000 for materials to implement their projects; 24/7 international SOS medical consultations. weltwärts Weltwärts is the German government’s initiative sending volunteers abroad to assist with development projects, as well as funding volunteers from partner countries to do development work in Germany (South-North Volunteers). The program was founded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2008 and is aimed at young people. Most German volunteers have just finished school and volunteer with partner organizations in the education sector, although there are also opportunities in health, environment, agriculture, culture, and human rights. South-North Volunteers tend to be placed in the social sector working with children, adolescents, people with disabilities, or seniors. Requirements: German Volunteers: youth ages 18-28, additional selection criteria for specific placements coordinated between the sending and hosting organizations. South-North Volunteers: youth ages 18-29; a basic working knowledge of the German language; vocational training, a school degree or comparable experiences; prior involvement in the partner organization or another NGO; residency permit. (This branch of the program is still in its pilot stage until 2019). Length of assignment: 6-24 months Financial and other support: At least 24 service-free days of vacation per year; insured in the German social security system; living allowance; accommodation; meals; and a personal mentor.