Volunteer programs in Europe. Volunteer programs abroad: how to leave. What should be a volunteer

Volunteer projects

The cost of a short-term program (from 5 to 23 days) exists in 2 options:

	Economy package	Package Standard
Manager's consultation
Access to the full database of projects
Making an invitation from the host
Accommodation and meals
Individual selection of projects (up to 5 projects are selected according to your wishes)	❌
Assistance in obtaining visa documents	❌
Assistance in booking and purchasing air tickets	❌
Coordinator support throughout the project 24/7	❌
Price	9900 rub.	18900 rub.

The price does not include:

• airfare
• medical insurance

And also:

• Program duration: short-term projects last 2 - 3 weeks, long-term - up to 1 year. Programs start all year round.
• Housing for volunteers provided completely free of charge. These can be hostels, campsites, bungalows or apartments.
• Out of duty sports events, meetings with local residents are usually held, and excursions to local attractions are organized on weekends.
• Volunteers abroad get acquainted with the national cuisine, participate in local festivals and holidays, learn about the traditions and customs of other peoples.

What are volunteer projects?

Volunteer projects abroad are divided into areas: historical projects, environmental volunteering abroad, restoration projects, assistance in organizing festivals and others:

• This is also concern for the environment: cleaning the territory, cleaning rivers, protecting animals, planting trees, building eco-villages, etc.
• Social volunteering of students abroad in different countries of the world - are you sociable and active? Do you like to help people and always be in the center of events? Then social volunteering is for you! This is the implementation of social projects, assistance in organizing services, leisure and creativity, as well as various social work.
• Sports volunteering - for people practicing an active lifestyle and loving everything related to sports, this type of volunteering is suitable, where you can participate in organizing sports events, hold sports games and coordinate project participants
• International volunteering - volunteering-journey for people who speak several languages ​​​​and who want to gain tremendous experience in the practice of their knowledge, it will be a great pleasure to help people from all over the world in organizing international volunteer projects, participate in social activities and a wide variety of events
• Ecological volunteering - if you are a nature lover and you like to work in the fresh air, environmental volunteering abroad is what you need. It includes landscaping, garbage collection in reserves, participation in excursions and landscaping.
• Pedagogical volunteering - everyone who wants to gain new knowledge and apply it in pedagogical practice will be able to work in schools and kindergartens, where leisure activities are organized, games and various events for children are organized
• Event volunteering of students - what could be more interesting than attending an event, attending a festival or having fun at a concert? Only the organization of all of the above! Become a participant in event volunteering and visit the most exciting events as an organizer
• Cultural volunteering - cultural volunteering is becoming more and more popular every year. After all, this is a chance to touch history, participate in the restoration of architectural monuments and see with your own eyes the most beautiful places of culture.
• Medical volunteering is one of the most responsible types of volunteering, which includes assistance in medical organizations, cooperation with medical staff, work with people, as well as gaining invaluable experience in the medical field
• Art volunteering - created specifically for creative and active project participants. It involves work in museums, theaters, houses of culture, exhibitions and galleries.
• Traveling and student volunteering at the school - if you love children and want to spend as much time with them as possible - welcome to the school! Volunteering in schools is a very responsible, but fun and interesting project, which includes organizing leisure activities for schoolchildren, holding events, hiking and various games

Do you like to travel a lot, meet new people and work for the benefit of society? Do you dream of distant and mysterious countries? Do you want to experience a foreign culture and learn something new? If you are tired of everyday life and you need a change of scenery, then the program of international volunteering abroad is an excellent choice!

Volunteering is helping those in need without pursuing personal gain. This is a job for those who want to make the world a better place. Volunteering abroad is of great interest, because it allows you to travel the world and practice foreign languages. Volunteer projects operate on various continents. The article provides information on how to get into the ranks of volunteers, what programs are available and a list of documents for traveling abroad.

To participate in volunteer projects, a volunteer center is visited. In 2019, some programs offer direct contact with the employer.

Those who want to help free of charge must meet the following requirements:

1. Choose a program that interests you.
2. Download the form on the website of the center, fill it out and send it by e-mail.
3. Answering the question about the place of work, choose one camp and indicate its name.

When joining the ranks of volunteers, a membership fee is paid. To go as a volunteer to another country, the volunteer needs to pay for the flight to and from the place of work.

Requirements for a volunteer

Volunteering cannot be viewed as a vacation abroad. This is hard work that requires excellent health from the candidate.

The volunteer must be at least 18 years old and have the following qualities:

1. Have a meaningful idea of ​​the main idea of ​​the project in particular and volunteering in general.
2. Friendliness and energy.
3. Organization.
4. Proficiency in foreign languages.
5. Ability to make important decisions in difficult situations.
6. Independence and responsibility.

Notable volunteer programs

Among the volunteer programs, there are those that attract many volunteers and are known to many, these are:

1. 1. conservation volunteers. This is the Australian and New Zealand movement. Its participants are offered work in groups that fight for the conservation of nature and promote the development of ecotourism. The cost of participating in the project is relatively low: about $100 per week.

Planting in Australia.

1. 1. Turtle Teams. A movement that is made up of small groups of volunteers. Their task is to visit the beaches in order to help the turtles.

1. 1. "Guides for the Holidays" This is a European project that invites volunteer guides for groups of tourists. They are provided with accommodation, meals and the opportunity to travel around Europe with the groups they will accompany.
   2. Appalachian Trail Conference. This is a mountain trail 3500 kilometers long. This area is home to endangered animal species. The task of volunteers is to help in the construction of the trail, while preserving nature.

Volunteers on the Appalachian Trail in the USA.

1. 1. Help Exchange. This is a program where participants look for helpers in various activities, from teaching to gardening.

Aid Exchange Program.

1. 1. UN Volunteers. Those who wish are invited to participate in various areas of life: learning to read and write, installing water and electricity. Almost all vacancies are for specialists who are professionals in their field. The bulk (40%) of volunteers work in Africa.

Increasing literacy in African countries.

1. 1. Move Nepal. This organization invites people with fluency in English. Their task is language teaching, community service, assistance in monasteries and orphanages.

Helping children from an orphanage in Nepal.

Programs 2019

In 2019, the list of countries that need volunteer assistance includes 193 states. Among them there are even those on whose territory hostilities are taking place.

The volunteer movement in Europe is looking for young people willing to work for free and interested in learning the language of the country that accepts volunteers.

Volunteering in the United States is environmentally oriented, and also has a cultural, historical or humanitarian focus.

Those who choose ecology will have to protect the environment. Among the assistance required, the priority is the care of national reserves.

For people who are not indifferent to history, projects of a cultural and historical orientation are suitable. By choosing one of them, the volunteer will participate in restoration work with historical monuments in the United States.

Humanitarians will be offered employment in the form of working with children who have difficulties in communicating with others.

The 2019 Americas Program features not only volunteering in the US, but also projects in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.

Volunteers who are attracted to volunteering in Africa can choose projects in Cameroon, Ghana, Ethiopia or Kenya.

Asia needs volunteer help in 2019 in India, Mongolia, Palestine, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Price

In 2019, the average price for participation in the program was 390 euros, it is due to the need to:

1. Prepare the necessary paperwork.
2. Camp search.
3. Providing access to hot water.

In addition to this amount, you will have to pay for the services of a volunteer center, a consular fee for a visa, insurance and air tickets.

Depending on the chosen program, food is provided or not provided. This issue has been clarified beforehand.

Required documents

Depending on the chosen route, the list of required documents also changes. If the trip is arranged through a volunteer center, then the employees provide the necessary list.

Those who independently apply for participation in the program read the requirements on the project website.

Video about obtaining an EVS visa for Russian and Ukrainian volunteers:

The list of papers that are necessary for obtaining a visa depends on the choice of the country.

USA, England or Canada, it takes a lot of time when compared to obtaining permission to enter the Schengen area. Participation in projects in Canada involves the collection of certificates and papers for a visa six months or earlier.

Japan and England issue visas within 2-4 weeks when visiting the embassy in person.

To open a visa to America, be prepared for a personal interview at the embassy, ​​during which the candidate talks about the motive for the trip.

Volunteering is a movement that is supported by the government, so the chances of getting a visa are high.

How to get a place in projects

Participation in projects lasts all year round, but the program database is updated by the organizers at the end of January. Therefore, at this time there are many interesting projects.

Participation in the preparation of public events, music festivals, social projects is in demand. To get a place, it is not enough to apply, it is important to present yourself correctly.

The condition for submitting an application is a motivation letter, which indicates why a person visits the program. When writing it, declare yourself as a purposeful, sociable, responsive person.


How to pass the interview:

Work abroad is not paid, but volunteers are provided with a place to sleep and the opportunity to see the world, get acquainted with the cultures of the countries they visit, communicate with foreigners and learn the language.

Today, international organizations and charitable foundations offer volunteer programs for almost every taste: doing a good deed, you can get an exciting experience and at the same time get to know a new country. In most cases, the rules are the same for everyone: the volunteer is invited to buy a ticket on their own and take money for personal expenses, and the organizers take care of accommodation and everything necessary for life. Some programs do not offer free placement, but this is the exception rather than the rule. We have collected 10 of the most interesting programs in Russia and beyond for those who are open to new experiences.

Help for children in Moscow

In order to do a good deed, it is not necessary to travel far: the Danilovtsy volunteer movement organizes collective trips to orphanages and children's clinics. A volunteer can independently choose a suitable time and location — for example, a group of volunteers goes to the Morozov Children's Hospital every Wednesday from 18:45 to 20:30. The main task of the volunteer is not to let the child get bored, so everything is used: modeling, drawing, and origami art. True, before meeting, Danilovites strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with important rules.

Ecological marathon "360 minutes" in the Baikal region

En+ Group's 360 Minutes All-Russian Volunteer Ecological Marathon is a new version of a large-scale campaign aimed at improving the tourist environment. Now the environmental campaign is supported by Oleg Deripaska's Volnoe Delo Foundation. The name speaks for itself - each volunteer donates 360 minutes of their time to the improvement of the region. In addition to garbage collection, volunteers will also help plant trees, clean up ecopaths and rocks. During its existence, the field of activity of volunteer groups has grown to an impressive scale: now the eco-marathon is held in Yakutia, the Irkutsk region, the Altai Territory and in several republics. By the way, this year active marathons can present their own environmental project as part of the event. The action will take place on September 9, and registration is already open.

Become an animator at the events of the House with a Lighthouse hospice

Every week, the children's hospice "House with a lighthouse" for children and parents: holidays for families, master classes and educational seminars. The House with a Lighthouse is constantly in need of help - for example, those who are interested in working with children are offered by the organizers to become an animator at weekly children's parties. However, there are other options for those who are not yet confident in their own abilities. For example, you can start by registering participants, handing out treats to children, and helping guests with various issues. Before taking part in a charity event, the volunteer will have to pass an interview with one of the hospice workers, as well as attend several preparatory seminars.

in French wineries

For the Benefit of the Women of Costa Rica

Finally, we decided to talk about the socially significant volunteer program offered by the international organization GVI. Anyone who cares about gender inequality in Third World countries can work for the benefit of women in Costa Rica. Before leaving for Central America, volunteers will have to take a short course in the basics of social entrepreneurship. In the foreseeable future, volunteers will pass on the knowledge gained to the women of Costa Rica. The organizers hope that in this way it will be easier for women to speak openly about their ideas and start developing their own business. Everyone chooses the duration of the practice, the organization waits for volunteers all year round.

Someone said that volunteering is a way of life. There is a rational grain in this statement, since a person who wants to help the world to the best of his ability cannot live in any other way.

A few years ago, it was believed that volunteering was only selfless help to those who suffer all over the world. Nobody disputes this truth. But today, volunteering allows you not only to satisfy your desire to help someone who needs it, but also to have a good time in an interesting environment.

A person who is interested in volunteering should be prepared for the fact that this work is not paid and thus it will not work to improve his financial situation.

Volunteering is a way of life. Young people who decide to go to one of the developing countries and work there for free work for the sake of gaining experience, communication, and, of course, for help.

However, volunteering is often the first step to a well-paid job. Since working sincerely, from the heart, a person has a great opportunity to prove himself from the best side.
In this regard, volunteering involves the participation of adolescents who are 17 years old.

It is important to remember that a potential volunteer who decides to go abroad pays all the expenses himself.

Primary activity

Volunteer organizations that are constantly in need of fresh strength in 2019 carry out activities related to:

1. Restoration work.
2. environmental projects.
3. Organization of cultural and educational events.
4. Archaeological excavations.
5. Fight against dangerous diseases.

Program Features

Today there are a variety of volunteer programs. In European countries, participants are mainly required to carry out restoration and construction and repair work. Everyone who wants to take an active part in the restoration of an ancient monastery or castle can always go to France or the Scandinavian countries.

Detailed map of Scandinavian countries

A person who is a teacher by vocation and speaks excellent English can go to third world countries to teach children or participate in organizing holidays for toddlers and teenagers. A medical student who is not afraid of terrible African diseases can take part in the treatment of children and women in a hospital in Nepal.

Some volunteer programs are designed for creative and creative individuals. So, artists who have a pedagogical tact and love for children can go as a drawing teacher to Jamaica.

A person who gravitates towards the theater will certainly visit Romania with pleasure and plunge into work with local actors. Those who wish to help journalism can go to Moldova.

Volunteering in the UK is mainly devoted to environmental issues. German volunteer organizations work with adolescents with communication difficulties, as well as children with disabilities.

How to become a volunteer to work abroad

In order to start your volunteer activities abroad, you need to contact the appropriate center. In 2019, in addition to various institutions organizing the work of volunteers abroad, you can contact the employer directly.

Volunteering is good because every person has the opportunity to do what he likes the most and enjoy it. The only condition is that you will have to work for free, and this work is sometimes completely hard labor, often associated with a risk to life.

Moreover, a person who wants to join the volunteer movement pays for the trip and the membership "mite" on his own. There is also a nice bonus. So, a person who is not afraid of the prospect of working completely free of charge has the right to rest organized by the employer.

Instruction

A person interested in "how to become a volunteer" in Russia or abroad should know that:

• first you need to decide on the program;
• then you need to download and fill out a questionnaire, which you need to send by e-mail (the address is usually available on the site);
• in the camp selection point, you need to specify only one camp.

memo

A person who is attracted to volunteering should keep the following in mind:

• the first days, as in any other workplace, are given for adaptation, so you should not judge yourself strictly and consider that the decision to try yourself in the volunteer field was reckless;
• it is realistic to overcome the language barrier only after a few weeks (this does not apply to people who speak a foreign language well);
• The rules in the labor camp are the same for everyone.

What should be a volunteer

Volunteering abroad, as well as in Russia, has standard requirements for participants:

1. Age - from eighteen years.
2. Understanding the idea and meaning of volunteering is a must.
3. Responsibility and independence.
4. Friendliness and activity.
5. Ability to make decisions even in critical situations.
6. Good health.
7. Organization.

Agree - most people around think that traveling around the world is always very expensive. However, there is a great way to travel almost for free - this is volunteer work. Although you need to make a reservation - this option is not suitable for everyone, but only for positive and not lazy people.

On the picture: volunteers rescuing turtles is an interesting and difficult task

"Turtle Teams" are scattered in dozens of countries, members of volunteer teams constantly move around the world as part of their projects. People come together to help sea turtles and other marine animals that are on the verge of extinction. Good diving skills are a must for volunteers this direction.

2. Volunteers through the Help Exchange

In the photo: volunteers choose the place and type of work themselves

On the Help Exchange site, you can view lists of all hosts around the world who need additional labor. As a result, the volunteer will be able to live in a new unusual place, well, and slowly work in construction, in the hotel business or in agriculture. It is worth negotiating with European hosts in advance.

3. Conservation Volunteers: Australian volunteers

In the photo: volunteers look after the cleanliness of the coast of Australia

Australian voluntary conservationists are making a real difference in improving the nature of the "green continent". The range of tasks of volunteers is work on the protection of nature (coast, islands, parks), as well as the development of ecotourism, mainly in Australia. The British version of the foundation is BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), www.btcv.org.uk.

4. Volunteer teachers from the Sudan Volunteer Program

(www.svp-uk.com)
Do you know English? Then you can arrange a very unusual trip for yourself. The volunteer program is focused on teaching children and students of Sudan a foreign language.

5. Appalachian Helpers: Appalachian Trail Conference Center

In the photo: maintaining the famous “Appalachian Trail” in order is a difficult and exciting business.

Volunteers from across America have been working for years on a project to preserve 250,000 acres of green land in the Appalachian mountains, from Maine to Georgia. A lot of work in the fresh air - volunteers become builders, guides, rangers, help environmentalists, etc. :)

6. Peace Corps Universal Soldiers Volunteers

(www.peacecorps.gov)

In the photo: volunteers are not afraid of any work

Peace Corps Volunteers - an analogue of the Soviet "construction teams". For many young Europeans, this is an interesting opportunity to live and work in a new country, in unusual conditions. Volunteers participate in projects, working in various fields - from healthcare to saving the environment, etc. In addition to this organization, there is also an American project VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas - Voluntary Services Overseas) www.vso.org.uk.

7. United Nations Volunteers

Pictured: UN volunteers helping in Indonesia

These UN Volunteers specialize in emergencies and extreme events. Volunteers are the first to respond to natural disasters, social phenomena and various non-standard situations, saving people and providing assistance in various situations. Work for the most fearless and caring people.

8. Volunteers or agritourists from WWOOF

Pictured: Volunteers work on a farm in Greece

There is a kind of townspeople who from time to time are drawn closer “to the ground”. There is always an opportunity for them to work on farms. Farmers who ask for volunteer help provide them with housing and food in return. The site has a directory of countries and farmers. Volunteer - agritourist needs to choose a place and agree on the terms and conditions of stay. Today the WWOOF exchange cooperates with farmers from 53 countries. True, registration in wwoof is paid.

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